"Somehow he's part of the soul of America."
Jan Jeffries, Oakland Press

How It All Began Jim Stoltz, known far and wide as Walkin' Jim, sings his songs with a definite sense of having been there. Indeed, he has. It all began innocently enough, walking the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine. That was in 1974. After a year and a half spent walking from the Atlantic to the Pacific, folks just naturally started referring to him as "Walkin' Jim." What followed was a trek from Mexico to Canada along the Continental Divide Trail, four years of hiking his own border to border trail through Arizona, Utah, Idaho, and Montana, and yearly long walks across the remaining wildlands of America. Although his miles now total more than 26,000, it all adds up to much more than miles. It's year's of experiences, stories and songs.

Jim's Music

Jim began playing professionally around Detroit, Michigan back in the early '70s before he started the long treks. With no formal music training, Jim's roots are based solid in traditional folk music. His original songs often come out sounding more like hundred-year-old ballads. With his deep, powerful voice and basic guitar and harmonica back-ups, he sings with the assurance and sincerity of one who has something to say. Click here to hear samples of Jim's music.

Jim's Commitment

Jim's relationship with the Earth has given him a deep commitment to preserve the wilderness, protect the planet's creatures, and fight for the right to a clean and healthy environment. Walkin' Jim's music springs from the land itself. Most of his songs are written out in the wilds. Song topics range from nineteenth century mountain men, to grizzly bears and mountain lions; from rosy desert evenings, to fresh mountain rainbows. And then there's the magic of the vast land itself.

The earth's spirit and our connection with it comes through in many of Jim's songs. All in all an evening of Walkin' Jim's music is a journey into the backcountry, a world many of us have left behind. It's a glimpse into a clean, beautiful, wild place; somewhere we should return more often.

Jim's Life

Although the mountains of Montana have been his home for many years, he also spends a good part of each year on the road, singing in schools, colleges, community concerts, coffeehouses, festivals and fairs throughout the country. This includes performances on National Public Radio and television.

Leading somewhat of a double life, he'll spend months in the backcountry soaking up the solitude of the wild places and writing his songs and poetry. Then, emerging from the wilderness, he takes his show on the road and through song shares those most precious feelings that the wilderness can offer. A number of feature articles and reviews have been published about Jim and his concerts.

In Spring of 1991 Jim was awarded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Outstanding Achievement Award. The award reads: "For Sharing Nature and Wilderness with Others Across America Through Your Extraordinary Words, Images, and Music."

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