Jimmy was a storyteller. The stories he shared were often spun with a long windup and a humorous finale. His own life was his best source of material. Fortunately, he left us with 16 fine examples of his storytelling in his recordings for Wheels.

Jimmy was lucky. He was born to the best of parents, the Reverend John and Shirley Weston, who were always there for him and loved him unconditionally for who he was: playful, funny, bright, multi-talented, adventurous and challenging. Together with Jimmy's siblings John Mark, Carol Ann, Jeff and Susan, the Westons moved through Texas with John's career as a Methodist minister and spent weeks every summer traveling the country and camping. Jimmy was born in San Saba, Texas and lived in Lometa, Portland, Donna, Luling, Sonora and Harlingen before attending the University of Texas in Austin. He remembered his childhood as a very happy time, and particularly the years in Sonora. He talked fondly about his friends and adventures there, including times with the Alley family and his buddy Mark Gilly at the Alley Ranch and the River Dance at Camp Allison. He was active in theatre, debate, diving and band and was proud to have achieved the status of Eagle Scout. Jimmy searched for his life's path after leaving U.T. As he told it, his motorcycle broke down in Burnet, Texas and he just stayed there. He left at times for work and for many camping trips, river trips, music festivals and other vacations, but his heart remained by Inks Lake. The Kerrville Folk Festival was a second happy home.

Jimmy loved wheels. From the time that he was a kid, he was always making, modifying, buying, selling and driving all kinds of wheeled transportation, owning countless vehicles ranging from a home-made skateboard to a VW bug, a 1957 Chevy, a 1966 BMW motorcycle and an Auburn. He was known for being able to fix most mechanical problems, which was a good thing because his beloved old cars gave rise to quite a few.

Jimmy loved music. He sang and played guitar, mandolin, mandola, electric and standup bass and accordion and was in a number of bands, including Pecos, Buck Forty-Nine, The Young and the Restless and Firewater. His idea of a great party always included playing music with friends. If they weren't friends at the start of the evening, they would be by the end.

Jimmy loved his family and his many friends, who were his extended family. He was close to his whole family, and particularly to his younger brother, Jeff (pictured on the cover of "Wheels" on his skateboard), whom he led astray on many adventures. Jimmy was devastated by losing Jeff; processing that loss inspired Jimmy to write several of the songs on Wheels, including Reflections on the Water, with lyrics by Jeff. (Jimmy's notes about his songs are included in the Lyrics page of this site.) Jimmy's 24 years of marriage with Cindy Blue produced two sons, who were his greatest pride: Ty James Weston and Clay Scott Weston. He thoroughly enjoyed them and the good times that they shared. He spent his last years with his music partner, Lisa Fancher, who finished the record that he had started 11 years earlier. Jimmy's kindness, empathy and enthusiasm for life and all things fun drew people to him and led to close and lasting friendships with too many people to list them all here. He never got to meet his much-anticipated grandchildren, Caden and Grace, but they will know him through his sons, his songs and the many stories of his life. May they also know his legacy of love.


From Jimmy's notes:

How I Picture Me
Down to earth
Strong country influence as far as work ethic, foods, survival instinct, concern for fellow man, desire to do what is right and just (by my standards)
Live for today - faith in tomorrow
Don't let others think for me - dare to be ME
Lead by example - learn every day
Do unto others
Follow your heart - show your passion
Can accomplish anything I want bad enough
I Don't Worry About: Future, UFOs, religion, death, age, other people's business, money
I Do Worry About: My kids, will I do the right thing today, does my happiness infringe on my family's, am I living up to my own standards, am I meeting my own moral code
I am: Too liberal for conservatives, too conservative for liberals, too emotional, too strong, (almost) always right, proud, stubborn, argumentative, passionate, feeling, caring, loving

And that's a true story.