Jimmy Farrar Biography

Date of Birth:  December  8 1950

Place of Birth:  LaGrange, Georgia

Early musical influences: ": I started singing as a child to the radio and we had a maid who had a stack of 78 records, people like BB King, John Lee Hooker and all the blues greats and I would sing along with those records. I was maybe four at the time. And I sang in church like every one else."

Musical Influences: "I did not care much for the Beatles, I was in to the Blues and Motown."

Before Hatchet:

Played with a band called "Raw Energy" from around 1974 – 79. Was in Daytona Beach in February, 1980 and met Rocky Manbrettie, an ex- Molly Hatchet roadie. Jimmy gave him a job with him.

Rocky suggested that Jimmy make a tape and send it to Pat Armstrong (Molly Hatchet manager)

Pat asked Jimmy to sign with him (without his band) - Jimmy knew something was up, but didn’t yet know about Danny Joe Brown’s health.

Pat Armstrong played the tape to Tom Werman (Molly Hatchet's producer) – Tom says " hire Jimmy Farrar to sing  for Hatchet"

Pat phones Jimmy Farrar  to say go to Macon for a gig – eventually gives in and tells him its with Hatchet

First rehearsed with Hatchet at "The Warehouse" in Macon, Ga. Overheard Steve Holland say "We are wasting time here. Tell him to pack his bags and let's go to Jacksonville."

Dave Hlubek later asked him if he was ready to join, to which Jimmy said "Is a hog's ass ham?"

Famously, the first time Dave phoned Jimmy and said "This is Dave Hlubek of Molly Hatchet" legend has it that Jimmy replied "Molly WHO??"

Resume of career with Molly Hatchet:

Danny Joe Brown’s last gig (with Jimmy Farrar backstage) was at the Tangerine Bowl in Orlando with Bob Seger, with 65,000 fans

Jimmy: "The fans went crazy. They knew who I was and they accepted me right off and it was a great show - one of our best. There were very few places where folks were not happy but not many and it was a wonderful time for me."

The first song Jimmy wrote with the band was "The Rambler".

When Jimmys son was born, he only got one day with him before going back out with Molly Hatchet. Eventually chose to stay and raise his family, so left.

He played his first show with Hatchet on May 9,1980 at Kings Dominon amusement park in Virginia, his last was May 9, 1982 at Six Flags in Atlanta,Ga.

Since leaving Hatchet...

Jimmy contacted Riff West and suggested they perform some type of benefit for Danny. This evolved into Jammin' for DJB.

Played with a band called "Predator" for six years, then moved to his favourite band "Section 8"

Jimmy says that if the original Hatchet reformed he would rejoin like a shot if asked.

Jimmy also occasionally guests with SRA - he performs on SRA's "Danger Road" album

At New Year 2003, the Southern Rock Allstars announced that Jimmy Farrar had joined as their official full time front man.

Latest news is that Jimmy has signed on for a project involving six classic members of Hatchet; himself, Riff West, Steve Holland, Duane Roland, Bruce Crump and Bruce's bandmate from Daddy-Oh, guitarist Linne Disse (who replaces Dave Hlubek in the bands plans). They have named themselves after their classic song..."Gator Country Band" and kick off their career in style opening for Lynyrd Skynyrd on March 12 2005 in Orlando, FLA