Jim Mathis

Friday, July 6, 2012

After Taxes Band Launch Party


Almost eight years ago, some friends and I put together a Christian blues band called Sky Blue. Sky Blue has been one of the great joys and successes in my life. We have now played over 150 dates and expect to do many more. We just keep getting better all the time. 

But my deep background is country. I’m just a country boy at heart. My dad was a country singer who would remind you a lot of Merle Haggard. My early influences were mainly Grand Ole Opry people from the fifties and sixties.

Recently I decided that rather than try to take Sky Blue in a more country direction, I needed to start another, totally new band that would play not only some of the songs I grew up with, but original music that would take advantage of the influences that are dear to me. They tell me I sound like Johnny Cash and I love Marty Stuart. Waylon Jennings opened my ears and I can’t remember a time without Bob Wills. Lynyrd Skynyrd and Marshall Tucker made a big impression on me as well. 

I found some other guys who were sympathetic to the cause and “After Taxes” was born. We are going to have a band launch party on Friday, July 20 at the Oakshire Clubhouse at 95th & Nieman. This is just across the street east from the Oak Park Mall. The address is: 9555 Nieman Place, Overland Park, KS 66214. Food and drink will be provided and we will start playing around 8:00, so come around 7:30.

Please RSVP so we will have an idea of how much food to get. We will pass the hat to cover expenses.