Musician. He was a guitar flat picker, best remembered for being a member of the duo "Jim and Jesse", one of the most durable and influential brother acts in bluegrass and country music. In 1947, with his brother Jesse Lester, he began performing on WNVA radio in Norton, Virginia. Signed to Capital Records in 1951, their hits included "Are You Missing Me", "Cotton Mill Man", "Oh Louisiana" and "Diesel on My Tail". They were regulars on a succession of radio's "Barn Dances" series, when they became members of the Grand Ole Opry in 1964. The duo recorded albums and performed with members of the Grand Ole Opry staff band until 2001. Jim and Jesse were inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Association's Hall of Honor in 1993 and awarded the National Heritage Fellowship Award from the National Endowment for the Arts in 1997.
Musician. He was a guitar flat picker, best remembered for being a member of the duo "Jim and Jesse", one of the most durable and influential brother acts in bluegrass and country music. In 1947, with his brother Jesse Lester, he began performing on WNVA radio in Norton, Virginia. Signed to Capital Records in 1951, their hits included "Are You Missing Me", "Cotton Mill Man", "Oh Louisiana" and "Diesel on My Tail". They were regulars on a succession of radio's "Barn Dances" series, when they became members of the Grand Ole Opry in 1964. The duo recorded albums and performed with members of the Grand Ole Opry staff band until 2001. Jim and Jesse were inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Association's Hall of Honor in 1993 and awarded the National Heritage Fellowship Award from the National Endowment for the Arts in 1997.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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