OBIT From St Augustine Fl paper
JAMES R. ‘JIMBO’ ESSERY
James R. “Jimbo” Essery, age 61, of St. Augustine, passed away on May 18, 2016, at the Bailey Family Center, surrounded by his family. Born and raised in Saugus, Massachusetts, Jim was a graduate of Saugus High School and moved to St. Augustine in 1976. Jim was a talented self-taught musician. He performed with bands for over 40 years as the front man and as a sideman. He toured with Gregg Allman, The Greg Allman Band, and The Allman Brothers in the late seventies and into the early eighties. He has performed on stage with most of the greats of Southern Rock which included: Charlie Daniels Band, Bonnie Bramlett, Derek Trucks, members of Molly Hatchett, Lynyrd Skynryd, The Outlaws, Hank Williams Jr., and Marshall Tucker. Other groups with whom he performed or bands that he started includes: the Vibratones, the Southern Eagle Band, Rotagilla Band. Jim’s last project: The Jim Essery Band is an electric – acoustic band. Jim sings, tells stories and performs with his guitar and harmonicas. In St. Augustine, Jim was a local legend. He was loved and appreciated by his peers and fans. Jim was also an avid fisherman, grill master and cook. He was especially known for his Minorcan clam chowder and salsa. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.
He is survived by his companion, Sharon Graham of St. Augustine; his mother, Norma Carver of Jacksonville; brothers, Benton J. “B. Jay” Carver, and his wife, Tracie, William B. “Billy” Carver and John David “JD” Carver, all of Jacksonville, FL; a sister, Lori Scott, and her husband, Ronald, of Manchester, NH; a son, Eric Essery and a daughter, Lisa Essery; as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
A celebration of Jim’s life will be held from 5 to 9 on Sunday, June 12, 2016, at the Trade Winds Lounge.
St. Johns Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
The St. Augustine Record, 06/05/16
R.I.P. my friend.
Quick little remembrance. During the '79 Enlightened Rogues tour, I saw the band three times up and down the California coast. Going to college in Fullerton, I first heard of Jim when he jumped up on stage at Fullerton College to play harp along side a blues performer in the school's Auditorium...(78?--79?)...impressed as hell, I remembered his name, then ER was released and there he was on "Need your love so bad"....Then, I am in the parking lot at the Forum in L.A. in May of '79 before the Brothers show and word was getting around to all of we Tailgaters that Jim was there as well. I can remember a couple of my buddies asking "Who is Jim Essery"?...It was cool being able to explain to them what a treat it was going to be, hearing a great harp player with the ABB again....I shared these two stories w/Jim right after he accepted my friend request on FB...
He is already missed.
