HUMAN

Name: I’M ALASKA’S HOBO JIM. I’M A STATE BALLADEER FOR THE STATE OF ALASKA.
Age: 67 YEARS AND 48 OF IT HERE.
Residence: I LIVE IN SOLDOTNA, ALASKA AND I HAVE A SECOND HOME ON OCCASION IN NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE.
Occupation: I’M A PROFESSIONAL SONGWRITER, SINGER, MUSICIAN, ROUNDABOUT COWBOY
Years involved with Iditarod: THIS IS MY 37TH IDITAROD
Iditarod Role: YOU KNOW, I’M THE STATE BALLADEER, BUT I WROTE THE IDITAROD TRAIL SONG, THE OFFICIAL SONG FOR THE IDITAROD, IN 1982
Current Location: DENA’INA CONVENTION CENTER – ANCHORAGE, ALASKA
Date of Photo: FEBRUARY 28, 2019
Temperature: 62F / INDOORS

What is your Why?.. Why are you here today and involved in Iditarod?:

WELL, I LOVE THE IDITAROD AND I LOVE ALL THE MUSHERS. BUT I LOVE THE STATE OF ALASKA. AND THIS IS SUCH A GREAT PART OF OUR CULTURE; THE HONORING OF DOG MUSHING AND THE TRADITIONS OF ALASKA.

Tell me about your most rewarding experience on Iditarod?:

YOU KNOW, THE VERY FIRST IDITAROD I EVER DID UP IN NOME WAS WHEN I FIRST PLAYED THAT SONG. IT WILL ALWAYS BE MY FAVORITE. IT WAS IN THE COLORFUL DAYS OF NOME WHEN YOU HAD DOG MUSHERS LIKE HERBIE NAYOKPUK THE SHISHMAREF CANNONBALL, AND LARRY COWBOY SMITH. EVERYONE HAD NICKNAMES AND YOU HAD TO KNOW THE WILD BUNCH. IT WAS PRETTY FUN.

What do you know for sure?:

WHAT I KNOW FOR SURE IS THAT THERE’S NO BETTER PLACE THAN THE STATE OF ALASKA; NO BETTER PEOPLE THAN THE PEOPLE OF ALASKA. I LOVE THIS COUNTRY.