The guestbook has been deactivated due to all the thousands of linkers out there who have no respect for my departed friend.

If you'd like to have a few words in here, just email me and I will add it.

Dear Forrest and other friends and family of Jim Unger,

I just found this memorial site, and I look forward to reading it. I found it after I came across a "Sweet Memories" vid on Youtube which happened to list Jim on fiddle. (He is just about invisible and inaudible in the vid, seated behind and obscured by the steel and guitar players.) This prompted me to search further, and that's how i found you.

I met Jim one time (I mean it--only one time) at a jam session in Spring Branch, Texas (Houston) at a place called, I believe, The Lone Star Cafe (but I wouldn't swear to it--coulda been the Lone Star Saloon, or even The Long Branch Saloon, etc) some time in the early 1980's, by my best recollection (I wouldn't swear to that, either. His friends and family will recall just when Jim was actually in Houston). I was completely impressed with his playing, but I especially recall his natural ability to shoot the breeze with people he had never met, and truly enjoy it. At least that's how it made me feel talking with him that evening--a Sunday, I think. We had a good time doing just that. He definitely played out of my league, and he was in great demand, as back in those days, anyone who could play at all could work weekends in or around Houston somewhere (I know this, because I was gigging as much as I wanted, and I can't play the guitar yet)--So I never had the pleasure of doing a gig with Jim Unger. (I got a feeling he could probably give his band buds one heck of a rough time on stage, in a never-a-dull-moment sorta way.) Although most musicians have come a long way since the early '80's, I recall that Jim played bluegrass and swing (not to mention pop country and anything else that came up) equally well and with nearly equal respect back then. (Y'all know that can be a rare trait among some accomplished fiddle players sometimes.)

Since then, every time we were scrambling around for a fiddle player, or even times we weren't, i thought about Jim and wondered where he was playing and how he was doing. Through the years, I checked around now and then just to see if he had a new Houston phone or address, although I knew he had said he was headed back to NC and I heard the same through the grapevine. I even tried Carolina few times, but back then ya had to know the town where a fella was listed, and so on. I remember Jim as the kind of guy you just want to call up and harass now and then, shoot the breeze and see how he's doing, if ya know what I mean.

i am saddened to see that this fine fellow and fine musician has passed on. I look forward to reviewing the website, and am sorry that it is a memorial. I don't recall our comparative ages, but I'd guessed him to be a little younger than myself. I don't ordinarily have this level of recollection of some picker I only talked with once and never shared a bandstand with. He made a large impression as a musician, a person, and a guy who would have been a fine friend of mine if he had stuck around Texas. I'll bet that those of you lucky enough to have known him well are missing him severely. I extend my belated condolences to all.

Best,
Jeff in Houston

Woody Wright
What a shock. I had not seen Jim in years, but I've never forgotten the hillarious times on the road with the "Clutch Cradlock" and the "Hoglovers" as Jim so wonderfully called them. I'll never forget hearing Jim playing in the showers of every hall we played. The reverb was excellent, and so was the player. There was only one Jim, and the world has given eternity a most wonderful musician! Thanks Forest for helping us remember! Woody Wright

Forrest Carson
We will all miss you Jimmy. We will never forget the good times we had together as friends and musicians in the 70's and 80's. I will keep your site going as long as I am able.

George Colley
Thought about Jim many times over the years. Sorry to hear that he is not with us anymore.

Dustin Evans
I was browsing around the internet and was shocked to come across the news of Jim's passing. I didn't know him extremely well, but he played on two of my albums and probably eight or ten albums for my dad, Kyle Evans. Dad passed away in 2001, but had gotten to know Jim pretty well. Dad and I had talked about what a great player Jim was, and how he was always fun to be around. I guess I just want to send my condolences to Jim's family and close friends. I always looked up to him, and I'm thankful that our paths crossed, if only briefly.

John Heinrich
Jim, It was my pleasure to work with you on countless sessions and live work. As always "the Intro and Turn is yours"!

Mike Pearson
I just heard about Jims death tonight. I am blessed to have known him and blessed to have heard him use his God given talent so well! Rest in peace, the resurrection won't be long! Mike Pearson

Kay
I had the pleasure to meet Jim when I was a Cigars and Cataracs "groupie" a few times with Wanda (dock_lady) Jim made me laugh and cry with his funny facial expressions and talented music. Melissa and Dennis, I am the Michigan gal that came to Nashville a couple of times with Wanda. I am praying for you to be able to cope with the grief of his loss and move on to the beauty of all Jim was and what he did for those around him. I have many wonderful memories of his songs in my heart. I still listen to the CD's I have autographed by the big guy. God Bless You, Kay

Heath Parrish
Just want to say thank you to all the musicians. Jim was my step-dad For the past 15 years or so. I know he was admired and is probably the best fiddle player that I will ever see in my lifetime. He was a good man and an excellent artist. I'm honored to call him my step-dad.

Roger Schoolfield
Jim helped me find a guitar and get a job with him and mark chessnut in 86 after my house burned down in houston, then gave me a place to stay for $100 a week to get back on my feet. i'v known him and respected him since 79. can't say i'v had more fun with anyone than i did with jim. why come to think of it, he changed my whole direction and out-look on my career and made me enjoy playing again when i had given up..rr

BETTY & CHUCK SMITH
To a sweet guy and a very talented man who we had the pleasure of knowing and hearing his music. He'll always be in our hearts, Gone but not forgotten, he's playing for a bigger crowed now and walking with the best. To his family, deepest reguards, sorry for your loss, God Bless you. BETTY & CHUCK SMITH TOLEDO, OHIO

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