James Monroe McReynolds, a Grand Ole Opry member whose high, clear tenor harmonies helped sibling duo Jim & Jesse to a place among bluegrass music’s elite, was born in the Appalachian mountain town of Carfax, Virginia. McReynolds and his brother Jesse melded deeply rooted harmony singing and traditional acoustic instruments with innovative musicianship and atypical song selection. That blend carried Jim & Jesse to honors including a National Heritage Fellowship Award from the National Endowment for the Arts, a place in the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Hall of Honor and induction into the Grand Ole Opry in 1964.

The harmony of “the Virginia Boys” was exceptional, as only brothers can produce. Jim's enhanced high tenor combined with Jesse's deep lead and unique mandolin style sets this duo apart in the world of traditional music, now termed Bluegrass. Very early in their career, Jesse developed a “crosspickin-McReynolds style” technique on the mandolin, which distinguished his picking from others. Many have imitated, but few have successfully mastered this unique style of fast alterations of repeated melodic patterns.

In 1952, Jim & Jesse debuted on their first major label, Capitol Records. Since that time, they recorded for various labels including: Columbia, Epic, again for Capitol, Opryland, CMH, Rounder, and their own Old Dominion. In 1960, their first single for Columbia, “The Flame of Love” backed by “Gosh I Miss You All The Time” spent weeks climbing the top 100 national charts. “Cotton Mill Man,” “Diesel On My Tail,” “Are You Missing Me,” and “Paradise” are a few songs regarded as Jim & Jesse classics.

Their numerous honors include induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame’s “Walkway of Stars,” the Virginia Country Music Hall of Fame, IBMA’s Hall of Honor, and Bill Monroe’s Bluegrass Hall of Fame. They also received the National Heritage Fellowship Award from the National Endowment for the Arts, September 23, 1997. This is the folk and traditional art's most prestigious honor.

Jim McReynolds passed away on December 31, 2002, after a bout with cancer.

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