His first job playing music was at WROL radio in Knoxville, Tennessee at age 18. From there he moved on to WSM radio's Grand Ole Opry where he played with such artists as Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys; Little Jimmy Dickens; Hylo Brown and others.In 1961, he formed his own first group, the Louisiana Honeydrippers making two record albums, one for Folk Lyric Records and Prestige International.

In 1962, he along with Harold and Betty Thom formed a folk/bluegrass group, The Cumberlands, recording for Dot Records, Music Town Records and Starday.

In the mid 1970's Jim formed The Mountain Dew Hillbillies based in Louisville, Kentucky. The Hillbillies Played at the Old Stable Restaurant in Bardstown, Kentucky 1982 through 2003 where they played for appx. 16,000 tour bus groups that passed through during that period.

Recordings by Jim are Moonshine Sonata (1979 Blue River label); Carolina Boy (Copper Creek Records -2005); Orange Blossom Special (Round O Records-2007); Bayou Bluegrass (Arhoolie Records 1961/1972/2002); Louisiana Bluegrass (Prestige Intl.-1961); This Heart Of Mine (Round O Records 2012); Smoak House Jam (Round O Records-2013)

(www.jimsmoak.net)