Jim “Texas Shorty” Chancellor plays the fiddle and a variety of other instruments in all genres of music, but is most recognized for his long time success in the style of Texas Oldtime Fiddling. Jim started learning the mandolin at age seven, and a chance meeting with the legendary fiddler Benny Thomasson when Jim was thirteen influenced him to begin fiddling, leaning tunes note for note at Benny’s knee.
Jim has won or placed in virtually every major fiddle competition in the United States, and held the title of Texas State Fiddle Champion, Inductee into the Texas State Fiddler’s Hall of Fame, World Champion Fiddler, and the coveted Grand Master’s in Nashville Tennessee. He has made numerous recordings, appearing with such greats as Sam Bush, John Hartford, and Mark O’Connor. He has played various venues, and has appeared on movie soundtracks and television commercials.
Currently living in Rockwall, Texas, Jim performs with his band, Lone Star Strings.