We recently connected with Jimi Davies and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jimi , thanks for joining us today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

Happy is myopic. A regular job is an impossibilty for me. The idea of happiness has always intigued me. The idea of “The pursuit of happiness…” is in our Declaration of Independence. At the time, it didn’t mean chasing happiness but actually practicing or achieving happiness. As artists, who decide to “make a living” via their art, we quite literally declare our independence from a “regular job” or “normal career”. We don’t actually “make a living”, we opt to live a life. We live a life of expression, experience, communication and collaboration. It seems to me that “The pursuit of happiness…” , too, is myopic. I don’t want to pursue happiness nor do I want to dwell in it. Eternal happiness would simply become tedium. I want to experience all. Happiness, sorrow, joy, regret and every other emotion are what artists truly pursue. So to answer the questions more pointedly, “Are you happy as an artist or creative?” Sure. Occasionally. I think better adjectives would be periodically contented or fulfilled or grateful. “Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to have a regular job?”, Sure, Occasionally. And, when I wonder about it, I usually realize that I am simply not usual and a regular job, for me, would make me feel irregular.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a musician, artist and magazine publisher.

I started playing music in my preteens. I graduated highschool and immediately moved out to persue a life of music. I have always played original music. My first band 10XBig performed from 1987-1991. We toured the east coast and opened for bands like Psychedlic Furs, The Smithereens, Violent Femmes and Flock of Seagulls while playing clubs like the original 9:30 Club, The Bayou, Hammerjacks, CBGB’s, THe 40 Watt Club and many others. I am the lead singer/guitarist/songwriter for the band Jimmie’s Chicken Shack. I started a record label Fowl records and our band was eventually signed to Elton John’s Rocket Records. We also we signed to Island/DefJam and Koch Records. We have released 7 records in 30 years and toured the U.S. and Europe. J.C.S. had 2 top 10 hits in 2 different radio formats for their 2 world wide major label releases. We had two videos on MTV, I also play in the local Maryland bands Jarflys and Mend The Hollow. I am a visual artist who works in paint and mixed media and has done many paintings, prints, murals and child mentoring camps. I am the owner, creative director and publisher of Upstart Annapolis Magazine which is a high quality quarterly arts and culture magazine named The Official Magazine of the Arts and Entertainment District of Annapolis. Up.St.Art Annapolis was given a special recognition award by Folio Ozzie and Eddie Awards: for Best Design Team of the Year in 2019. I was appointed to the board of the Annapolis Arts District in the summer of 2020.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

To live. To love. To commune. To experience. To help people realize they are not alone in this experience.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Living, loving, communing, inspiring, mentoring and experiencing. The reward is the journey, all of it. It is knowing that I was as true to myself as I can be and that the moment before I pass into the next realm of existence that I will wholeheartdly utter the words, “Well, that was fun.”

Contact Info:

• Website: [email protected]
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/realjimihaha , www.instagram.com/jimmieschickenshack , www.instagram.com/upstartannapolis
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/jimihaha , www.facebook.com/JimmiesChickenShack , www.facebook.com/UpstartAnnapolis
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/@JimmiesChickenShack420 , www.youtube.com/@jimihaha

Image Credits
haha – David Burroughs mi – David Burroughs Mi@ArtFarm2 – Alison Harbaugh Bar of soap in mouth – Scott Rex Ely