06/18/2026
A Toast to Jim Tom
As Hillbilly Jam rolls 'round again,
And the mountains call our names,
We'll gather where the laughter lives
And remember the man who helped shape these days.
The hills seem just a little quieter now,
Though his stories still drift on the breeze.
From Maggie Valley to Graham County roads,
His spirit still rides these mountain trees.
Jim Tom wasn't famous because he chased it.
Fame found him right where he stood.
A moonshiner, a storyteller, a still maker,
A mountain man through and through, as good as they come and then some.
He opened the world's eyes to these ridges and hollers,
Showing folks the beauty tucked deep in these hills.
Through his craft, his wisdom, and that unforgettable grin,
He carried Appalachian traditions with pride and skill.
He never met a stranger, folks often say,
And those words ring truer every year.
Whether you knew him for a lifetime
Or only for a moment, he made you feel welcome here.
He spent decades perfecting a craft he loved,
Becoming one of the most respected moonshiners in the South.
Yet what mattered most wasn't what came from the still,
It was the stories, the friendships, and the lessons passed down.
He believed knowledge was meant to be shared,
Not locked away like some hidden treasure.
So he taught a new generation, hand to hand,
Making sure the old ways would endure forever.
Cancer may have taken him from these mountains in 2023,
But it could never take what he left behind.
His legacy lives in every story retold,
Every friendship made, and every memory kept alive.
As Hillbilly Jam 2026 approaches,
We celebrate a little louder, laugh a little longer, love a little deeper because of him.
We remember how much he loved these mountains,
How much he loved Maggie Valley,
And most of all, how much he loved people.
The truth is, legends don't leave.
They live on in the stories shared around campfires,
In the laughter echoing through festival grounds,
And in the hearts of those fortunate enough to have crossed their path.
So here's to Jim Tom.
One of the best.
Different from all the rest.
A mountain legend.
A master storyteller.
A friend.
And forever part of the Hillbilly Jam family.
We'll save a seat for you, old friend.
Until we meet again.
