Welcome, Jimi Blacksheep, AKA James A. Bourne, musical artist. His mantra: sounding good and looking good. His alter ego, his stage persona, is Jimi Blacksheep, and his life has been a musical journey. Now in his 60s, this transplanted New Bedford, Massachusetts, resident is most at home busking on the streets, entertaining pedestrians with his vast catalog of covers and original songs.

Jimi Blacksheep has been taking his dream to the streets for quite some time, and he continues to do it with style. He regularly commutes to Boston to entertain pedestrians with his catalog of covers and original songs on the city’s sidewalks. It's just Jimi, his guitar, voice, amplifier, and another page in his continuing musical journey.

Jimi spoke with The Artists Index’s cofounder, documentarian, and podcast host, Ron Fortier, recently after meeting him at an AHA! event. Ron asked him to talk about his passion, his life, and his journey as a working musician. This episode was recorded at our recording studio at Spectrum Marketing Group at Howland Place in New Bedford.

Jimi Blacksheep

(AKA James A. Bourne)

New Bedford, MA 02746

774 271-5179

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In Episode Seven, our Gallery X Documentation Project podcast host Sean FitzGerald speaks with Matthew Ryckebusch, musician and ESOL instructor at UMass Dartmouth Workers’ Education Program for over 20 years. Matt, AKA Gaston Jethro, is the vocalist and bass player in the popular South Coast musical group, The Jethros! He is an associate member and an important part of the evolution of Gallery X.

Matthew joins Sean's other guests in contributing his memories to the Gallery X Documentation Project and discusses his part in the gallery's growth. Gallery X is integral to New Bedford and the South Coast creative community.

PHOTO CREDIT: UMass Dartmouth

About Gallery X

The gallery was founded in 1990 and is a contemporary, cooperative art gallery of visual, performing, and literary artist members and volunteers. Gallery X has served as an incubator for emerging artists and is a venue for established artists. It is a platform for local artists, performers, and creatives of all ages, skill levels, and backgrounds to showcase their talents as an integral part of the South Coast‘s community.

This eight-episode podcast series supports and documents the overall project and provides historical and background information about the gallery and the progress made to date. The Gallery X Documentation Project will reach out to listeners and anyone seeking information about historical or contemporary artists from the South Coast's creative community.

The Artists Index offers listeners up-close and personal conversations with the artists, supporters, and cultural impresarios of South Coast's creative community. Listen to the artists talk about their work, backgrounds, passions, dreams, and accomplishments. Also featured are those who work in or manage the creative community’s economy, promotion, and cultural agenda.

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