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"Once you get it in your system, you just can't quit playing!" Being a "band leader" was not what Jim Petty, Jr. imagined as a youngster growing up in El Paso. But, after being exposed to drums and Big Band swing music by his Father, the tempo was set for a career in music. Back in 1965 Jim and his Dad, Jim Petty, Sr. formed the JIM PETTY ORCHESTRA and began playing for parties, receptions, dinner dances, weddings and galas with their 16 piece jazz band. Eventually, Jim, Jr. went away to college at North Texas State University in Denton and played in the Lab Bands while working on his degree in Music Performance. In 1971, his parents moved back to Fort Worth and he and his Dad continued their musical activities. Some of their high profile events were for Moslah Shrine Temple, Senator John Tower, Bell Helicopter, Mrs. Baird's Bakery, Bob Leonard, Neiman-Marcus, Ridotta Club, Kimball Art Museum, Federal Aviation Agency, Alcon Labs, Dallas Board of Realtors, Bailando Dance Club, The Fort Worth Club, Schlitz Brewing Co., Anadarco Oil Co., Ft Worth Elks Club, and Charles Tandy. By the early 80's Jim Jr. gradually withdrew from the playing scene as his involvement with the family retail music stores required more of his time. Later, due too declining health, Jim's Dad retired from the "active end" of the music business but, still continued to play his clarinet until his passing in 2002. In 1990, a brief tour with RCA recording artist John Gary and 2 extended tours with the Les Elgart Orchestra on the Mississippi Queen riverboat re-ignited Jim's favorite passion....playing drums. As he became more involved with the local music scene again, different opportunities arose and by 1995 Jim was playing with the Charlie Patteson Orch., Winston Barney Orch., Ronnie Martin Orch., and several other groups in the DFW area as well. But, leading his own band and the re-birth of the swing style of music Jim and his Dad had started with proved to be a winning combination.. He felt the challenge of being a band leader and playing drums is such an exhilarating feeling that once you get it in your system, you can't quit playing. So, Jim brought together his big band again and what emerged is a swinging fresh sound to the jazz standards well known to the ballroom enthusiasts. "Playing for the Fort Worth Opera Ball puts us right in the heart of the kind of audience who appreciates great music." he said. For your next party, corporate event, wedding or gala ball, call upon THE FABULOUS JIM PETTY ORCHESTRA and let them swing your party until dawn with the finest of Big Band swing music from the Sinatra, Goodman, Basie, Ellington and Dorsey years.
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