Jim Holopter is one of the coolest cats around. An orbiter of Midwest music circles for many moons, Diamond Jim is the founding father of KC rockabilly heavies The Rumblejetts, for whom he plays gorgeous things on gorgeous guitars. Jim and the boys have been filling dance floors for more than a decade and have recorded multiple albums at the vaunted Sun Studio in Memphis. Ladies and gentlemen, get to know Jim Holopter:

What’s the last album you listened to?
Wow I haven’t listen to a whole album in a long time, let’s see the last one was Jason and the Scorchers Fervor.

What is one album you feel everyone should listen to?
Elvis The Sun Sessions. Boy there is a lot of goodtime rockin’ on that one.

Who is one person, present or past, that you would love to collaborate/jam with?
Scotty Moore—love to see his technique up close, one on one.

Who is one person outside of music that you admire and why?
My wife Cilla.  She has always supported my music endeavors, she has motivated me in keeping to what is true, and that is making music and having fun playing it.

I picked up an Epiphone amp, maybe 10 watts, and my buddy Rob plugged his bass into it and blew the speaker after having it only for two days.

Do you read music?
I used to, played trombone for the school band. I can’t now, but it would come back slowly if I tried.

Any other obsessions/passions besides music?
I want to get back into drawing; I use to draw in a war comic book style, like Sgt. Rock and G.I. Combat. And I love collecting guitars and amps.

What was your first guitar, do you still have it?
My first guitar was a Lyle SG copy. My dad took me down the the music store—it was one of those mom and pop stores, guitars everywhere. Along with the guitar I picked up an Epiphone amp, maybe 10 watts, and my buddy Rob plugged his bass into it and blew the speaker after having it only for two days.  I don’t have it any more I traded it in for a Fender Mustang . It’s gone too :(

Check out the Rumblejetts. Right now!

Inquest Midwest explores the minds of musicians from Parkville to Raymore—and beyond.


Troy Van Horn
Troy has been playing, thinking and writing about music since some previous century, most likely the 20th. He currently plays lead guitar in Kansas City’s Federation of Horsepower.