Jim Blum -- Reflection On The Longest Night

produced by Andrew Walsh and Joe Gunderman
Jim Blum: himself
The Deer: Joe Gunderman
Jim's friends: Leonard Will, Sylvia Docking, Andrew Walsh, Marybeth Cehlar
The Deer's Grandkids: Rachael Anderson, James Pennell

Ornaments host Jim Blum actually had the encounter recreated here. He told us all about it and we knew it was a special moment for him. The thing is, he kept talking about it. So producer Joe Gunderman told him, "You'd better write it all down so that you have it, and just to get it out of your system." Jim wanted to do something with it for Ornaments. Traditionally, Jim has a time on the show to present his own holiday moment. Joe wanted to hear it told in a fashion that would be compelling, and he suggested to Jim, "Try this: After you've written your version of it, try writing the whole thing from the deer's perspective. Maybe the two together..."

This became an ensemble effort in every way. Jim wrote out a nice drama, ace assistant producer Andrew Walsh took over the main production of the story, and with a few tucks and tightenings from Joe, the three of them edited and assembled the piece. Our friends, big and small, rounded out the cast. And somewhere in the forest is a large buck to whom Jim owes a debt of inspiration.

By the way, Jim hosts folk music on WKSU three weekend nights every week, and has for a ton of years. He is dedicated to this acoustic music and the people who make it, and it's that commitment over the years that led to this program, as a natural offspring. Producer Joe Gunderman may have been the driving force behind shaping it and actually getting the show done, but Jim's on-going focus on folk music is what allowed it to be created.

For more information about Jim Blum, check out the Jim Blum bio web page.