Born 1/20/1943 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Paul and Nona Fosso. He is survived by his wife Sara, daughter Samantha, mother Nona, sister Kristi, along with many extended family members and friends.
During his childhood, he lived in Arlington, Spokane, and finally in West Seattle for the majority of his young life. He graduated from West Seattle High School in 1961 with top honors and received a full academic scholarship to Dartmouth College. During his first summer home from College, he sang with the Gaslight Singers on a TV show called “Sing America.” From that appearance, they were selected to perform at the 1962 World’s Fair at Seattle Center.
After college, Jim moved to New York City, where he took his first job as a delivery truck driver in Manhattan, helping him to cultivate that fiery temper. During his time in New York City, he found a spiritual group that studied the teachings of Gurdjieff, and helped the group to establish their center in upstate New York. In upstate New York, he opened a cabinet shop that catered to the high end market. He was very proud of his carpentry, and always had an eye for fine detail.
Following his calling to return to music, he moved to Nashville in 1975. He quickly became friends with everyone in the music business, and wrote several songs that made it to the radio. His biggest hit was “Seattle On My Mind,” which made the Billboard top charts, and was played on radio stations throughout the country. During this time, he met Sara, while singing at a club in Nashville’s music row. They moved back to Seattle and were married in 1979.
After settling back in to his hometown of Seattle, he and Sara sang as a duo in clubs throughout the area. Realizing that they needed to bring in more money to start a family, they started a side business selling air purifiers, which was inspired by the smoky bars they would sing in at night. That business is still going strong today as AAA Aircare Systems.
In 1982, their daughter Samantha was born. Taking a break from performing, Jim would write and sing lullabies to her as a child and helped develop her love of music and education.
His continued love for art and design helped in the development of the iconic “Hammered Man,” a spoof of Seattle Art Museum’s “Hammering Man,” which is now a permanent fixture at Jim’s favorite Seattle bar, the Blue Moon Tavern. With owner, Gus Hellthaler, and a few other friends, Jim & Sara started the band “The Shmoes” which played in several venues throughout the area and had a large following, with the Blue Moon being their home base. And, no, there is no “c” in Shmoes.
Jim had many other talents, including photography, painting, woodworking, and writing a good rant. He was passionate about many things, but nothing would get him as worked up as a good political discussion.
Many of his friends were unaware he was battling stage four colon cancer since September 2011. He was determined to beat it, and explored many therapies to do so. He lost his battle on December 31, 2014 at Evergreen Hospice Center.
Jim was very clear that he did not want a traditional memorial service, instead he wanted a tribute party to be held at The Blue Moon Tavern. His party will be open house style, and will take place January 25th from 1-6pm. Kids will be allowed in the establishment from 1-4pm, as we have obtained a special permit. It will be a potluck and open mike for music, stories, and rants. Please bring a dish to share and a story to tell. The Blue Moon is located at 712 NE 45th Street, Seattle, WA 98105.