This Article Appeared in the Harrisonburg High School (the school where Jim teaches) Newspaper The NewsStreak January 21, 2003 in the column,

"Rockin' With The Coach"
by Gary Bugg 

His earliest influences were the pop tunes of AM radio stations WLS in Chicago and WABC in New York. He really got hooked at the tender age of 12 by the Beatles live [tv] performance on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1964. His mom bought him the "Meet The Beatles" album the next day. For Christmas that same year he got his first guitar, a Sear Silvertone and soon he taught himself to play. He wrote his first song at 14 and started a band at 15. Thirty-five years later, Jim Nipe, HHS English teacher, is still writing, singing, and playing rock and roll music.

A prolific song writer, Jim (nom de plume, Jim Shelley) has written over 300 songs. Many can be found on the 25 plus albums (tapes and cds) he has produced on his own Ain't Records label. These albums are an incredible one man show. All vocals, lead and back up, are individually recorded, as are the bass, lead and rhythm guitar lines.  Drums, other percussion, keyboards, harmonica, and various effects are tracked in the same way. Tracks are dumped down onto other tracks, overdubbed, mixed and mastered into a final product. A single song can take as much as tens of hours to perfect. An entire album takes months to produce. Jim does it all, the writing, the playing, the singing, and the recording (in his spare time) in his tiny cellar studio.

Locally, many people have heard of his band, Book of Kills, or BOK. Few, however, know that Jim has a national reputation in the home taping industry. This so-called "cassette culture" began in the late '70s and early 80s with the advent of the four track tape recorder. Gradually, a widespread network of amateur musical productions and publications dedicated to this culture developed. Home labels were created and a vast network of recording, advertising, buying, selling, trading, and distribution of "homegrown" music evolved. Jim is considered a giant in this interesting but little known industry. Reviews and articles about his songs, writing styles, and recording techniques have appeared in nationally distributed and underground magazines such as TAPE OP, ALTERNATIVE PRESS, BABY SUE, GAJOOB, and others.

Yet, writing and making records is only part of the passion.  Jim is driven to play his music live. Those who know him as a soft-spoken man and laid back English teacher are amazed at the transformation that takes place when Jim plays live. A true Dr. Jeckyll-Mr. Hyde. But this Mr. Hyde isn't crazy, he just rocks! His band, BOK, is a source of pride. The first incarnation of the band performed at Rock Night '87. It has dissolved and reformed on at least five occasions as various players came and went. But the constant through the years has been the genius of Jim Nipe, singing the songs of Jim Shelley with the enthusiasm and verve matched by few professionals. What he plays is pure and simple rock and roll in its purest and most refreshing form. That's what Jim Nipe is all about. The world of rock music needs more people like Jim.

Note:  Book of Kills will perform at Alston's on Sat., Feb 1 in a 21 and over show. Tentatively, they have a Jan. date at the Little Grill [Saturday, February 22 actually -- JS] but that date is not firm yet. Check out his website at www.bookofkills.com for information and specific play dates. If you like rock and roll, you need to see Book of Kills; you need to experience Jim Nipe.