Jimmy is credited with coining the phrase often used by Cutting Edge: “It all starts with the song.” He possesses an insider’s knowledge of the music business and is recognized as a true rock impresario. Cutting Edge CE Conferences and Events are proud to honor him as the 2025 Music Influencer. The presentation will take place on Friday, August 15, at 7:30 PM at the New Orleans Jazz Museum, located at 400 Esplanade Avenue in NOLA. While the event is free, RSVPs are preferred—please email festguide@gmail.com.

Uptown New Orleans has been Jimmy Ford’s music domain since he was born. He grew up near Tipitina’s and his own club, Ford’s Place (ask him to share his hurricane hooray story!). After forming a rockin’ cover metal band with Vance DeGeneres (Ellen’s brother), he spent years touring before returning to open his club with his brother, Gary. His entrepreneurial spirit shone through as he recognized the needs of local and touring bands, leading him to supply sound equipment for them. He further developed his passion for audio by creating a line of speakers and working as the sound engineer at the Contemporary Arts Center, where he provided audio for their performance room and the legendary Dew Drop Inn After Dark shows during the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.

In the 1970s, Jimmy seized more opportunities, becoming a tour manager for Professor Longhair. He later moved to New York, where he partnered with booking agents and managers Frank Riley (High Road Touring) and Robert Singerman (LyricFind). During this time, they managed/co-managed and booked various artists (Richard Hell, dB’s, Gun Club, Peter Holsapple, Royal Crecent Mob, The Replacements, The Bad Brains, Fleshtones), and worked at the famed Bearsville Recording Studios with notable producers like Eric Calvi (Duran Duran) and Ives Beauvais (Atlantic Records) and Christian Dalbavie CSW (French Music Office, Putumayo Europe, Polygram, wine consultant). He also booked and promoted shows at the legendary CBGB and led tours to Europe, forging lasting relationships with events like Trans Musicales in Rennes, France.

Upon returning to New Orleans, he utilized his experience and extensive connections to establish Monkey Hill Management, which later evolved into Monkey Hill Records, co-founded with Frank Quintini. Together, they released 19 studio albums and managed artists including Cowboy Mouth, Bluerunners, Continental Drifters, Mustang Lightning, dB’s, The Shines, Peter Holsapple, Paul Sanchez, Dan Stuart, Jo Carol Pierce, Bill Summers, June Victory, The Bayou Renegades, Carlo Nuccio, and Michael Ray and The Cosmic Krewe.

After getting married to Sue Ford and becoming a father (Frankie, Jesse & Jonah Bascle, Sue’s sons), he was inspired to open his recording studio, the Jimmy Ford Clinic. Here, he recorded and managed groups like Rhudabega, Won Ton Lush, Iron Maidens, and his own band, Gnarltones, alongside longtime friend Dave Catching, who plays guitar in the metal supergroups Eagles of Deft Metal and Queens of the Stone Age. Jimmy continued to work with various bands, such as Supagroup, led by Chris and Benji Lee, using his signature handshake agreement for contracts.

Currently, Jimmy shares DiNOLA, an award-winning group (recognized by Gambit Weekly as the Best Rock Group) with his wife, Sue, Eric Laws, and the late Eddie Payne (See DiNOLA at Cutting Edge’s JAMericana Fete at the Broadside, August 16). Their latest material (Spys in the Night), a tribute to Eddie Payne, was produced by Tony Maimone (Pere Ubu, They Might Be Giants) and recorded at his studio, Studio G Brooklyn, New York.

The Fords are also known for their involvement in the Mardi Gras favorite group, Pink Slip, a Sue Ford creation. This group comprises musicians, dancers, and revelers whose participation in the Krewe of Muses has become a must-see during Mardi Gras.

Jimmy Ford has left an indelible mark on the New Orleans music scene simply by being himself.