Show business is full of colourful characters and they don't come much more flamboyant than JIM ED HUSTON. The ever popular entertainer was born of Dutch and Irish parentage.   Edmond, [the name he is known as outside of the entertainment world]  is a direct decendant of the original Van Harmelen family from "Harmelen" a town in the Netherlands, that dates back to the year 1246.     His father was Marteen Van Harmelen, his mother, Marie Brackett from Co.Waterford Ireland.

Young Edmond was taken to Ireland when he was six months old and was raised with his grandparents on the Brackett farm in Ballyduff near Lismore Co Waterford, where he recalls many long winters evening was spent round the turf fire or often at a corn threshing with his Grandad singing the old traditional Irish and Country Western Ballads and Narrations. Though the old homestead has been left to dissappear into ruin, All in the name of progress? perhaps!     Never the less Edmond has fond memories and is fiercely proud of his ancestry along with the skills he learned in those early years of life growing up in the country. His roots and humble upbringing in Ireland still remain close to his heart and where he still has a vested interest in the land, vintage tractors & machinery.   

Ever the travelling man he worked his way in a variety of jobs  between Jersey C I,  the U.K.  Middle East,  Canada, U.S.A, where he was especially privilaged to see some memorable performances at the Grand Ole Opre and made friends with some of the Country Greats during his many visits there throughout the 70s and early 80s.

It was when he decided to embark professionally in his singing career that EDMOND realised his Dutch name didnt lend kindly to the scene so he changed it to JIM ED HUSTON and he hasnt looked back sence.  He had an extraordinary vocal ability then that ranged from bass baratone, tenor, to alto.   During a visit to the States in the seventies he caught the attention of a few popular artists of the decade including the late Faron Young and Hank Snow who suggested he should pursue a career in country music, however unforseen circumstances arose and he had to return to the U.K. so the idea of getting on a band wagon had to be shelved, in fact it lay dorment for some time, apart from a compilation video Jim Ed made with his daughter Samantha.   Although his children did not share his ambition for a career on the stage, never the less his son Edward and daughters Samantha and Caroline Van Harmelen,  who each have their own successful business careers, do share their Dads  interests in travel and culture.  

He recieved personal recognition on the BBC World Service in 1981 with an album titled "Theres a Shadow on my Shoulder", written and produced by Chris Goldring.  Because of his vast collection of Country music and knowledge of an era he was offered numerous opportunities to produce his own radio show, with his clarity and tonality he was ideally suited. though he did do voice overs.    He frequented the Royal variety club  and likewise turned down other offers, he preferred to be in control of his own destiny and the open road, and the motto!   "Have Guitar will travel" (although he says it never made him much money & probibably cost him more on strings).  Being a man of quick wit and wry sence of humour such a statement is only to be expected.       Ed is a very private sincere and unasuming down to earth person who loves nature, friends and the simple things in life.   He likes to place particular emphasis in the storeyline of a song or narration when he is performing that is only natural, as he has re-lived much of it.   He doesnt like people who show anamosity towards others, or ego trippers who think their effort is is the final one and that everyone elses is humbug.        Known for his readiness to share any experience, within his profession, to help a fellow artist or give constructive encouragement, particularly to an up and coming talent,  along with his efforts to help a charitable cause, for he is a great believer in that there is no greater reward than giving back a little of your time, at what you enjoy in life, to others who are less fortunate.     Both Jim Ed and Jules continue to give their services to needy causes on their sceduled music trips. 

In his early years of travel Ed worked at lumber for a short time in Canada, hence the name "Timber" has acompanied him through the years.       "The Waterford Lumberjack" song was wrote about him by Tommie Cristie.  Back then the late great Tex Witter would announce him as "Big Timber" on stage at the Tennessee club,   the "In" place where George Hamilton 4th, Little Ginny, Hanh Snow, Jerry Ford, Brian Dolan,and numerous other great artists  appeared.                           Between working contracts abroad Jim Ed would entertain on a seasonal basis every now and then.   He loves to cross over into other styles and cultures of music    

Dogged with subsequent health problems due to a fall,  then a serious throat problem put further quest to Jim Eds singing for a time, after an operation he received voice coaching which gave a boost to his recovery but still suffers relapses. In spite of this he has built up a lucrative circuit and a staunch following over many continents especially now with the birth of internet radio etc. He never gives up and whatever he does, he will give it 100%.           He has also  graced the stage both sides of the atlantic with some well known personalities and has recieved many deserved accolades from his peers and press reports, and is featured along with 22 other show business personalities in a book compiled by Rosie Still, which he has a chuckle about.   

During his solo career he was a requested favourite at Pontins I&B Records festival in Southport, as well as working mens clubs; Co-operative & Golf venues             He is now back performing with JULES as a DUO supplying  entertainment for "Weddings"  "Dinner engagements," "Dancing," both "Freestyle & Old Time"   Other Social events including "Theatre,Festivals" and of course Jim Eds first love "Concerts" performing "Country flavoured Gospel Songs"                                         They have an original unique style along with some fine harmonys and a versatile repertoire that is supported with a live quality self contained sound. They do also perform with other session musicians now and then.

It was a pity Ed couldnt or wouldnt take up a music career full time and stayed with it in those earlier years when he was given the the chance no doubt he would have been a big success but he has achieved much in perfecting a mellow easy listenable country flavoured style and made it acceptable to audiences at venues outside of the country music circuit and "brought it to town".  Many musicians who worked with him early on in his career said he was a challenge as he would constantly introduce rare material to a programme and would have his own mark on it before they had got to hear the original arrangement. He is after all his own man!                                     As in a verse of one of his releases "If You Dont Like Me It Dont Matter You See Cause Im Happy Just The Way I Am."                  Once he rehearsed with a group of musicians to do a venue at a Persian nite club in Earls Court in London and ended doing a series of engagements there over a number of years.                       Jim Ed is a shrewd operator when it comes to marketing, He recorded some folk and contemporary under two ficticious names  and had a few songs translated in part into other languages.     He is listed in apx forty compilation albums and has eight full titled albums on his own Indi label.           He is also an acomplished writer of short stories, and comedy scripts.        He loves doing his own studio sessions and has some fine internationally recognised instrumentalists and vocalists credited on his albums right back to his early vinal years on "Airship Records"                                      Sometime in the mid 80s, after he made his solo debuit on the Irish circuit in the U.K he released the  light hearted ditty titled   "The Leprechaun song"  much to his surprise it became immensely popular over the radio air waves, it was listed among the 30 most requested songs over 30 years on Hendry Wymbs BBC Irish Eye. He has enjoyed interviews with other presenters on some BBC mainstream and regional programmes.                                                                Some compositions written by his friend of "Pied Piper" fame Cryspien St Peters and Mike Sammes of the "Mike Sammes Singers" got good exposure  on the BBC airwaves in the late 70s & 80s    

Finally a book on Eds life growing up in the village of Ballyduff to his heading off into the unknown, is awaiting completion of the longest chapter...........[The Last Chapter]       

Thank you for sharing some of the highlights in this biography.   You can sample some Jim Ed & Jules songs on the utube or through other links on this site. Go back to the top to check out Credits and list of Song titles.