Jim Byrnes

Jim Byrnes (James Thomas Kevin Byrnes OBC CM), born September 22, 1948, is an American actor and blues musician now based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri, learning to play blues guitar at thirteen years old on his favorite guitar, a Gibson 1969 Hummingbird. He studied acting at Boston University and St. Louis University. In 1968, during the Vietnam War, Byrnes was drafted and served in the 196th Infantry Brigade for a year. He has lived in Vancouver since the mid-1970s. On February 26, 1972, he was struck by a passing car while attempting to help move a stalled truck on the Island Highway North of Parksville, which injured his legs and forced them both to be amputated. In 1987, Byrnes started appearing on "Wiseguy" as Daniel Burroughs, better known as Lifeguard, his first major acting role. He later starred in "Highlander: The Series" as Joe Dawson, a member of the secret society known as the "Watchers." As a musician, Byrnes has won the JUNO Award for Blues Album of the Year three times: for "That River" in 1996, "House of Refuge" in 2007, and "Everywhere West" in 2011. He was honored at the 2006 Maple Blues Awards as Male Vocalist of the Year. The Canadian Folk Music Awards recognized him as Contemporary Singer of the Year in 2006 and 2009. He was awarded the C.M. (Member of the Order of Canada) on May 19, 2022, from the Canadian Governor General. Jim Byrnes' powerful vocals and authentic blues sensibility have made him a revered figure in Canadian music.

Website