About Deaf Jim Records

Deaf Jim Records is not currently accepting unsolicited demos.

In 1998, Kevin Nettleingham and Bert Pegg, both members of the band, Fuse, decided they wanted to start a label on which to release their debut CD, Boxcar Sky. After numerous high-level meetings with pricey marketing consultants, they decided to call this new label Deaf Jim Records.

Ok, they didn't really hire consultants.

They came up with the name Deaf Jim as both a spoof of the well-known hip-hop label, and as a reflection of their Vancouver, Washington roots. They asked themselves, "What would hicks from Vancouver call their label?" And thus, Deaf Jim was born.

After Kevin and Bert went in their own musical directions, Deaf Jim Records sharpened its focus to concentrate on Northwest-based acts that share Kevin's penchant for uniquely American sounds that combine Blues, Country, Folk, and Rock and Roll.

Smirk is a bit of an anomaly for Deaf Jim Records. They were grandfathered in from the early days, and they proudly consider themselves the label's bastard stepchild.

Deaf Jim Records now boasts five acts and eight releases:

Fuse
Boxcar Sky

The Martindales
Introducing the Martindales
Downbeat at Eight

Tim Current
Convergence

Smirk
Ridgefield Slippers
...in the shadow of a really big rabbit
...out of the shadow

Carl Wirkkala
Freedom Town

Currently, the Deaf Jim team consists of one Kevin Nettleingham, who wears many hats, including those of engineer, producer, and artist.