Jimmy has been teaching voice and piano for just about as long has he can remember! Shortly after leaving Chico State University as a music theory major, Jimmy came back to Redding to begin his career in the music/entertainment business. He and his wife, Debbie would sing Piano Bar before the days when karaoke came out. Because Redding was such a small town back then, the Bryant's decided to move to Southern California to pursue their careers. Though they had made quite a name for themselves in Palm Springs, they had a young son and thought that Redding would be a better place to raise a family so back they came! Jimmy decided to open his own business, and that is how Jimmy Bryant's Entertainment was born! The thought was that diversity was a good thing; so Jimmy offered piano lessons, vocal lessons and DJ services for weddings and other special events. Once karaoke hit the scene, Jimmy was the first in Redding to try it out. Back then karaoke was played on tape with no lyrics but soon laser disc was born and karaoke could be played with lyrics on a TV screen.
All that is history now! But Jimmy Bryant's Entertainment is still around! We've expanded a little now. Where once Jimmy was the only DJ, we now have five. Jimmy still teaches during the week and now teaches some of the children of his original students. (Don't tell him I'm telling you this....but I think there are grandchildren in there too!)
Something personal:
While making this website I've been required to think a lot about Jimmy Bryant's Entertainment. My name is Lisah, and I've been working for Jimmy for the past ten years. But that's not how I met him. My mother hired Jimmy to DJ for my daughters 13th birthday party at my home. The kids had a great time dancing and singing karaoke. Jimmy commented to me that my daughter had a very nice voice and should take lessons. Like any mother, I was proud and thought so too! So began a wonderful journey. My daughter, Britt, started lessons and indeed had/has a beautiful voice. Shyness kept her from achieving some of the goals she had set for herself back then, but now....she sings in a local band and works with me for Jimmy. But beside all that...back when my daughter was taking lessons, I got a 'bug' and decided that I too would like to learn to sing. You see, the previous year, while singing Christmas carols with my family, my mother told me I should 'lip sync'. :) I realized that as much as I loved music I was a horrible vocalist. In fact, I couldn't sing 'Happy Birthday' to save my life! Jimmy assured me that everyone has a voice but we just need to be taught how to use it. Within the year, I was singing karaoke in public (!!) and working for Jimmy as a DJ/KJ. I can't tell you how wonderful the past ten years have been. I have not only been given a new career, but have made wonderful friends. Jimmy is an amazing teacher. While working in the office, I've heard kids that honestly sounded terrible...but in a few weeks time, these same kids had improved immensely! I've loved watching these kids grow up and now I see a few of them coming into the Red Lion to sing karaoke. These 'kids', all grown up, still have wonderful voices and a love of music that can't ever be taken away from them. I give Jimmy Bryant the credit for all of it! So, there you have it, my personal story of why everyone should take lessons from Jimmy Bryant!