Name: Celebration of Life for James Hunter "Jim" Yanaway
Start: 2016-03-17T22:00:00.000Z
End: 2016-03-18T01:00:00.000Z
Location: Fred's Texas Cafe

James Hunter Yanaway passed away Sunday, March 13, 2016. Mr. Yanaway was 64 years old. Service: A celebration of Jim's life will be held 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Fred's Texas Cafe, 915 Currie St., Fort Worth. Born in Houston on June 18, 1951, Jim was the son of Bob and Hunter Quarles Yanaway. He grew up on the east side of Fort Worth and graduated from Eastern Hills High School in 1969. He was active in Boy Scouts and attained the rank of Eagle Scout. After graduation from Eastern Hills, he continued his education at the University of Texas at Austin, receiving a degree in political science. While at UT, Jim was a walk-on punter for the Longhorns football team. After graduating, he loved Austin so much he made it his home. Jim was the founder and owner of Amazing Records, whose label put out music from Denny Freeman, David "Fathead" Newman, U.P. Wilson, the LeRoi Brothers, Omar and the Howlers, the Legendary Stardust Cowboy, Evan Johns, Juke Jumpers, Ponty Bone, Texana Dames and so many more. In 1990 he was honored by NAIRD, the National Association of Independent Record Distributors, for production of the best independent jazz record production for "Return To The Wide Open Spaces" on Amazing Records. He was a consummate music researcher and was intricately involved in researching the archives at the Texas Music Museum in Austin, sharing his knowledge with anyone and everyone, including Willie Nelson. He will be greatly missed by family and friends. Survivors: In addition to his mother, Hunter Marie Yanaway, Jim is survived by his brother, Bill and wife, Diane; sister, Vicki Orr; niece, Kerri Cooper; nephew, Justin Yanaway and wife, Lindsay, and their daughters, Hunter Grace Yanaway and Hampton Elizabeth Yanaway; and countless friends all over the United States and Europe.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Star-Telegram on Mar. 16, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for James Yanaway

Sponsored by the Star-Telegram.

33 Entries

Nina Powers

March 10, 2023

I do miss Jim. We knew one another for 40 years. So wish he was still on the planet.
I hear Bluebonnets are beginning to bloom at Stacey Park. I will walk there tomorrow in memory of Jim, his dog, Happy?, and another Fort Worth roots friend, Myrna Baird .

Carolyn Phillips

June 9, 2017

Any friend of Danny Roy Young is a friend of mine. I didn't know Jim but I saw him around the Texicalli Grille
and watched him interact with Danny. They are, no doubt, together now and spinning those South Austin
tales.

Michael Lewis

April 20, 2016

Thank you Jim from the legions of Australians who knew to call you when they got to Austin even though you were a total stranger. Your name and number was passed on for good reason. You were the perfect host to one of the greatest cities in the world, and showed that Texans and Australians had a natural affinity. You will be missed by many.

Jim looking out for flying saucers together with Gary Oliver in Big Bend, 2001

Marthe Thorshaug

April 4, 2016

Jim with Marthe Thorshaug and a real rodeo clown at Broken Spoke 2004

Marthe Thorshaug

April 3, 2016

Marthe Thorshaug

April 3, 2016

It is with shock and grief I recieved the message about Jims passing.
I first met Jim in 2000, when Bodil Furu and I visited Austin as young art students from Norway. Through Oyvind Pharo, Jim was set up as our special Austin guide. He was a fantastic guide, and he helped us a lot when we started out to make a documentary about The Cornell Hurd Band. Since then, Jim has been a good friend with many good ideas. He encouraged me to make a film about the Comanche Indians. In 2004, Jim, my husband Christian Falch and I, visited the Chief of The Comanche Nation together. The film was finished 2 years later, thanks to Jim who came up with that excellent idea! Jim was for me a very inspiring person, always with a witty humour that would put things in the right place. We also had several trips together to Marfa and Big Bend. Driving through the Texan landscape, his knowledge about everything we passed could last all the way from Austin to Marfa. Dont get me going.. Thank you for all the fantastic stories! Jim, you are deeply missed.

Jim and Smiley in Niederwald 2002

Marthe Thorshaug

April 3, 2016

Jim and Smiley in Niederwald 2002

Marthe Thorshaug

April 3, 2016

Sigbjrn Nedland

March 27, 2016

So sad to hear that Jim has passed away. I first met him when coming to Austin to do radio interviews and reports for Norwegian radio in 1986. Since that time we met many times, in Austin, in Cannes, France for the Midem, and even in my home town of Kristiansand, Norway, where Jim came to visit me. He was my main resource person when it comes to Texas music. I remember going with him to collect seeds of Texas wildflowers to make them grow in a park near his home, and one of the most special things he showed me: His old blues book with lots og autographs and greetings from blues greats. I will never forget you, Jim!

Sigbjrn Nedland

Jim's longest live companion of left; "Smiley"

Dan Vogler

March 26, 2016

The legend continues !

Dan Vogler

March 26, 2016

Jim heals crippled preacher with his own bible !

Dan Vogler

March 26, 2016

Jim at a Donut-Kegger in South Austin Record Store

Dan Vogler

March 26, 2016

Selfie by Jim Yanaway

Dan Vogler

March 26, 2016

March 24, 2016

It was a shock to hear about Jim's passing. I had known since my first trip to Austin in 1981 when we met at Joe Ely's Tornado Jam on Manor Downs. I was covering the event for a Norwegian music Magazine. From then on he took care to keep me updated on his releases from his Amazing Records label. Not only that, he supplied me with gorgeous mixed tapes of Texas jazz, rhythm & blues, country and rock and roll. He sent me wonderful swamp and cajun music, and a tape I'm forever thankful for. It was called Severely mixed snapy tunes, where the last track was That Evil Dope by Phil Phillips. And lots and lots of other music.
Whenever he was travelling or simpley when he felt like it he sent me postcards with carefully chosen motifs, from Austin, from Fort Worth, New Orleans, Paris, France or Edmonton, Canada. ALways in his characteristic handwriting in italic capital letters. He came to visit in Oslo in winter time when he had been to Midem in France. H

He enjoyed so much his Company, for his storytelling, sense of humor and endless knowledge of music history - particularly about the recording industry. He was one of the last true independent record men.
He has many friends in Oslo who loved to go to Austin and who were always taken good care of by Jim. He was our man in Austin.

He will be deeply missed.

yvind Pharo
Oslo, Norway
March 24 2016

Nina Powers

March 18, 2016

Nina Powers

March 17, 2016

I met Jim Yanaway 37 years ago in Fort Worth. As the years flew by it was always good to see Jim's genuine smile in a crowd. There was always time to talk and connect about what was happening in our lives. He is known for pursuing his passion in various ventures with Texas music and the blues. Few women got to dance with Jim or saw him dance. He was quite a blues dancer. We first danced at the Bluebird in Fort Worth, which is where I learned this secret. I never let him forget it. A few times over the years we hit the dance floor again. One Halloween under cover be did a bit of dancing the night away. Precious memory. If you're walking in Stacey Park, Travis Heights, Austin ,he planted some wildflowers there and reseeded at times. I will remember him there each spring.My sincere condolences to Jim's family and friends.

Clay Connell

March 17, 2016

Jim you will be extremely missed and remembered as a true friend and gentleman. Clay Connell Austin Tx

March 17, 2016

Kim Miller

March 17, 2016

Thanks for all the musical stories I would have never heard. And that smile ... Thanks for all the good memories you've left us with. You were beloved.

Ernie Draw

March 17, 2016

So sorry to hear the news of Jim's passing..A real nice easy going person who knew a lot about the recording business and music in general...Will miss you Jim!!!!

bruce ashworth

March 16, 2016

jim was a gentle soul. in our conversations, he helped remind me of many musical groups and talent that was in austin during my days at u.t. rip jim

Bill Yanaway

March 16, 2016

You will live in my heart forever. Thanks for introducing me to musical styles I would have never known.

March 16, 2016

One of the greats.........both a great guy and a musical visionary .
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Cowboy Carl

Rick Dielman

March 16, 2016

Missing you already, Jim. Godspeed!

Veronica Allbright

March 16, 2016

What a great smile you always have... Will miss that so much !

Lynn Ferguson-Cash

March 16, 2016

My heart breaks for Jim's family & all who were lucky enough to know him. He was an icon in the Texas music biz, and a "go to" when you wanted to know who sang what. His years with the radio show, Frnger Poppin Time was legendary!!! I learned lots from this great guy! RIP Jim. I look forward to seeing you again on the other side.

Nancy Webb

March 16, 2016

Jim would house sit for me when Speedy & I went out of town. My pets loved him. I am hoping Jim is reunited with his beloved dog, Smiley. I can't believe Jim is gone. He had such a love for music and animals and life.
Nancy Webb

Don O.

March 16, 2016

Thank you, Jim, for all the great music you found and made available to all of us.

Joe Nick Patoski

March 16, 2016

Jim, I sure enjoyed time spent with you in some many places and times, and most always connected to music. Thanks.

Gary Maddox

March 16, 2016

Jim's love and support of non-mainstream music made his too short life very special indeed. He was a walking encyclopedia of music history. Though his time was short, the world was a slightly better place for him.

If there's another world,
he lives in bliss;
If there is none,
he made the best of this.

Robert Burns

Jim Colegrove

March 16, 2016

Jim should also be remembered for his outstanding radio show on the community radio station KCHU in Dallas back in the late 1970s. It was called "Finger Poppin' Time" and he always played some of the best R&B and rockabilly records that ever came out of a radio speaker. Jim and I worked together for four years for the late Mike Richey's record business from 1977 to 1981. As a member of the Juke Jumpers I am pround to have been a friend and cohort of Jim's. Those were great days for Texas music.
I will miss him and his penchant for conversation when his meticulous explanations for everything would take what seemed like an eternity before he was finished. I wish him a lovely ride through the universe.

José RUIZ

March 16, 2016

Jim has held my introduction to the Austin music scene. I will always remember his visit to my place where he stayed a couple of days after attending the MIDEM back in the 80's. then he welcomed me at his place in Austin, and we remained close friends since then. His voice and his slow talking will always be a companion to my ears.

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