Jim Wood

Jim Wood was born in Florida on October 23, 1952. He began his gospel music career with The Telestials.  He wrote and sang 2 songs which were nominated  for Dove Awards in 1976 and 1977 - "Here They Come" and "One Way Flight."

Jim left the Telestials in 1978, and sang briefly with the Southmen Quartet before joining the Blue Ridge Quartet as their lead singer, where he stayed until 1984. An EP was released shortly after he joined, with 4 songs - It's Worth It All, Leaning On The Everlasting Arms, Love Lifted Me, and How Great Thou Art.   He appeared on 4 gospel LP's with the Blue Ridge -  "Thank You, Mister DJ", "Here They Come", "The Battle For My Daddy's Soul", and "Those Cotton Pickin' Blue Ridge". He also appears as a backup singer on the Blue Ridge's Rodney Hoots solo LP "You Needed Me".  Rodney had high praise for Jim - "Jim was one of the best lead singers I myself have ever sang with and one of the best all around "Entertainers" in the business, Give him a guitar and he could entertain a crowd for hours by himself!!!!" 

Members of the Mark IV also spoke highly of him...  George Colley says "Jim was a jewel in every sense.", and Steve Boyd said Jim was "(The) Best lead singer I ever got the chance to work with, and call my friend. It was an honor to have him in our group." Jim passed away on March 11, 2006 at the age of 53.