Jim Varsos, better known as Hobo Jim, was an American folk singer-songwriter know all about him in this article as like his Family, Net Worth, Wife, Children, Parents and Cause of Death
Bio | |
Name | Hobo Jim |
Birthdate ( Age) | 1952 |
Died | 5 October 2021 |
Place of Birth | Indiana, United States |
Nationality | American |
Marital Status | Married |
Spouse/Partner | Cyndi |
Children | One |
Parents | Name not known |
Education | Not Known |
Profession | American singer-songwriter |
Net Worth | $500K |
Last Update | October 2021 |
Jim Varsos better known as Hobo Jim, was an American folk singer-songwriter. He was one of the most popular guitar players in Alaska,playing frequently at small venues across the state.In 1994, Hobo Jim was named Alaska’s official balladeer.
Jim had been a musical icon in Alaska for over 40 years. Late last month, he announced that he had been diagnosed with a terminal illness: end-stage cancer. His doctor had told him he only had three to six months to live.
Early Life and Family
Varsos was born in Indiana in 1952.Varsos was raised in Madison, Wisconsin, where he began playing the guitar at the age of 12.He hitchhiked to Nashville after some time in college, hoping to make it as a country musician.After spending time hitchhiking and freight riding around the United States, he moved to Alaska in 1972.He settled in the state, making his home in Soldotna.
Hobo Jim Wife
Hobo Jim married with wife Cyndi.He was currently down in Tennessee with his wife.Next month is the anniversary of when he and Cyndi first met.“We got married in May, but we met on Halloween weekend 42 years ago,” Varsos said.Their only son died this spring. Even though this last year has been marked by tragedy, Varsos said in a Facebook post this weekend he’s had a blessed life.
Hobo Jim Net Worth
Jim Varsos better known as Hobo Jim, was an American folk singer-songwriter has an estimated Net Worth around $500K in 2021.
Professinal Career
Varsos’s songs are primarily regional and occupational songs, focusing on Alaska’s commercial fishermen, loggers, and miners.Perhaps the best known of these songs, “Iditarod Trail Song”, commemorates the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.
As of 1989, Varsos lived part-time in Nashville, where he worked with publisher Pat Higdon, singer Russell Smith, and writer Rory Bourke, among others.His song “The Rock”, which he co-wrote with Smith, has been recorded by Etta James and George Joneshe also co-wrote the Janis Ian song “Empty”.
Cause of Death and Tributes
His death on Tuesday was confirmed by his brother, Steve Varsos, and the news quickly made the rounds on social media as tributes poured in from mushers, performance venues and Gov. Bill Walker himself.
“Most of you know by now by brother Jim (Hobo Jim) was diagnosed with terminal cancer a few weeks ago and given 3-6 months to live,” Steve Varsos wrote on Facebook Wednesday. “Unfortunately the cancer took him from us much faster than we expected. He peacefully passed away yesterday.”
Varsos was lauded, too, by the musher community, as his “Iditarod Trail Song” was sung in schools and became the iconic sled-dog-race’s official anthem.“We are heartbroken to learn of the swift passing of James Varsos yesterday,” wrote the Alaska Dogstead Mushing Company on its Facebook page.“Hobo Jim was a friend of the kennel as he was for so many mushers. He touched all of our lives with his radiant smile and endless energy.”