It was a pleasure to know Jimmy, play gigs with him, and laugh with him. He was an incredible musician and person.  I was heartbroken when I heard the news. Prayers for his family and his musical family.  Heaven is forming a Bluegrass band with our dear friends. For those of us left behind...take no moment for granted. Tell those you cherish that you love them. You will be greatly missed my friend. Until we meet again!

Jim will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Ji!m was one of the friendliest and always happy guy I've known and a really good banjo picker!! So much to miss. Prayers with his family.
Sherri Sheriff

I'm saddened to hear of Jim's passing I can remember seeing him playing the banjo at GTTC while the geese looked on. He will be missed . 

Condolences to Jim's family. While I was not as close to Jim as many folks were, I did have the pleasure of knowing Jim and the loss is deep for me nonetheless.

RIP Jim.

Jim has been my close friend for twenty one years. To me, he had the sweetest voice in the entire world!! We would talk for hours. Jim spent his life making others happy. Not only through entertaining, but by helping others in any way he could. What a better place the world would be if everyone were as kind as Jim. Words cannot express how much I will miss him. I love you Jimbeau. Until we meet again Susan

Anytime I saw Jim, he always asked how my radio program was going. He always had questions about some of the old, traditional bluegrass I was playing. He loved to reminisce about the times when we both lived in the D.C. area. 

Frank Pearsall
Brevard, N.C.

Jim was such a nice guy and pleasant to talk to. I wish we could have gotten together and picked some. I only got to see Jim at the Banjothon once a year and he was always a friendly easy going fellow. Gonna miss him.

I was shocked and saddened to hear of Jim's passing. We spent many a night on the phone talking of times with Jimmy Martin and banjos. He was one of the funniest guys I ever knew.  He would always make me laugh. Jim was a great friend for many years. Sandy and I will miss him dearly.

Jim was a great friend.  Going back to days at MEMC working on those silicon wafer lapping machines.  Then we had a lot more fun at GE.  I'd just watched a YouTube video of him picking a week before the tragic news.  Always fun to be with, a good friend for many years.  He's going to be missed.

Jimmy was a great musician and friend and we got to play music together throughout the 30 years that I knew him. He had a kind heart and a gentleness about him. Whenever you saw him he would always take time to talk to you and ask about family and how you were doing. He will be greatly missed as a musician and a friend. His family and friends will be in my prayers.

It's hard to find the right words here, but I consider myself lucky to have known Jimmy, ever since he worked in my husband's Paul Adkins and the Borderline Band in 1995.  On top of being a great, hard-driving banjo player, he brought an infectious smile, and personality that lit up the room wherever he went.  Jimmy was one of the sweetest fellows ever, who clearly cherished his friendships. He would randomly take the time to call Paul, just to say hi, how are you doing? When we saw him a few years back at IBMA, we picked up a conversation where we left off, just like it was yesterday.  Jimmy - you will be sorely missed by all who knew you. Rest in peace <3

Jim was, as others have mentioned, a fine banjo player, a fun guy & as good a friend as anyone could hope to have. Just wish we'd been able to get together more often. I'm gonna miss those phone calls -- I'd answer & he'd say, "Is this the Foggy Mountain Theater?" We'd talk about everything from banjos & banjo players to having coffee at Wheeler Pharmacy here in Lexington & lots of things in between. RIP Jimbo.

Jim or "Rollins", as we would say around the office, was one of the hardest working people I know. I have worked with Jim, at GE, for as long as I can remember and never did he say something couldn't be done. He was always darting here and there, wearing that blue over shirt, tilting his head down to look over his glasses to give you that grin and then run off to tackle another project. And then to go to the Saturday downtown GVL market, or a friends wedding, and he is there with his band playing the banjo would make one think... does this man ever rest.  For all the amazing memories I will truly be grateful and will miss "Rollins" tremendously. 

I will truly miss seeing Jim when I am onsite at GE! I worked with him for 15 years and always enjoyed the "pickin' and a grinnin'" stories we shared since he knew many of the men my dad played in bands with in the '50s. Pappy Sheryl was one! Always great conversation with never ending laughing and smiling! RIP, my friend!

Jim has been my boss but much more of a friend then a boss for many years. We shared a love of music & many laughs. Will miss him dearly. Love you Jimbo. 

Jimmy has been a dear friend since he played in my band in 1995 and 96. He was a terrific hard driving banjo player, awesome band member and a pleasure to travel with. We remained in contact with each other for many years even though we didn't get to see each other personally. Jimmy would call me up out of the blue and all I would hear on the other end of the line was his mischievous voice say "what ya doin?" I knew instantly who it was and we both always got a good laugh.
He was one of the most charming, sweet, kind and gentle people I have ever met. There's a huge void in my heart over the loss of my dear friend. I will truly miss him greatly.
My deepest most heartfelt condolences to his family at this most difficult time.
God speed Jimmy.....love ya buddy

Jim, was a funny and kind man. I had the pleasure of knowing him for over 10 years. We had an inside joke about "pumpkin" and "sweet potato pie." He would share with me about his many different travels -something to always make me laugh.

So sorry for your loss  Rich & Martha Roginski

Jim was a special person. I got to know him through our common love of old Gibson banjos. I always sought out Jim, every year at Banjothon in Knoxville, Tn. Several of us would meet the night before and grab a bite to eat and just catch up. He would leave messages for my wife and me....."Hey Kids, whatcha doing?". Made me smile every time. I will miss him every day.... rest my friend.

Jim was just a great guy...I will miss his renditions of the Jimmy Martin songs he picked and sang.

I've known Jim since I started playing bluegrass around 2001, and he has always been nothing but super nice to me. He always encouraging, willing to come fill in when I needed a banjo picker for a gig, or willing to come Jam for fun. He always had more than a few stories, and someone said the other day, he sure did light up a room when he walked in. Over the years he got to know me, he was always good to ask about my family, and I appreciate that.
So James Hugh Rollins, thank you so much for your contribution to music, your stories, knowledge and for being our friend. We will never forget. Rest In Peace my friend.

Jimmy Rollins and I met about 11 years ago at Galax. We've been buddies ever since. His circle of acquaintances and friends was as wide as the ocean is deep. He was talented, supportive, funny, clever and sincere and he will be sorely missed by many. My heart is heavy for his family, and I will join you this weekend to celebrate his life.

Jim didn't know me but yet befriended me and helped me with the banjo. His audios to me showed a man with a gentle and kind soul. I have deep regrets that I could not have known him longer and better. Please accept my condolences. I can only imagine how much you will miss him in your lives.

Jim was held in high regard in the extended family of banjo picking and bluegrass music.He will be fondly remembered and missed by his friends who share his passion for these pursuits.He was a fine musician whose strong playing was was informed by good taste , a deep understanding and appreciation of the bluegrass music and joy of expression.I was always glad to see Jim and was made to feel that the feeling was mutual.

My sincere condolences to the family and friends of Jim. He was a great guy and my heart is heavy.

I've known him since we worked together at MEMC in the early 90's. Back then I had just a slight understanding of Bluegrass and heard that he played banjo, but had no idea of his talent. Fast forward a few years later and I bumped into him at a store in Hendersonville and he tells me he is heading to Shindig. I asked if he planned to pick in the parking lot, to which he replied "I might....after I get off stage." From that point on I found out his history with Jimmy Martin and the Grand Ole Opry, and various bands since. We always would talk like old friends when we would see each other at Bluegrass events a few times every year in various states. The last time was at the ISIS, where he picked in the jam. Ever friendly, he will be greatly missed.

To know Jim was to like Jim- you couldn't help it. A great musician, but even more so, a great guy. Enjoyed listening to his stories and his wealth of bluegrass knowledge was deep. Had the pleasure of picking with him on occasion and we both shared a love for the traditional bluegrass. The world needs more "Jimmy's" for sure. You'll be missed pal!

I got to play with Jimmy a number of times when he filled in on banjo for Last Road Bluegrass.  He was a great guy, funny, friendly, and a super-polished performer. RIP Jim.

So sorry to learn of Jim's passing. I had the opportunity to play music with him many times, the most memorable ones were in Nashville at SPBGMA where he seemed to know everyone. He had a happy sprint and was fun to jam with and most of all just fun to be around. Those are the memories that will always be with me when I think of him.

I met Jimmy 30 years ago in Galax I believe , and he and I hit it off right away
We played music the whole weekend , and his hard driving banjo always drew crowds ANYTIME he started playing , his smile and humor was addicting .It was my dream to play in a band with Jimmy . We got together several times over the years and had lots of fun. I finally got to play in a band with Jimmy with Paul Adkins and the Borderline band and loved every min of it. Jimmy was truly a remarkable man and will be missed by many. Rest in peace my friend and my favorite banjo player of all time.  always your friend, David Lewis

Played with Jimmy in Northern Border Bluegrass Band for 7 years. A great musician and an all round good guy.  He had a terrific knowledge of bluegrass music. He was my friend and I will miss him dearly. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

We were fellow Sunny Mountain Boys. Always looked forward to seeing Jimmy. He was a great musician and all around good guy. RIP my friend.

I only had the privilege of knowing Jim for a few short years. In that time, I got to know him as an outstanding banjo player, but also as a great friend. He was always more than willing to talk with you, ask about your family, and pass along some cool licks. I last saw him at a festival in Anderson, SC this past July. We caught up and picked each others' banjos for a good hour, at least. He will long be remembered as a part of Bluegrass music, and for countless cherished friendships he made over the years. My thoughts and prayers go out to Jim's family and friends.

Condolences to family and friends. My thoughts and prayers are with you all as you go through this difficult time

Jimmy will be missed dearly. I wished I had an opportunity to spend more time with Jimmy. We were roommates at Clemson and Jimmy was always there with a smile. He will be remembered always with the smile and laugh. Much love to Jimmy and his family. 
Tony

OBITUARY

James "Jim" Hugh Rollins

November 20, 1962 – September 8, 2017

Mackey Funerals and Cremations at Century Drive

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