Jim Stanard
“Waking Up Dead” is the latest single from award winning singer songwriter Jim Stanard and features Grammy, ACM and CMA award winning legend Crystal Gayle in a stunning duet. The song hits the streaming platforms on May 8th, 2026, and will precede the digital release of Jim’s 3rd album, "Magical".
The moving lyric portrays a couple contemplating the finality of their latest argument and is set against the stirring backdrop of an a cappella string orchestra, arranged by Grammy nominated classical composer, and multi platinum rocker, Kip Winger, the album’s producer.
"When we released the 'Magical' album physically a year or so ago, it included a solo version of ‘Waking Up Dead’," Jim recalls. “But it occurred to me that this song could work and be really interesting as a duet. I've always loved Crystal Gayle's voice and as I thought about who could bring real and honest emotional depth to this, I realized she would be a great fit. I was excited that she was open to it and I can't even express what I feel when I hear the song. It's a stunning complement to Kip Winger's beautiful string arrangement. This version is the new single and will be on the digital version of 'Magical' that will come out a couple weeks later". Gayle shares his enthusiasm, commenting “When Jim sent his song ‘Waking Up Dead’, I loved it and I’m thrilled with how the duet turned out. I’m so glad Jim wanted to sing with me!”.
"Magical is the 3rd full length studio album from Jim Stanard. The physical version of the album sat atop the Roots Music Report’s country and americana album charts for multiple weeks and has re-entered the charts twice since then, and spent two months on the Euro Americana chart. Relix Magazine included the album in its 'Editor’s Picks' and music videos from its singles have garnered more than 1,7 million views on Youtube and have received extensive airplay.
It would be fair to say that musically, Jim Stanard is something of a late bloomer, embracing a life in music at a point where many in his shoes surrender to the urge to take things easy. During a successful career in the business world, he made a point of seeking out new challenges, and he’s applied that attitude to his work as a creative artist.
“It all felt very natural to me”, Stanard enthuses. “It was like learning a language that I’d been hearing for my whole life. In business, I learned the value of having the right teachers, the right mentors. So when I started writing songs, I sought out the right people for guidance, and listened to what they had to say, while also being willing to take some risks”.
Jim’s 2018 debut "Bucket List" piqued the interest of critics, with one reviewer calling it his 'sleeper pick for best independent label album thus far in 2018' and another commenting on Stanard’s 'fresh and highly believable voice'. His writing was another focus and he was recognized as 'an intelligent, profound, sometimes thoughtful and humorous observer' with 'a gift for poetry and narrative'.
Jim’s profile continued to grow with 2020’s "Color Outside The Lines", the album title an autobiographical nod to the artist’s journey from a numbers based career to more creative and artistic territory. The album charted on The Folk Chart in the US and reached the top 15 on the Euro Americana Chart, and “Home”, featuring guest vocals from folk legend Peter Yarrow and his daughter, Bethany, reached #1 and spent 4 weeks in the Top 5 on Radio Guitar One’s Top 25 Folk Cuts chart. “Witness Protection” was a 2nd place winner in the International Songwriting Competition and Jim’s songs were semifinalists in 6 different categories.
While recording promotional material for the album, Stanard caught lightning in a bottle with a live in studio set of covers from some of his influences including Jason Isbell, Townes Van Zandt, Jimmy Webb and Leonard Cohen. The EP features the trio of Stanard on acoustic guitar, Jon Skibic on electric guitar, and fiddler Ryan Joseph (Alan Jackson, Marty Stuart) and was released as "The Soultrain Sessions" in 2021.
“I played a lot of music in the 60's and early 70's, playing solo in college coffeehouses for about 15 years”, Stanard recalls. “Then I got busy with other stuff and stopped playing, but I always carried the music with me. Even after I’d quit playing, I was always listening and absorbing and accumulating a lot of musical knowledge, so when it comes to writing songs I’m endlessly inspired”.
