INFORMATION ABOUT JIM LARKIN
Born in Boston on December 20, 1952, to Nora Larkin (Monahan) from Galway and Edward J. Larkin (whose family is from Killarney). Jim Larkin grew up in Dorchester, Massachusetts in the Codman Square area. Went to St. Mark's Grammer School, Catholic Memorial High School and Westwood High School. Moved to Westwood in 1968. Taught himself guitar at age 14, Pennywhistle at age 15 and 5 string banjo at age 16. In 1970, formed group 'Cookie & The Irishman'. First paid singing job was at Mary Hartigan's in Dedham, MA. Moved to New York City in 1970 and later that year to New Haven CT., forming a group 'Whistling Gypsy Rovers' and performing all over CT. Moved to San Francisco 1971, to Needham MA in 1972, to Waltham MA in 1973 and to Brockton MA (where he still resides today) in 1979. Jim sang with various groups over the years. In 1976 formed 'The Wild Colonial Boys' who (with different members over the years) were active into the early 1990's. Jim performed for 4 summers on the weekends (1989-1992) at Eamonn's Irish Restaurant in Dennisport, MA and accompanied Eamonn McGirr on stage every Friday & Saturday night playing the guitar, banjo, pennywhistle & keyboard and appears on three albums of Eamonn McGirr's recorded during this period. Jim gave up entertaining in 1992. Jim has been a full time licensed Insurance Broker since 1974, and started the radio program 'Sounds of the Emerald Isle' on WBET Radio in February of 1982 and was still on till 2023. Jim also did the country oldies show each time the host needed a night off or was sick. The show moved in November 2012 to WVBF1530am in Taunton. Jim also did an 'Oldies Show' on WBET Radio for a few years in addition to the Irish program. In the 1980's, was co-host for a few years on the radio program 'Proud to be Irish' with Eamonn McGirr on WGNG Radio in Pawtucket Rhode Island. Since 1999, Jim has had his own internet radio station which has Irish Music 24/7 and oldies on Wednesdays. This station shut down in 2016. In addition to having 3 internet radio stations for several years Jim shut them down due to license fees being too high. After 41 and 1/2 years of Sounds Of The Emerald Isle, Jim gave up the show in August of 20-04.
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