When Jim James released an EP of George Harrison covers in August, he had a specific audience in mind: chickens, pigs and goats. “George was a lover of animals and a vegetarian,” says the singer, who is donating part of the proceeds from Tribute To — which he recorded under the name Yim Yames — to the Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary in upstate New York, which houses 150 abandoned, abused and sick animals. “It just clicked.”
James cut the acoustic, six-song EP in 2001, but had no plans to put it out until Jenny Brown, the farm’s founder, approached him at a Louisville café last fall. (Both are natives.) “I noticed he was eating a vegetarian meal,” says Brown. “Plus, I’m pretty ballsy when it comes to asking favors.”
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Since the EP came out, the farm has seen a spike in visitors. While James hasn’t dropped by yet, Brown — who has steer named Dylan and Elvis [Costello] — is planning a tribute to him. “Next time an animal comes in without a name,” she says, “we’re calling it Jim James.”
...Article Source: Rolling Stone : Rock and Roll Daily