About Jim Smart

Jim Smart has been entertaining for most of his life. Primary school was where his love of music began, being involved with the School choir at Highdykes Primary School. He also played recorder and due to his musical abilities, was presented with the School's newest and biggest recorder, The Tenor. He won the Burns singing contest performing "Scots Wha Hae" and his then teacher Mrs Callendar made him promise to continue music in secondary school. Jim was taught trumpet at The Vale of Leven Academy, but decided to give it up and did not continue with music in his 3rd, 4th and 5th years of secondary.

After a few years not performing, at the age of 18 Jim was introduced to Karaoke where he shocked and stunned many of his friends and family with his singing abilities. A few octaves lower than they had heard him before, his talent was very much there and more! He went on to win a few contests then decided to perform as a solo Cabaret performer in local pubs and clubs for the next few years.

In 1998, Jim saw an advert in "The Stage" newspaper for a hypnotic organisation teaching the secrets of Stage Hypnosis. Having always had an interest in the art, Jim applied, was accepted and started performing as both a singer and stage hypnotist in 1999.

In 2001, due to a lack of duos on the circuit, Jim decided to join forces with his singing friend Eileen McCulloch and Vocal harmony duo "HiLight" was born. In 2002, Hilight went on to win Best Duo in the Festival 4 Stars awards and secured representation with Mike Kean at Emkay Entertainments. However Eileen had always wanted to work abroad and so moved to Santa Ponsa, Majorca later that year where she still stays and performs to this day.

In 2003, Jim joined the Mummers Theatre Group where he auditioned and secured the principle role of "The Arbiter" in the musical "Chess". It was here that he met Eileens replacement in Hilight, Maria Foster who played Svetlana in the musical. Maria continued to work with Jim for almost 3 years and during that time the "Back To The Future" 80's Revival show was born. This was when Jim debuted as both Freddie Mercury and Roy Orbison as well as Maria performing as Blondie and Belinda Carlisle. Jim and Maria took the show to the Denny Civic Theatre in 2005 which was a great success and continued with the show in Holiday Parks and Clubs throughout Scotland. However, in 2006, due to personal circumstances Maria could no longer commit to the hectic weekend schedules and left the show so Jim's long term friend Joanne McLaughlin agreed to step in and cover the remaining gigs. As Joanne is a secondary school principle teacher, this was only a short term arrangement.

From late 2006 until now, Jim has been performing as a solo artist paying tribute to Freddie and Roy, as well as performing his stage hypnosis shows as "The Master". Jim has decided that the best way forward is to "go it alone" and he has been receiving great reviews from every venue he has perfomed at. He loves performing and will continue to perform his shows for many years to come!

Jim has been awarded the Best Acts Seal of Approval which is an assurance that his show is in the elite of first class UK entertainment, awarded for his excellence and professionalism in the Tribute and Hypnosis Sectors. All of Jim's Shows come fully equipped with Cutting Edge Mackie SRM450 Active Speakers, Mackie SWA1501 Subwoofers, A Mackie CFX12 Mixing Desk with 2 x icolour 4 Professional Lighting rig with laser and disco lights. Top quality sound and lighting for concert halls and the smaller venue. All shows are managed by a professional sound and lighting technician, no matter how large or small the venue may be.