Meet Jim Blythe
The author, Jim Blythe, boasts a diverse and wide-ranging background that spans a myriad of professions. With a former tenure as a professor of marketing, his journey through life has included roles as a Merchant Navy radio officer, a ladies’ hairdresser, a salesman, and a company director. Blythe’s expertise as a marketing consultant and even a truck driver adds depth to his experiences.
Fluent in both Spanish and French, Blythe’s linguistic prowess is a tribute to his degree in modern languages. He divides his time between the UK and Spain, a reflection of his extensive travels that have taken him to approximately 50 countries across the globe.
Blythe’s talents extend far beyond the realm of literature. He clinched victory in the Cardiff heat of “Come Dine With Me” in 2007, showcasing his culinary finesse. In his youth, he contributed his musical talents to relatively lesser-known bands. Today, he drums with Samba Galez in Cardiff.
An experienced pilot, the author’s ownership of three aircraft utilised by a flying school in Swansea attests to his adventurous spirit and technical understanding. Beyond his literary achievements, Blythe has written an impressive array of 18 textbooks, and has been translated into 14 languages.
He also wears the hat of a playwright and theatre enthusiast. Blythe is the driving force behind Matter of Act Theatre, his own theatre company, for which he has penned eight plays. His talent as a playwright earned him an award from the Drama Association of Wales for his play titled “Acting the Maggot.”
Blythe’s creative pursuits extend further with his recent album release, “No Promises,” which has garnered recognition and found its place on the long list for the prestigious Welsh Album of the Year award.
Currently, Blythe has one novel, “Retreads,” in print, with another captivating tale in the works. Additionally, he is passionately dedicated to creating a musical centred around the life of Joe Hill, a political activist whose tragic execution in 1915 for a murder he almost certainly didn’t commit remains a poignant historical moment. Blythe’s multifaceted talents and relentless passion for storytelling continue to shape his remarkable journey.
What I Am Working On Now
In the past few years, I have gone back to writing plays. In the 1980s I got very interested in theatre – I worked with a theatre company in Wales, writing new plays and learning about how theatre is made. One of my plays won an award from the Drama Association of Wales, but then life got in the way and I moved on to other writing – textbooks, learning materials, and research papers mainly.
Around five years ago, I was talking with an actor friend of mine, and we discovered a mutual admiration for the work of Leonard Rossiter, a well-known actor from the 1970s and 80s. As a result of that conversation, I wrote a one-man show, “Rossiter”, which my friend appeared in. The show was a sell-out, so I wrote more plays.
Currently, I am working on a musical about the life of Joe Hill, the Union activist from the early part of the 20th century. Hill was an activist, a songwriter, and eventually a martyr: he was executed by firing squad in Utah in 1915. His life and work was an inspiration to many others who came after him – Woody Guthrie, Joan Baez, and even Bob Dylan acknowledge Joe Hill.
I’m also working, off and on, on another novel. This one is about the ups and downs of life as a Brit living in Spain – it’s based around people from a wide range of backgrounds, all trying to make a new life in a new country.
Last year I released an album of my own songs, “No Promises”. I guess this was a labour of love, since I am unlikely to be doing any concerts in future, but it was fun to do. I was at the launch of a friend’s album, and I played a couple of my songs. A record producer who was there asked if I had recorded any of them, I said no I hadn’t, he gave me his card, and we went from there. The album made the list for Welsh Album of the Year, but didn’t win (unfortunately).