Beloved Songwriter & Producer Jim Femino Passes

Grammy nominated singer, songwriter, producer, publisher, educator, speaker, and author Jim Femino passed away on Tuesday (Aug. 3). He was 69.

Before becoming a music industry executive, Femino spent twenty-five years as a country, rock and soul recording artist, touring the eastern hemisphere for crowds big and small. Along the way, he built Road Records, an independent record label, and its accompanying merchandising and sponsorship arms.

After his career as an artist, Femino launched his own publishing company and recording studio in Nashville, and he began to write songs professionally for Music City’s recording artists. Among artists who have recorded his songs are Toby Keith, Ronnie Milsap, Craig Morgan, Jamie O’Neal, John Michael Montgomery, Steve Azar, and others.

His biggest hit was James Otto’s 2008 single, “Just Got Started Lovin’ You.” The song boasted a list of achievements, including a nomination for Best Male Country Vocal Performance at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards, Billboard‘s 2008 Most Played Country Song of the Year, and being named to Billboard‘s Greatest 100 of All-Time Country Songs.

For the last 30 years Femino was President of Songstarters!, Inc., an award-winning publishing, production, artist development, and online songwriter/music education company. He was a board member of the CMA, The Recording Acadmey and various other trade organizations.

Earlier this year, Jim’s wife, Leslie Thola Femino, passed away at the age of 69 due to cancer. Femino is survived by his children Kristie Weidner (Tom Rhoads), Arthur Femino (Michelle), Adam Holcomb (Nicole Nocito) and Matthew Femino; five granchildren Kaitlin Weidner (Keegan Kling), Jacob Weidner, Tori Femino, Sarah Femino, and Jimmy Femino; and one great grandchild Kinsley Kling.

Funeral arrangements for Jim Femino have not yet been announced.

James Otto, who recorded Femino’s biggest hit, posted a tribute to the songwriter, saying that Femino had recently survived a heart attack.