Jim Walter began his musical career at the ripe age of 15 when he acquired his first guitar. It was not long before he joined his first band "Bob's Assorted Bacon". At the time, they were described as a 'disco-punk' band, and they played many a well-received show at a variety of venues in the Houston area. His next major endeavor was the result of his urge to be more "experimental". Jim, and many acquaintances in the Houston area, formed an 100% improvisational "group" named "The Invisible Robot Fish". The IRF consisted of Jim on guitar, his roommate on upright bass, as well as a slew of horn players, DJs, percussionists and much more. It was not long before the Invisible Robot Fish became the house band at Houston's non-defunct 'Instant Karma'.
In 1997, Jim moved to Dallas to form a band with his future brother-in-law. Davenport was a highly collective band with 4 strong songwriters and plenty of instrumental prowess to boot. Davenport was known for their 4-hour sets of all-original music.. They were also more than enthusiastic to accept the usual "free-beer while you play, but no money" compensation plans.
After the demise of Davenport, Jim recorded and released his first solo effort entitled "Meat Frog". It was during the recording of his second CD that his wife, a Lotus fan (Dannah), informed him that Lotus was looking for a bass player. He tried out for the band...and the rest is history. He played bass for Lotus for 1 year before switching to guitar in the current incarnation of the band.
Geeky stuff - Jim cites, as his primary influences, Brian Wilson, George Harrison, David Gilmour, Captain Beefheart, Frank Zappa, Sly Stone, Mike Watt, Issac Hayes and Steve Martin. He is also a Fender enthusiast, playing only a Fender Telecaster or Fender Jazz Bass.