A native of Cleveland, Jim Brickman began playing piano at the age of five, studied music at the prestigious Cleveland Institute of Music and since then revolutionized the sound of Adult Contemporary music with his pop-style solo piano. He founded his own advertising music company in 1980, writing commercial jingles for such advertisers as McDonald’s, Pontiac and Kellogg’s.
Jim’s remarkable career includes six Gold and Platinum selling albums, three 1 and twelve Top 10 Adult Contemporary radio hits, consistent debuts at 1 on Billboard Magazine’s New Age chart, a Grammy nomination in 2003, SESAC “Songwriter of the Year” award, a Canadian Country Music Award for “Best Vocal/ Instrumental Collaboration,” a Dove Award presented by the Gospel Music Association for “The Gift.”
Since his first hit "If You Believe" in March 1996, Jim Brickman has had more AC hits (23 hits) than any other male artist. Second is Elton John with 17 followed by Rod Stewart with 16. Along with his career highlights, Jim’s best-known compositions include the chart-toppers “Valentine,” “The Gift,” “Love of My Life,” and “Peace.” In November 2005, he held the top three spots on Billboard’s New Age chart for his albums The Disney Songbook, Grace and Greatest Hits. Jim has established a reputation for his collaborations with many gifted musical artists that include: Martina McBride, Michael W. Smith, Kenny Loggins, Carly Simon, Sara Evans, Gerald Levert, Richie McDonald, Herb Alpert, Collin Raye, Pam Tillis, Michael Bolton, Donny Osmond and Olivia Newton-John.
Taking his popular live concerts to more than 125 cities each year, Brickman has received international acclaim as a concert performer. Recently, he performed on his second sold-out Jim Brickman Valentine Cruise, a unique event that has become an annual favorite.
A strong supporter of Public Broadcasting, Jim has taped three concert specials for that network, which include Jim Brickman at the Magic Kingdom—The Disney Songbook (2005), My Romance, An Evening With Jim Brickman (2000) and Love Songs and Lullabies (2002). He has been equally successful in other artistic endeavors, including a weekly syndicated radio show, Your Weekend with Jim Brickman, and two best-selling books of essays, Simple Things and Love Notes: 101 Lessons from the Heart. Jim performed at ABC’s Gala for the President at Ford’s Theatre, was music correspondent for NBC’s Today and hosted the A&E special Winter Solstice on Ice.
Other entrepreneurial ventures include Brickhouse Direct, an on-line marketing, website-design and fulfillment business, which creates websites and offers marketing tools to the entertainment industry, and boasts a client list that includes Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Point of Grace, Shooter Jennings, Anita Renfro, Sandi Patty, Frank Peretti, Michael Feinstein and Universal Records.