Jim West began his broadcasting career in the early 70's working part-time while serving in the U.S. Air Force. By the end of the decade, he would be working for Buck Owens and the Owens family at KNIX in Phoenix, Arizona. Over the next 40 plus years, the experience and skills he learned at KNIX served him well in radio stations in cities like Indianapolis, Albuquerque, Baltimore and Tucson. He worked as an on-air radio personality as well as in programming and management positions in radio, television and satellite radio operations.
West is a two-time finalist for Nashville's Country Radio Hall of Fame and a finalist for Large Market Country Music Association (CMA) Broadcast Personality of the Year. He served on the Academy of Country Music (ACM) Board of Directors and was inducted into the Greater Arizona Country Music Hall of Fame in 2019.
In retirement, West has become a music historian and author. His first book was THE PHOENIX SOUND, A History of Twang and Rockabilly Music in Arizona. He is also a co-writer on the book RAY ODOM; A Lifetime of Radio, Records and Racehorses.
He continues to write for major magazines and can be heard on Satellite and Internet radio stations in many areas of the country.
