Jim Choukas-Bradley - Black Hills Ranger

Singer-songwriter Jim Choukas-Bradley has released his sophomore album, Black Hills Ranger, available now on all streaming platforms. Recorded in Nashville, the new collection blends Americana, folk, and storytelling inspired by a lifetime of travel, history, family, and the American landscape.

Black Hills Ranger follows Jim’s debut album, Rising Tide, which was recorded in part at Levon Helm’s legendary studio in Woodstock, New York. While his first release introduced listeners to his thoughtful songwriting, Black Hills Ranger expands on that foundation with songs rooted in decades of personal experiences and a deep appreciation for the people and places that have shaped his life.

Born in Hartford, Connecticut, Jim spent his childhood exploring the riverside woods near his neighborhood before attending high school in Bangkok, Thailand, and later in Westchester County, New York. His adventurous spirit eventually took him west to Oregon, where he hitchhiked the Pacific Coast, rode freight trains, wrote songs, and developed a lifelong passion for American history—an influence that continues to define his songwriting today.

After graduating from the University of Vermont, Jim married his wife, Melanie, whom he met in a Russian literature class. Their shared love of music and storytelling has remained central to their lives, with Melanie contributing lyrics to two songs on Black Hills Ranger and their son, Jesse, providing vocals and guitar throughout the album.

Outside of music, Jim has spent more than 45 years as a practicing attorney, helping communities across the United States secure reliable, affordable energy. His legal career has taken him to all 50 states, experiences that have broadened his perspective and provided endless inspiration for his songwriting.

Though balancing a full-time legal career, Jim has continued performing original music throughout the Washington, D.C. area, Nashville, Vermont, and New Hampshire’s White Mountains. With the release of Black Hills Ranger, he looks forward to introducing his music to audiences across the country while continuing to tell stories that celebrate America’s history, landscapes, and enduring spirit.