Jim Kimball's routine may be one-of-a-kind in a world of one-man shows. He's a blood relative of the man he impersonates - J. Golden Kimball, the plain- spoken, plain-thinking LDS general authority who has single-handedly spawned a branch of Mormon folklore.
Jim Kimball looks like his "Uncle Golden," he moves, sounds and laughs like him.So does he personally have the old man's penchant for "salty language" as well?
"No," the performer laughs. "I neither have his rich wit nor his expanded vocabulary."
What Kimball does have is an entertaining hour of anecdotes and insights into the workings of an original mind. And on Saturday, Nov. 23, at 7 p.m. at Bryant Junior High (40 S. 800 East), the curious can see the man at work. The 1996 "Voices of the West" performance will also feature the Deseret String Band - an acoustic group that plays original pioneer music.
"This is a benefit for the Western Folklife Center and KUED Radio," says Hal Cannon, founder of the program. " `Voices of the West' is a regional folk arts program we've been doing for several years now. It's our way of recognizing diverse folk arts. It's been a five-state tour, it's been an ethnic music festival. These days it's mostly a radio show. We're doing five radio shows for various holidays this year."
Tickets are $15 - $12 for Western Folklife members, students and senior citizens. They are available at ArtTix at 355-2787.
The String Band will perform many of the pioneer songs from their CD and video, "The Songs of Statehood." The show will have a centennial spin.
Kimball's version of Kimball will trade heavily on his own video, "Remembering Uncle Golden."
The former LDS leader was born in 1853, the son of Heber C. Kimball. His common touch made him a favorite among turn-of-the-century Mormons and his penchant for stripping the veneer from language and behavior made him a beloved maverick.
"I've found that most Mormons have a Golden Kimball story tucked away in their minds," says great-nephew Jim. "I've always gotten a kick out of hearing them.So, 15 years ago, I wrote an article called `Remembering Uncle Golden.' People wanted to know all about him, so I would read the article at gatherings and answer questions. After my talk, people would come up and tell me even more J. Golden stories. The theatrical performance I do grew out of that."
Kimball has done the show about 175 times now. And though he has no plans to expand the enterprise, his KUED video is selling well and the KUED fund-raiser he headlined did make more than $30,000 for the station.
Listeners may recognize many of the tales he tells. There's the famous "Golden Kimball Doesn't Know Who's Dead Around Here" sketch, the old "Those Guns In Your Back Pockets Might Go Off and Blow Your Brains Out" shtick. But there are also some fresh asides as well. Kimball even allows the old man a touching moment or two, showing that he was more than a Mormon Mort Saul. The leader was not just witty. He was wise.
Finally, one wonders what Uncle Golden himself would think about all the fuss his grandnephew has made of his life.
Kimball, the actor, pauses to ponder the thought.
"Uncle Golden once said that everything that happened got blamed on him or Mae West," he says. "My guess is he would think what I do as a good thing gone too far. Fortunately, I have wonderful support from his family. They've made diaries and letters available to me that have been invaluable."