Island Music - Sunny Jim

About Sunny Jim

Born James "Sunny Jim" White in San Antonio, Texas, he moved to Bakersfield, California at age 12 and started writing and performing music as a teenager. In 1988, he relocated to the Cayman Islands, serving as artist-in-residence at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cayman for 12 years (1989-2000). Already a gifted guitarist and vocalist, he taught himself steel drum while in the Caymans. On Christmas 1996, he met Jimmy Buffett by chance at the Grand Cayman airport, leading to a lasting friendship and airplay on Radio Margaritaville. A 16-time Trop Rock Music Association Wave Award winner — including Entertainer of the Year (2024), Male Vocalist, Musician, Songwriter, and Performer of the Year — he has written and recorded over 120 songs across 10+ studio albums. His song "Blame It on the Rum" was performed in the 1993 film The Firm.