Music is in Jimmy Rankin's blood

His musical successes are nothing short of astonishing. Singer-songwriter Jimmy Rankin's solo work and Rankin Family awards include sixJunos, 28 East Coast Music Awards, nineSOCANtop radio play awards, sevenCanadian Country Music Awards, twoMusic NS Awards, twoCanadian Radio Music Awardsand 2010 semi-finalist in The International Songwriting Competition.

My earliest memories are of performing or being around music, so it's in my blood, definitely.-Jimmy Rankin

Add to that, his hitsingle Fare Thee Well Love was voted the number onespot in CBCs Top Ten East Coast Song of All Time.

But it's no wonder, when you consider how important music is to him.

"I've played music all my life," said the Mabou native. "My earliest memories are of performing or being around music, so it's in my blood, definitely."

He said the family always performed together as a group, playing for local functions and cilidhsaround Cape Breton.

But now he's performed as a solo artist for longer than he performed as part of The Rankin Family band. Still he misses performing with his siblings.

"That's one of the biggest differences for me -- having other members of your family who are of like mind being able to bounce ideas off -- the musicalcamaraderie."

Not that he isn't gettinghelp from some pretty heavy-hitting talent. Appearing on his latest album, Back Road Paradise, are bluegrass icon Allison Krauss and Blue Rodeos Jim Cuddy.

"One of the benefits of being around for a long time in this industry is you bump into a lot of people, you make a lot of friends," he said.

"Fortunately I'm able to get in touch with people, call them up and ask them if they'll collaborate with me on something. Most times people say yes."