Jim with his mother, Edna Sadie.
Jim Sadie was transformed by the sound of the organ the first time he heard one. Born in Montgomery, Alabama, he has become an organ enthusiast, a student of music, and a composer of church music.
At six years old, he proudly tapped out “Holy, Holy, Holy” for his church’s Sunday worship, and at age 13, he made it his mission to learn everything possible about different organs and how they function. The Forbes’ showroom was just down the street from his family’s home, and he was able to visit regularly: “I would spend hours comparing every little nuance on each stop on each organ – observing how they blended with other stops. It was, and still is, fascinating.”
When he started High School, Jim began to play for another church in addition to his own parish church. The second church had an old pipe organ in need of significant repairs, which led to more learning: how to maintain an old pipe organ. It was a wonderful opportunity to learn not only about the historic pipe organ, but also about different technological advances.
His first-hand experience with digital and pipe organs enhanced his education, as he went on study at Huntingdon College in Montgomery, earning a Bachelor in Arts in organ performance with an emphasis on improvisation and composition.
Jim with his family at Orange Beach, AL
Jim’s passion for church music comes across in his work: “It has been a huge responsibility and also very rewarding to help make a difference with churches, so that they may have the best service possible on an existing organ or obtain the most fitting organ for their particular congregation and worship space. Church music is my life.”
In his time outside of work, Jim enjoys running, watching baseball, and spending time with his family.