Jim Eanes, born Homer Robert Eanes Jr. on December 6, 1923, in Mountain Valley, Virginia, was a prominent figure in the bluegrass and country music scenes. Despite an early injury to his left hand, Eanes learned to play the guitar and began his musical journey in his father's string band. His career took off in 1940 when he joined Roy Hall's Blue Ridge Entertainers, performing at a radio station in Roanoke, Virginia. After Hall's death in 1943, Eanes continued to build his career, performing with notable acts like Flatt & Scruggs and Bill Monroe's Bluegrass Boys.

Eanes made his solo recording debut in 1949 with Capitol Records, alongside Homer Sherrill and Snuffy Jenkins. In 1951, he formed The Shenandoah Valley Boys, which performed at the WWVA Wheeling Jamboree. His transition from bluegrass to country music came after signing with Decca Records. Eanes' band, later known as Smilin' Jim and His Boys, included members like Roy Russell, Allen Shelton, and Arnold Terry. Among his popular songs, "Your Old Standby" became his signature, while "Not Afraid" was widely covered by other artists.

Throughout the 1960s, Eanes worked as a deejay and collaborated with Red Smiley and the Bluegrass Cut-Ups. After Smiley's retirement, Eanes led the Shenandoah Cutups and toured extensively, performing at bluegrass festivals in the U.S. and Europe. He even recorded an album in Belgium with the Smoketown Strut. Despite suffering a heart attack in 1978, Eanes continued to influence the genre.

Jim Eanes passed away on November 21, 1995, from congestive heart failure, leaving behind a legacy as a pioneer of bluegrass music. His contributions as a musician, songwriter, and radio personality remain influential, with songs like "Baby Blue Eyes" and "Your Old Standby" considered standards in the genre.