Jimer Soukup
Founder/ Emcee/ Birthday Boy
If Jackpine is the heart of the summer, Jimer Soukup is the spark that started the fire. A lifelong music lover and memory-maker, Jimer has been bringing people together through music for over 30 years. Before Jackpine, he threw the final Great Northern Bluegrass Festival in Mole Lake, WI in 1992, a fitting send off to one chapter and the beginning of something new.
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What began in 1994 as a backyard birthday party has since grown into a beloved annual tradition, drawing over 2,000 attendees and a tight-knit community of friends who’ve become family. Jimer’s vision, passion, and fun-loving spirit have shaped Jackpine into more than just a music festival. It’s a gathering that feels like home.
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​As our founder, promoter, and unofficial poster boy, Jimer’s smiling face is never far from the action. He’s the guy shaking hands, sharing laughs, and making sure everyone is having a damn good time. We wouldn’t be here without him and we wouldn’t want to be.
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Jimer will be emceeing the festival alongside longtime friend and bluegrass mainstay Art Stevenson. Together, they’ll be keeping the stage energy high, the schedule on track, and the crowd engaged all weekend long.