Getting to know the Kody Norris Show's newest member

Near the end of January, the Kody Norris Show officially took on a new banjo player: 14-year-old Jim Hinsley. In a recent interview, Hinsley discussed his life and how he got invited into the band. Jim originates from Ashland, Kentucky. When asked how he got into music, he said, "My dad likes Doyle Lawson a lot, so we would always listen to Doyle Lawson, Blue Highway, stuff like that. Then, I found the Stanley Brothers, Flatt and Scruggs and [others] on my own." Learning how to play is a similar story for Jim. He learned how to play Mandolin because his father knew how, then branched out to guitar. "And then finally the banjo; that's where I fell in love," he said. He met the Kody Norris Band during his first time at a bluegrass festival. "One morning, in comes this big maroon bus and they start honking their horn, and I'm like 'oh my gosh, this is the Kody Norris Show," he explained. "Then they're meet by this obnoxious, annoying kid who asks them 15 questions a second; so, I'm really glad they put up with me." Band member Mary Rachel Norris said Jim befriended her nephew. A week later, Jim asked to tour with the band as a guest during his 2024 summer vacation; they accepted, and brought him back in 2025. During that 2025 trip, it just so happened the band needed a fill-in for member Josiah Tyree. Jim took up the mantle and stayed with the band as Tyree's leave of absence became permanent. Kody Norris offered Jim an official and permanent position on Jan. 23, 2026, during a live performance. "I didn't believe it," Jim said. "I've always dreamed of being in a professional band, but being able to do it with the people I'm proud to call my friends — it's really a dream come true." Jim said his favorite part of being in the band so far is getting to play at the Grand Ole' Opry, "especially at such a young age." His favorite songs to play are Mountain Rosalie and The Auctioneer because "they're full of energy." When asked how he does schoolwork, Jim said his "teacher is a DVD," and he answers questions in his book. He said he's on track to graduate from high school at the age of 16. Jim said it's important to him to keep regular contact with his parents. He said he returns to Kentucky anytime the band is home for a "decent amount of time." That being said, he's built up a fondness for Mountain City. "I love this town. Believe it or not, I know the layout of Mountain City better than my own hometown," he said. "I'm looking forward to hopefully buying a house here one day and living here for as long as I can".