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When Jimmy Weber was a boy, he figured out the two things he wanted to do with his life—and he discovered them at right about the same time.
These days, you’re likely to see Weber on stage, perhaps filling in on lead guitar for a multitude of bands in Omaha and the surrounding area, or playing his own country songs on stages in Omaha; Sioux Falls and Mitchell, South Dakota; and Nashville. Back then, however, he was simply a boy on a farm near Alexandria, South Dakota.
That 12-year-old kid was fascinated by war movies, and he decided then he wanted to be a soldier and defend his country. At about the same time, his mother came home one day with an electric guitar.
“As soon as I had it in my hands, I fell in love with it,” Weber said.
Playing guitar became a daily ritual, and within a year, he joined a band. A few years later, his dreams came knocking—both of them. Together.
The Air Force band was having auditions, and Weber jumped at the chance to play music and serve his country at the same time.
“My dreams merged at that point: To serve in the military and play music,” Weber said.“It was too good to be true.”
Now 58, Weber looks back on the experience with awe. He deployed during the Gulf War in the 1990s, as well as several more times in the Middle East to bring some semblance of home to his fellow troops through the music he played.
“It’s some of the most rewarding work I’ve ever done,” Weber said.
It also brought along a lot of other opportunities. While in the Air Force, he joined another band. Whenever he had time off, he got on stage with his own music or with many notable names, taking leaves to join touring musicians doing USO shows.
“I’ve had tremendous opportunities,” Weber said. It’s made for quite the list of stories, including touring with country star Neal McCoy, singer-songwriter John Denver, and Wayne Newton. Weber even appears in country star Ray Scott’s video for “Those Jeans.”
After 24 years, Weber retired from active duty. He now works for the Air Force as a civilian. Performing for veterans remains a passion, and he works regularly with Warhawk Service Dogs, which provides service animals for veterans, and Guitars for Vets, which gives veterans guitars and lessons.
Weber isn’t stopping his own music either. Though he’s a country singer, he pulled inspiration from an unlikely source: Newton. When Weber toured with Mr. Las Vegas, Newton was aging, but still a fantastic performer.
“Here was a guy in his 60s… He was the greatest entertainer I’ve ever been on stage with,” Weber said. “I thought, ‘I can do this for the rest of my life.’ And that’s our plan right now. We’re having more success today than we’ve ever had.”
Indeed, he’s in a prolific period. His tour schedule is packed, and he’s sitting on three albums of material, which he recorded at long-running Nashville space Hilltop Recording Studio with an all-star cast of musicians. Joining him on the tracks are musicians Mike Rogers, Brent Mason, and Lonnie Wilson, whose names country fans will recognize as side-men for Zac Brown Band, Tim McGraw, George Strait, Faith Hill, Craig Morgan, and John Michael Montgomery, among many others.
“It’s so crazy,” Weber said. “I’m listening to a lot of my heroes on my own record.”
And the dream? That’s still alive, too. It’s just shifted a little as Weber has gotten older. He’s played all over the world with a top-line cast of famous musicians, but there’s one place left to play: The Grand Ole Opry.
Of course, he’s played there once before, invited to sing with Scott, but the true dream is to play there himself.
“My own music. My own band,” Weber said.
This article originally appeared in the November/December 2024 issue of Omaha Magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.
