While we’ve been playing together for over a decade, it wasn’t until six years ago that we decided to give this duo concept a go. And boy, did it go. What started as a desire to play a couple of times a month now sees us gigging out just about every weekend. We’re humbled and honored by the outpouring of support we’ve received, and the many die-hard music fans J2 has.

But this is our avocation. By day (and often at night) we both lead different types of creative lives. Jim Morris, who also happens to be married to my best friend Maryann Morris, is co-owner of legendary Morrisound Recording in Tampa.

Jim Morris began playing guitar in high school and soon developed a great passion for all things musical. Coming from a musical family, this wasn’t a big stretch. After attending The University of South Florida to study Electrical Engineering, Jim began playing professionally, traveling throughout Florida until he landed a job at Thoroughbred Music, eventually as the keyboard salesman.

In 1981, Jim and his brother Tom opened Morrisound Recording in Tampa. Early on they both realized that recording engineering and production were an excellent match to their various talents. Among Jim’s first national releases were bands such as Savatage, Crimson Glory, Nasty Savage and others.

In 1986 Morrisound moved into its 56th Street location and projects began to diversify to a large degree.  Jim has earned Gold records for engineering and/or producing artists such as Iced Earth, Warrant and Trans-Siberian Orchestra.  He is involved with many recording projects on many levels, but still keeps his hand in performing, both live and on multiple recordings.

When J2 began six years ago, the Morris Brothers had just sold their studio to Trans Siberian Orchestra as a recording and practice facility. In late 2018, they opened the beautiful, new Morrisound Recording, featuring the immersive recording experience.

I just celebrated my 30th anniversary at the helm of my advertising agency, The Creative Stable. When I went freelance, I was working as the Creative Director at Tampa-based Denton Advertising where I helped craft brands for communities such as Pelican Bay and Gateway by Westinghouse Communities (now WCI), ITT Palm Coast, and U.S. Home. As President of The Creative Stable, my key career highlights include the research, writing and development of the Olympic Bid for the City of Tampa’s Florida 2012 effort. My team and I were also been instrumental in the development of brand for Florida Trend, Chase Home Finance, Pinch A Penny, Hilton Hotels, and Bank of America’s various financial specialty services. I hold a Bachelor of Journalism from the University of Missouri at Columbia School of Journalism, and an Associates degree in commercial art. 

I also currently edit a high-end magazine for a luxury golf and country club community called Lake Jovita Life. This effort led me to establish a publishing arm to The Creative Stable where I hope to be able to provide a similar caliber of communication for other high-end communities throughout Tampa Bay.