Jim plays acoustic guitar, a little harmonica, and sings. The songs are all lyric based, story songs, pathos, wishes, losses, moments in time, reflections. The music is finger picked or flat picked, sometimes easy going but just as often bluegrass, swing, rockabilly. The listener will recall Doc Watson, Norman Blake, perhaps Willie McTell or even Barney Kessel. Armenti's songwriting talents have earned him great respect in the music industry. He names his primary musical influences as early Elvis, the Beatles, Rolling Stones, country music of the 1960's, union music of the 1930's, Depression songs, Bob Dylan and Italian love songs. His song "Down By the Water" was recorded by Cry, Cry, Cry, Cheri Knight and Pam Tillis. The beautiful song "All Around You" was featured on the last compilation of No Depression magazine. Mark Erelli recorded "Every Goodbye" on his "The Memorial Hall Recordings". "Valley Rock" was the first cut on Signature Sounds record label release. Jim's unique, expert guitar and multi-instrument playing have mesmerized audiences for years and kept him in demand as a guitarist for other groups. Among the many artists fortunate enough to have Jim play with them are Cry, Cry, Cry, Jimmy Ryan, Cheri Knight, Mark Erelli, Robin Lane, Andrew Jones & Spirithouse, Donna Lee Band, The Kennedys and Bill Kirchen. Bill Kirchen, renowned as one of the world's best guitar players, exclaimed after Jim joined him for a show in Northampton, MA Wow! That guy can really play guitar! A notable project of Jim's is his contribution to the rebuilding of the Westhampton, MA public library in the form of a CD including ten songs about libraries and books. Jim donated 100 CDs to the library and hopes to sell another 40,000 to completely fund the project. As half of the songwriting guitar slinging Lonesome Brothers, according to Jim it's a great all-around time: making CDs, writing whatever he wants, playing to an audience that loves the songs and the longevity of being in the band and producing this music. As a soloist the focus is really on songs which rely on story threads and characters. Scenes from skeletons of the New England landscape, weather, architecture become the bones and emotions of peoples' lives.