The sad beginnings to be found in dysfunctional families often set the stage for tragic endings. All the elements of tragedy were in place for Jimmy Haislip '54, but he was proven to be one of those who overcame the odds. Tragedy was not to be the ultimate fate of this young man.

Born in 1936, Jim suffered from child abuse and epilepsy acquired from brain damage incurred when he was struck by a car at age 6. As he grew up he drifted into alcoholism and eventually had a nervous breakdown.

Jimmy started Wellston Junior High in '49 when he was 13, becoming instant friends with David Dungan. Dave played the tuba in the high school band. (In order to have enough band members the high school would recruit from the Junior High.) Jim was asked if he'd like to try the trombone, to which he replied 'yes'!.

The extent of Jim's formal trombone lessons consisted of Mr. Gratius, then music director, showing him how to play a few notes, how to take the trombone apart, then put it back together again, and letting him take the trombone home for the summer so he could practice.

Mr. Gratius was replaced by Maurice Schaum as director that fall. In the spring of 1950, Mr Schaum, formed a dance band, known as the Weltones. The purpose of the band was to train future musicians, plus provide music for school dances as well as for outside engagements. Their first public appearance was at a home basketball game that year.  

They would meet daily at 8 am, filling the halls of Wellston with both sweet and hot music. The band became one of the most active organizations in school, playing at basketball games,

auditorium sessions, school dances, and the Wellston Community Center. Six members of the Weltones, Frances Stamm, James Haislip, Bob Percival, Gene Moehlenkamp, Jim Thompson, and Don Conners formed a Dixieland Band. From this group a star would rise.

Jim majored in criminal  law and criminal evidence, graduating from the St. Louis Police Academy with honors where he spent 13 years before changing vocations. He is considered to be one of the top 10 jazz trombonists in the country, celebrating a career that spanned some 55 years.

Haislip sat in with jazz greats such as Bobby Hackett, Al Hirt, Pete Fountain, Bob Crosby and many more international artist. He appeared on the TV and radio versions of Arthur Godfrey's talent scout show, played on the Tonight Show, Garry Moore's I've Got a Secret, Ed Sullivan Show and many other appearances around the country at various studios. Over 100 recordings, with various artists, credit "Jimmy Haislip - Trombone".

Jim's love for playing the trombone and his love for Dixieland music has taken him all over the world. He played with several well known bands at Gas Light Square, among other gigs in St. Louis, New York City, and New Orleans. He never became rich, money wise, but he certainly loved what he was doing at the time.

His brother, Tom Haislip, wrote of Jim's life growing up in Wellston and the trials and tribulations Jim experienced on the road to the bottom, before he turned his life around.

Jim found Christ and his conversion to Christianity was nothing short of a miracle. Jim is now a minister and Director of Hope Ministries in St. Louis. Visit his website