Born and raised in a Southern California farming region. Moved to Los Angeles worked for 13 years as a film composer (over 20 feature film credits) while continuing to write songs and play and record in bands. Moved to Austin, Texas in 2002. In 2006 released his first artist CD entitled, First Things First. Plays locally, regionally and nationally as solo singer/songwriter and with his band, the Jim Halfpenny Band. "Halfpenny writes deep thought provoking lyrics...one of the better singer/songwriter albums to come my way" - Maria Mesa, Austin Daze Magazine "First things first, LISTEN to this CD! Jim Halfpenny writes from the heart." - Bryan Beck, KGSR Radio, Austin, TX "First Things First is filled with sturdy roots rock with treks to Dave Matthews space jazz" - Jim Caligiuri, The Austin Chronicle.