James "Jimmy" August Clark

New Hampshire Musician and Navy Veteran Dies at 73

James “Jimmy” August Clark—a lifelong New Englander, Navy veteran, and musician—died on April 6, 2025, after a long battle with cancer. He was 73.

Born in Northampton, Mass., in 1951 to the late James J. and Rita M. Clark, Jimmy initially grew up in Portland, Maine. Later, the family settled in Amherst, N.H.—a town he would call home for the rest of his life, even as he traveled the world.

From 1979 to 1984, Jimmy served in the U.S. Navy. He was a communications systems manager and teletype repairman, a role that took him from Amsterdam to Africa.

But it was music that defined him.

A bassist and singer-songwriter, Jimmy belonged to several bands over the years. Among the earliest was Sweeney’s Glider, one of the acts to perform at the 1971 End of the Rainbow rock festival—Hillsborough County’s answer to Woodstock—which drew a crowd of 5,000 concertgoers.

In the 1970s, Jimmy began playing with guitarist Eddie Mottau and percussionist Bob Drew. Their enduring collaboration became Mottau, Drew & Clark, noted for their blues-inflected acoustic sound. The trio recorded two albums: Dance for Love (2004) and Revelation/Revolution (2020), the latter featured on the television news program Chronicle. Often, the band jokingly referred to themselves as “The Benefit Brothers,” a nod to their enthusiasm for playing local fundraisers.

Jimmy also brought his expertise to online music gear retailer JustStrings.com. For 26 years, he provided invaluable advice to his customers, ranging from first-time players to seasoned pros (including, notably, Stephen King).

Jimmy was known for his sharp wit, easy charm, and unwavering optimism. He could talk to anyone—and often did. His gift of the gab may have come from his Irish roots, which he took great interest in exploring. That curiosity led to a trip to Ireland in 2005 to trace his family history.

A lover of the outdoors, Jimmy found peace in bass fishing and joy in the company of animals, especially dogs. And as a loyal New England sports fan, he rooted tirelessly for the Red Sox, no matter how dismal the season.

Jimmy is survived by his brother, Michael Clark; sister-in-law, Denise Clark; niece, Shaula Clark; and nephews Max Clark and Joshua Smith. He was predeceased by his sister, Patricia Clark Smith, and nephew Caleb Smith. He also leaves behind many beloved friends. He will be deeply missed.

SERVICES: A memorial service will be held on May 29, 11 a.m., at Meadowview Cemetery on Foundry Street (off Boston Post Road), in Amherst, N.H. A celebration of life will follow at Riley’s Place, 29 Mont Vernon St., Milford, N.H. Family and friends are invited to attend both.