The renowned Fort Worth blues musician, painter, and vibrant personality, James “Gut-tar” Hinkle, is on the mend following a significant heart surgery. His recovery has been described as nothing short of miraculous, especially considering the procedure had only a 10% survival rate, as shared by his wife, Elizabeth Parmer, who has been by his side for 33 years.
Hinkle, a pivotal figure in the Fort Worth music scene and a true icon of the blues genre, is showing remarkable signs of recovery. Parmer detailed that he is now sitting up in a chair, fully conscious, and expressing his love for his family. His first words to her were, “I love you more than anything in the world,” and he reassured their daughter Claire, saying, “I told you I’d never leave you.” Doctors are reportedly visiting him regularly, astonished by the outcome of the surgery.
Earlier that day, Hinkle had summoned an ambulance in the early hours, leading to a dire prognosis from the emergency room physician, who urged the family to say their goodbyes. The diagnosis revealed a “massive” aortic dissection, a serious condition that occurs when the inner layer of the aorta tears, allowing blood to flow between the layers of the artery wall, which can be life-threatening.
This is not Hinkle’s first brush with death; a decade earlier, he faced a life-threatening aortic aneurysm. The same skilled cardio-thoracic surgeon, Dr. Carlos Macias, who operated on him then, was also the one to perform this recent surgery. The procedure lasted for eight arduous hours.
Parmer expressed her relief and hope following the surgery, stating, “I am exhausted but so very hopeful.” She recounted how both she and Claire had been told to prepare for the worst, but Dr. Macias was determined to repair the damage, leading to this positive turn of events. “It’s a long-haul recovery,” she noted, “but [Hinkle] will do it.”
While there is no crowdfunding effort currently in place, Hinkle has expressed a desire for any donations to be made in his name to the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM) or similar organizations that assist artists with medical expenses. Parmer mentioned, “He would probably love that and be honored.”
Wishing a swift recovery to Jimmy Hinkle. You are deeply cherished.
