While still a teenager in Woodstock, Weider was influenced by guitarist Buzz Feiten, Robbie Robertson and harp blues musician Paul Butterfield, he became acquainted with Levon Helm and Garth Hudson and was exposed to the Band's music.

[citation needed] Weider went on to become an accomplished studio session player in cities such as Nashville, touring with Johnny Paycheck, Lee Clayton and James Talley and in Atlanta working at Axis Studios with Harvey Brooks (bassist) and Richard Bell (musician)[1] but eventually returned to Woodstock to tour with Robbie Dupree and Levon Helm Woodstock All Stars.

Levon Helm invited Jim to become the Band's sole guitarist in 1985, remaining until the group's dissolution in 2000 following the death of Rick Danko in late 1999.

[2] Highlights with The Band include performing at Roger Waters THE WALL in Berlin, Germany 1990, Bob Dylan's 30th anniversary celebration and Woodstock '94.

After receiving support from fans, Weider, Ciarlante and Isaacs decided to continue the tradition of performing songs from The Band and invited Brian Mitchell and Marty Grebb -who contributed to both the Jericho and Jubilation albums- to complete their sound.

Some of the guest artists were Jackie Greene, Larry Campbell (musician), Paul Barrere & Fred Tackett, David Bromberg, Maria Muldaur and John Sebastian, with part of the proceeds going to Levon Helm Studios.