Born and raised in Detroit, Jimmy Fields’ mother Ann Spencer Fields guided him toward music.
His father, Joseph Fields, pushed him towards athletics, and he played football at Catholic Central High School. When an injury ended his career, Jimmy pursued his ‘backup,? music, where he excelled.
After playing almost every instrument in the band, he graduated high school and went on to attend the University of Michigan, majoring in music.
To follow up his success in college, Jimmy joined the Army Band in Washington, D.C., where he played the saxophone and later started a band called the ‘Blue Tones.?
In the 1970s, Jimmy had the opportunity to open for Flip Wilson and Dinah Shore in Las Vegas. After performing in the big time, Jimmy was ready to bring his talents home to Michigan.
He played at the Fenton Hotel, Jimmy G’s, Twin Gardens, and eventually began a seven-year tenure playing the ‘piano bar? at Deer Lake Athletic Club in Clarkston. It was here where Jimmy became most popular and where he met his best friend and figurative brother for life, Ray Heaton.
Throughout their 13-year friendship, Jimmy and Heaton found themselves building traditions and memories together.
‘Every Friday night we met at Deer Lake to listen to Jimmy perform, and as time went on, we found we met more people, which then evolved into friendships. Eventually, it wasn’t uncommon to see a group of 20 of our friends gathered around to listen to Jimmy,? Heaton said.
‘For almost eight years, Jimmy performed Wednesday through Saturday night, occasionally accompanied by his fianc’e Judy, also a singer. Together, they performed popular songs from Broadway musicals, such as CATS and Phantom of the Opera.
Once Jimmy’s time at Deer Lake started to slow down, he and Judy began a new venture: the JimJud Golf Outing. This annual social event took place at a different Michigan location for nine years. For Jimmy and Judy, it was a special three-day event to spend with their friends.
Then, to add a new ritual to their traditions, Heaton and his wife’also named Judy’invited Jimmy and Judy to their house in Florida for their annual St. Patrick’s Day party. For seven years, the tradition continued as Jimmy arrived to perform for Heaton and his neighborhood friends at the party.
?’The party seemed to always be successful because of Jimmy’s talent and overall performance. Eventually, I had to build a dance floor and a stage right over my pool, which added to Jimmy’s show and the amount of fun we’d have,? Heaton said.
But the year came when Jimmy would perform on that stage in Florida for the last time. In 2006, Jimmy was diagnosed with bone marrow cancer and, given only a year to live. He kept the news from his friends for as long as he could to keep them from sorrow and worry.
However, after learning of the news, Heaton decided to build a front deck on Jimmy’s home in Fenton, a hobby he picked up after retiring.
‘Jimmy used to love to watch people from the front porch of his house in Detroit while growing up,? Heaton said. ‘Unfortunately, Jimmy never had a front porch as an adult and I wanted him to enjoy that part of his childhood for as long as he could before he passed.?
Jimmy enjoyed that porch and time with his friends and family for almost three years, as he fought the battle against cancer.
On Feb. 1, 2009, Jimmy Fields passed away at the age of 70.
To honor his best friend, Heaton planted a hibiscus tree at the ninth tee box at the Royal Tee Country Club in Florida. With it is a plaque, ‘In memory of our dear friend Jimmy Fields.?
‘I was on that exact hole when I last talked to Jimmy before he passed and I wanted to honor Jimmy. Now I always have a way of remembering him when I go golfing. It’s a nice place to reflect,? said Heaton.
‘While the tree serves as a personal tribute in Florida, Heaton, along with Jimmy’s fianc’e, want to honor his name and life by starting an annual golf outing.
The first annual Jimmy Fields Memorial Golf Outing takes place Saturday, Aug. 8, at The Fountains Golf Club in Independence Township.
The event begins at 1 p.m.
The $100-per-person cost includes golf, two drink tickets, dinner and a program reflecting on Jimmy’s life.
For those who just want to attend dinner, the cost is $40. The golf-themed evening also includes prizes and raffle.
The family has chosen to run the fundraiser through Grace Missionary Church, which makes the event non-taxable; 100 percent of proceeds will be equally divided among the three foundations.
Proceeds go to the Great Lakes Cancer Center, which aids people with bone marrow cancer, the Polycystic Kidney Foundation, because of the transplant Jimmy’s son, Tom, had to receive (from his own brother Jim), and Brian’s House, where Jimmy spent the final days of his life.
For more information or to register for the event, visit jimmyfieldsouting.com or call Ray Heaton at 248-425-4245.?