Jim Krueger

A talented guitarist from Manitowoc, WI, Jim Krueger first attained notoriety with Dave Mason as his second guitarist and occasional co-songwriter. He played with Mason from the mid-'70s throughout the early '80s and was responsible for writing Mason's biggest hit "We Just Disagree," which made Dave Mason a staple on pop radio. Krueger seemed to fit well into the L.A. pop/rock arena as he also did sessions with pop flutist Tim Weisberg and guitarist Les Dudek. He released a solo album in 1978 called Sweet Salvation which further substantiated his pop affinities. It was recorded with keyboard whiz Michael Omartian as well as Mike Finnegan, with whom he worked in Mason's band and with whom he would share the bill in his next project the Dudek, Finnegan, Krueger Band whose self-titled debut was released in 1980. It was another excursion into slick West Coast-styled pop, but failed to receive significant attention, likely due to the rapidly shifting musical climate of that period. After almost a decade of inactivity and obscure session work, Jim Krueger would re-emerge in the early '90s as a key member ("Otto") of the novelty/bar band the Happy Schnapps Combo, based in his home town of Manitowoc. He produced the Combo's first two albums, 100 Proof (1991) and Raise It! (1992), before his untimely death in 1993. ~ Dave Sleger