Jim Varsos (1952 – October 5, 2021), known by the stage name Hobo Jim, was an Alaskan folk singer-songwriter. He was one of the most popular guitar players in Alaska,^[1] playing frequently at small venues across the state.^[2] In 1994, Hobo Jim was named Alaska's official balladeer.^[3][4][5]

Varsos was born in Indiana in 1952, one of four children of Milton M. Varsos (1922–2013) and his wife Mary Ann (née Culbertson).^[6][7][8] His father was of Greek descent, and his family celebrated a number of Greek traditions.^[9] Varsos was raised in Madison, Wisconsin, where he began playing the guitar at the age of 12.^[10] He hitchhiked to Nashville after some time in college, hoping to make it as a country musician.^[10] After spending time hitchhiking and freight riding around the United States, he moved to Alaska in 1972.^[10][11] He settled in the state, making his home in Soldotna.^[12]

Varsos's songs are primarily regional and occupational songs, focusing on Alaska's commercial fishermen, loggers, and miners.^[10] Perhaps the best known of these songs, "Iditarod Trail Song", commemorates the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.^[11]

Varsos lived part-time in Nashville, where he worked with publisher Pat Higdon, singer Russell Smith, and writer Rory Bourke, among others.^[10][11][13] His song "The Rock", which he co-wrote with Smith, has been recorded by Etta James and George Jones;^[14][15] he also co-wrote the Janis Ian song "Empty".^[16]

Varsos was a collector of Alaska Native artifacts.^[17]

In 2018, Varsos received an Honorary Doctorate in Fine Arts from the University of Alaska Fairbanks.^[18]

On September 18, 2021, Varsos announced that he had been diagnosed with terminal cancer.^[11][19] He died in Nashville, Tennessee, on October 5, 2021.^[20][12]

• Thunderfoot (1982)
• Lost and Dyin' Breed (1985)
• Where Legends Are Born (1986)
• Collection (1994)
• Wilderness Way (1996)
• Woodsmoke (2004)
• My Wild and Wolfen Ways (2015)