James M. "Jim" Eller was born in Mexia, Texas. He has one brother.

Jim began to play the guitar while he was in high school. He graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Animal Husbandry, and was a member of the Aggie Band for four years. Jim holds a Masters Degree in Ag Economics from the University of Houston, as well as an MBA from the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania. During his years at A&M, Jim played the guitar with various groups.

After he graduated from college, Jim entered the Air Force and attained the rank of 1st Lieutenant. Following his completion of duty with the Air Force, Jim began working with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice as the Manager of Field Crops on the State Prison Farms at Sugarland, Texas. He worked with the prison system for seven years, and then moved to Bryan, Texas as the Manager of the 8,000 acre Chance Farm in the Brazos river bottom. While at Chance Farm, in 1963, it was mentioned that Jim liked the sound of the banjo. For Christmas that year, Jim's employees presented him with a banjo.

Jim has served terms on the Board of Directors of the National Cattlemen's Association, National Livestock and Meat Board, the Texas and Southwest Cattle Raisers and American and Texas Quarter Horse Associations. He also served as President of the International Brangus Breeders Association, was appointed to the Texas Animal Health Commission by the Governor of Texas, and served three terms on the Board of Directors of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

During this period, Jim played the banjo with groups at cattle sales, and for various events in the area. It was during this time that he began playing with Delbert Reed (fiddle). Shortly after, Jim and Delbert were joined by Gene Davee (guitar), Gary Potter (mandolin), and Ken Knauer (bass). The time Jim has played with the members of Brazos Country Grass ranges from 15 to 27 years.

In 1992, Granada sold most of its holdings, and Jim purchased Granada Equine Services, which is operated today by Jim's son, Jimmy, who is a member of the bluegrass group Cedar Creek.

In 1997, Jim retired as Executive Assistant to the Director of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

Today, Jim and his wife Barbara live in Robertson County on one of the Granada ranches he purchased. They have built a home near Wheelock, about 30 miles north of Bryan.

Jim has two sons, a daughter, ten grandchildren and three great-grandson. Following in the tradition set by their father, two of Jim's children also graduated from Texas A&M University.