Sister of History Channel's Ax Men's Jimmy Smith Speaks Out

Q: What is History Channel's Ax Men about?
A: It is a reality show about Pacific Northwest loggers.

Q: What is your relationship to the show?
A: I am a little sister of the logger named Jimmy Smith, aka Aquaman, aka Jimmy the Aqua Logger, aka S&S Aqua Logging.

Q: What do you wish the viewers of this show knew about your brother?
A: That he is NOT always a raving lunatic, as the show makes him look like. Granted he does have a temper at times, but he can also have a kind heart.

Q: What is an example of his kind heart?
A: He's always willing to help out if someone he loves is in need. Or even if he saw someone on the side of the road that needed help, he would stop and help. Just like our dad. Our dad would pull right off and help.

Q: Is there a particular example of how you feel the show misrepresents him?
A: We have to remember that this is a reality show, so they are going to show what they feel is going to bring ratings. I did have to cringe when I saw some of the mishaps.

Q: What else would you like viewers of the show to know?
A: On the show, Jim mentioned that our dad had only an 8th grade education. He also mentioned that he felt that our dad was smarter than him. Our dad had to quit school to help out on the family farm. His family needed him. I'm sure Jim would agree that our dad was one of the wisest men we had ever known. Jim respects our dad greatly. Our dad was known as "the Preacher" when he worked for Weyrhauser, another logging company out of Snoqualmie Valley. My dad's friends knew they could rely on him, and I have to say, I have no recollection of my dad ever having a profanity problem. The foul language on "Ax Men" is a little too much, not just with my brother, but all the loggers.

Q: What was it like growing up with Jim?
A: When I was little, he was a teenager, so I didn't see much of him. But I loved it when he would come home and visit.

Q: Did he always want to be a logger?
A: I have no idea.

Q: When you read some of the comments Ax Men fans write online, what goes through your head?
A: Well, some of the comments are very cruel. And I don't know why people need to say things like that. Have they never made a mistake in their lives? My brother is a very colorful character, which sets him up for criticism. It makes my heart feel good when people write kind things about him like, "he's just a good ole boy, trying to make a living." He definitely has fans.

Q: Is Jim benefiting financially from the show?
A: This is a good question. Probably not enough to offset the notoriety and verbal abuse he has to endure.

Q: Can you think of anything else you would like add?
A: The incident with the DNR (Department of Natural Resources) is so publicized right now, but I think that everything will be OK for Jim. I think people should stop slamming him; they don't know all the details. I love my brother; he's my brother.

Q: Thank you for your time.