Died On This Date (February 17, 2011) JP Fraley / Bluegrass Fiddler
Jesse “JP” Fraley
DOB Unknown – February 17, 2011
JP Fraley was a bluegrass fiddler who is considered by many to have been the one of the greatest to ever come out of Kentucky. After years working in the local mines, and later as a sales rep for mining equipment, Fraley became a professional musician. He recorded three albums for the revered roots label, Rounder Records – each one included his wife, Annadeene Fraley on guitar. The two spent most of their lives together, having met as children. Fraley spent much of his time teaching young fiddlers and wrote several instruction books. During the ’70s, Fraley began his annual Mountain Music Gathering which started out as a family reunion but quickly grew into one of the biggest old-time music festivals in northeastern Kentucky. JP Fraley was 87 when he passed away on February 17, 2011.