Died On This Date (February 17, 2011) JP Fraley / Bluegrass Fiddler
themusicsover 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.
What You Should Own
Rick Kulwicki is best remembered as a guitarist for Denver, Colorado punk band, the Fluid. Formed in 1984 out of the ashes of Madhouse, the Fluid went on to release a handful of albums for Rayon, Glitterhouse, Hollywood and most notably, Sub Pop Records. They have the distinction of being the first non-Seattle band signed to that revered label. The band broke up in 1993 and reunited in 2008. All the while, Kulwicki was a constant and respected player throughout the vibrant Denver rock scene. He was most recently a member of the Buckingham Squares. Rick Kulwicki was 49 when he passed away on February 15, 2011. Cause of death was not immediately released.
George Shearing was a popular and influential jazz pianist and composer who could claim over 300 pieces as his own. Born blind in London, Shearing spent his early professional career playing in an all-blind band – he started playing the piano at just three years old. During his late 20s, Shearing moved to the United States where he continued to master his complex style of swing, bop and bebop. In 1949, he formed the George Shearing Quintet and went on to record for such labels as Verve, Capitol, and MGM. His hits included “Lullaby Of Birdland” and “September In The Rain.” Over the years he’s collaborated with the likes of 
Bud Reed was a respected bluegrass and old-timey musician who will be forever linked with his wife and musical collaborator, 
