In Remembrance

J. P. Fraley  1923-2011

It is with great sadness that we learned that J. P. Fraley passed away Thursday, February 17, 2011 at home in Denton, Kentucky, surrounded by friends and family.

We remember J. P. as a wonderful fiddler, a storyteller who could keep people in stitches, and a friendly man who never met a stranger. He began playing the fiddle at a young age, learning from his father and other local fiddlers. He had a smooth, lyrical style that was instantly recognizable. Many people took up fiddling, inspired by the beautiful music he and his wife Annadeene played. Their classic 1973 recording “Wild Rose of the Mountain” is familiar to fiddlers all over the world. J.P. and Annadeene performed at every major folk music festival in the country in the next twenty-two years.

In 1971, Annadeene asked friends to come play music for a family reunion at Carter Caves State Park. Everyone had such a good time that it continued and became the festival we have today, where many have met and played music with J.P. He loved to jam with other musicians and he encouraged many novices by inviting them to play along in jam sessions in the parking lot at Carter Caves.

J.P. received a number of honors during his lifetime. At Fiddler’s Grove in North Carolina, he was honored as a Master Fiddler in 1991 after he won Fiddler of the Festival three times. J.P. won the Senior Fiddle Contest at the Appalachian String Band Festival in Clifftop, West Virginia, and frequently won or placed at many other contests. He was honored as an Appalachian Treasure at Morehead State University in 1997.

We will cherish all the great memories we have of J.P. and Annadeene and will carry on with this festival where we celebrate the traditions of their music and the area.

View the Ashland Independent article "Fiddler J.P. Fraley was a 'Kentucky Treasure'"

If you would like to make a donation in J.P.’s memory, the family is suggesting donations be made to the Friends of Carter Caves.