JAMES BRYAN

Instruments: Fiddle
Date of Birth:
Place of Birth: Mentone, Alabama

James Bryan of Mentone grew up on Sand Mountain, the son of an old-time musician who took him to visit every fiddler in and around that place famous for fine folk musicians. He learned tunes from local repertoires as well as bluegrass tunes from master fiddler Kenny Baker; who accepted Bryan as an apprentice. He won his first fiddlers' convention at the age of 12 and the prestigious title of Tennessee Valley Fiddle King at the age of 17. He has recorded two solo albums on the Rounder label and many more with Norman and Nancy Blake as the Rising Fawn String Ensemble. He plays Southern old-time and bluegrass tunes learned by ear as well as vintage tunes from New England and Britain, collected from rare old tune books.