An original composition by Kentucky fiddler Jesse Presley “J.P.” Fraley (1924-2011), one of the most respected traditional fiddlers from Carter County, Kentucky.
Fraley recorded this tune for Barbara Kunkle, a folklorist and field recorder who collected traditional music in the Appalachian region. In August 1975, she recorded J.P. Fraley playing fiddle tunes, including “Winds of Shiloh,” as part of her fieldwork documenting traditional musicians in Kentucky. This recording session captured Fraley performing his original composition, which later became known through various collections and recordings of Appalachian fiddle music.
The recording is now part of the Berea College Sound Archives collection (catalog number AC-CT-426-003-B-01), making it an important documentation of Fraley’s repertoire and one of the primary sources for this particular tune. Erynn Marshall’s recording and transcription uses the tuning ADAE.
Tradition: Old Time