Jim McKinney started his musical endeavors with the guitar at the age of 18 in 1978. His grandfather, a native of Harlan, Kentucky, had immigrated to Michigan for work and encouraged him to begin the fiddle upon seeing his success with the guitar. Jim became a member of the Silver Strings Dulcimer Club, backing them up on guitar. Eventually, he began attending fiddlers jamborees as well as other musical sessions. He also became an active participant in the folk and traditional music of southeastern Michigan, a scene that involved an array of Irish, Scottish, southern, and regional Michigan tunes and styles. Jim spent his childhood in Ypsilanti and Ridgeway, Michigan, and has been a longterm native of southeastern Michigan. Jim has been an active member of many music and dance organizations.

Jim was the 2013 inductee into the Michigan Fiddlers Association “Michigan Fiddlers Hall of Fame.” Jim has a 22-yearstreak performing with the Golden Griffon Stringtet, a band that plays traditional hammered dulcimer and fiddle music and performs actively in Michigan. Jim also calls for dances. Jim’s wife Loretta plays hammered dulcimer. With the stringtet, with Loretta, and solo, Jim has produced six albums. His album Newfangled Barn Dance is comprised of his original tune compositions.

Jim has also helped produce tune books preserving the repertoire and history of Allegan County fiddler, Les Raber. Jim’s work transcribing the tunes of Michigan fiddlers continues. Jim has competed notably in many competitions, including wins and many places, and he has been director of the Michigan Old Time Fiddlers Contest at the Huron Applefest since 2006. Jim reorganized the contest in an attempt to stay true to Michigan’s fiddling traditions. Jim currently makes his home in Romulous, Michigan.

Bio by Trae McMaken for the Michigan Traditional Arts Program.

Read more about Jim at the MSU Museum Great Folks blog: http://gr8tfolks.blogspot.com/2014/08/fiddlers-and-collectors-glenn-hendrix.html