Reidsville: James Bill "J.B." Prince, 58, of Reidsville, passed away Tuesday, July 7, 2015 at his home. The family will receive friends Monday, July 13, 2015 at Wilkerson Funeral Home from 6:00 – 8:00 PM and other times at 187 Thompson Heights Road. A memorial service will follow at a later date. J.B. was a native of Haywood County and was the son of the late James and Eva Arlesa West Prince. He was a musical prodigy as a child and quickly became a world class fiddler thrilling audiences for a lifetime. He played with some of the finest bluegrass artists around the world. In his later years, his passion turned from performing to teaching. Along with his parents, he was also preceded in death by his sister, Naomi, Claire and Sue Payne. J.B. is survived by his sister, Rita Rice and husband, Lloyd of Brevard, NC; the love of his life for 24 years Cerita Stratton Massey of the home; her son, Brandon Massey; his special little buddies, Master Seth Massey and Master Logan Massey; many, many friends that his has made music with over the years. He would want his students to know how proud he was of each of them.
---------------------------------------------Biography-------------------------------------------
Prince grew up as a child prodigy, winning prizes at fiddler's conventions in his native North Carolina while still a young teen. Before he was out of high school he was performing with professional bands, and recorded at age 16 with the Green Valley Ramblers with Tony Williamson.
He is remembered for his remarkable facility on not only fiddle, but mandolin, banjo, and guitar as well. Prince was a particular student of the fiddling of Kenny Baker, and combined Baker's smooth bow with a wit and playfulness that made him a favorite on stage.
Friends also recall his proficiency as a fiddle set up man, turning average instruments into monsters in his hands.
A high point of his pre-adult career was an opportunity to appear on the 1960s television program, To Tell The Truth, in which celebrity competitors try to correctly identify which of three contestants has the identified special talent or career. He was 13 at the time.
He played for a time as a member of The Bluegrass Cardinals in the late 1980s, but seemed to prefer a more unstructured life teaching, working on instruments, and doing occasional performances with regional groups.
Perhaps J.B.'s greatest legacy will live on in his many successful students, several of whom have come to prominence. Daniel Greeson, a very talented young artist studied with Prince for nearly a decade, and credits him as the greatest fiddler he ever heard. Another is Dewey Brown, former fiddler with Ralph Stanley & the Clinch Mountain Boys and Owner of the Liberty Showcase Theatre and the Reidsville Showcase Theatre.
---------------------------------------------Biography-------------------------------------------
Prince grew up as a child prodigy, winning prizes at fiddler's conventions in his native North Carolina while still a young teen. Before he was out of high school he was performing with professional bands, and recorded at age 16 with the Green Valley Ramblers with Tony Williamson.
He is remembered for his remarkable facility on not only fiddle, but mandolin, banjo, and guitar as well. Prince was a particular student of the fiddling of Kenny Baker, and combined Baker's smooth bow with a wit and playfulness that made him a favorite on stage.
Friends also recall his proficiency as a fiddle set up man, turning average instruments into monsters in his hands.
A high point of his pre-adult career was an opportunity to appear on the 1960s television program, To Tell The Truth, in which celebrity competitors try to correctly identify which of three contestants has the identified special talent or career. He was 13 at the time.
He played for a time as a member of The Bluegrass Cardinals in the late 1980s, but seemed to prefer a more unstructured life teaching, working on instruments, and doing occasional performances with regional groups.
Perhaps J.B.'s greatest legacy will live on in his many successful students, several of whom have come to prominence. Daniel Greeson, a very talented young artist studied with Prince for nearly a decade, and credits him as the greatest fiddler he ever heard. Another is Dewey Brown, former fiddler with Ralph Stanley & the Clinch Mountain Boys and Owner of the Liberty Showcase Theatre and the Reidsville Showcase Theatre.
Reidsville: James Bill "J.B." Prince, 58, of Reidsville, passed away Tuesday, July 7, 2015 at his home. The family will receive friends Monday, July 13, 2015 at Wilkerson Funeral Home from 6:00 – 8:00 PM and other times at 187 Thompson Heights Road. A memorial service will follow at a later date. J.B. was a native of Haywood County and was the son of the late James and Eva Arlesa West Prince. He was a musical prodigy as a child and quickly became a world class fiddler thrilling audiences for a lifetime. He played with some of the finest bluegrass artists around the world. In his later years, his passion turned from performing to teaching. Along with his parents, he was also preceded in death by his sister, Naomi, Claire and Sue Payne. J.B. is survived by his sister, Rita Rice and husband, Lloyd of Brevard, NC; the love of his life for 24 years Cerita Stratton Massey of the home; her son, Brandon Massey; his special little buddies, Master Seth Massey and Master Logan Massey; many, many friends that his has made music with over the years. He would want his students to know how proud he was of each of them.
---------------------------------------------Biography-------------------------------------------
Prince grew up as a child prodigy, winning prizes at fiddler's conventions in his native North Carolina while still a young teen. Before he was out of high school he was performing with professional bands, and recorded at age 16 with the Green Valley Ramblers with Tony Williamson.
He is remembered for his remarkable facility on not only fiddle, but mandolin, banjo, and guitar as well. Prince was a particular student of the fiddling of Kenny Baker, and combined Baker's smooth bow with a wit and playfulness that made him a favorite on stage.
Friends also recall his proficiency as a fiddle set up man, turning average instruments into monsters in his hands.
A high point of his pre-adult career was an opportunity to appear on the 1960s television program, To Tell The Truth, in which celebrity competitors try to correctly identify which of three contestants has the identified special talent or career. He was 13 at the time.
He played for a time as a member of The Bluegrass Cardinals in the late 1980s, but seemed to prefer a more unstructured life teaching, working on instruments, and doing occasional performances with regional groups.
Perhaps J.B.'s greatest legacy will live on in his many successful students, several of whom have come to prominence. Daniel Greeson, a very talented young artist studied with Prince for nearly a decade, and credits him as the greatest fiddler he ever heard. Another is Dewey Brown, former fiddler with Ralph Stanley & the Clinch Mountain Boys and Owner of the Liberty Showcase Theatre and the Reidsville Showcase Theatre.
---------------------------------------------Biography-------------------------------------------
Prince grew up as a child prodigy, winning prizes at fiddler's conventions in his native North Carolina while still a young teen. Before he was out of high school he was performing with professional bands, and recorded at age 16 with the Green Valley Ramblers with Tony Williamson.
He is remembered for his remarkable facility on not only fiddle, but mandolin, banjo, and guitar as well. Prince was a particular student of the fiddling of Kenny Baker, and combined Baker's smooth bow with a wit and playfulness that made him a favorite on stage.
Friends also recall his proficiency as a fiddle set up man, turning average instruments into monsters in his hands.
A high point of his pre-adult career was an opportunity to appear on the 1960s television program, To Tell The Truth, in which celebrity competitors try to correctly identify which of three contestants has the identified special talent or career. He was 13 at the time.
He played for a time as a member of The Bluegrass Cardinals in the late 1980s, but seemed to prefer a more unstructured life teaching, working on instruments, and doing occasional performances with regional groups.
Perhaps J.B.'s greatest legacy will live on in his many successful students, several of whom have come to prominence. Daniel Greeson, a very talented young artist studied with Prince for nearly a decade, and credits him as the greatest fiddler he ever heard. Another is Dewey Brown, former fiddler with Ralph Stanley & the Clinch Mountain Boys and Owner of the Liberty Showcase Theatre and the Reidsville Showcase Theatre.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
