Biography

Kathryn Parham Brickey grew up in the mountains of Western North Carolina learning fiddle tunes from the greats of the region including Bobby Hicks, Arvil Freeman, and Roger Howell. When college came around, she attended East Tennessee State University where she fiddled and sang in the Bluegrass, Old Time, and Country Music Program. She participated with the program for 4 years playing venues such as the Carter Family Fold, Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion, and the Down Home Johnson City (TN). Chosen by her peers and elders, Kathryn Parham Brickey was the 2012 Bascom Lamar Lunsford Youth Award Recipient. This award has only been given out a handful of times. It is awarded to a young person in the community who exhibits promise, passion, and dedication to the preservation of mountain music. Roger Howell said, “Kathryn represents what we’re in this for. She is the future. She has the grace, the style, the obvious talent, and she understands where it comes from.”

Now married, she lives in Bristol, TN where she performs whenever she can with her dad and other great musicians from the heart of Bluegrass country.