John Ashby

b. 6 October 1915, Warrenton, Virginia, USA, d. 11 May 1979. Ashby learned to play fiddle and in 1930, with his brother Marshall and three others, formed the Free State Ramblers, playing for local dances. They remained active until 1943, when they were forced to disband by World War II. During these years Ashby regularly won fiddle contests. In 1947, the Free State Ramblers re-formed and for a few years they were regulars on Connie B. Gay’s popularGay Time on WARL Arlington, Virginia. Ashby eventually retired from regular performances, but continued to play for local dances and functions, usually with his son, George (Skipper), and also appeared at fiddling conventions.