JAKE KRACK "2001 PERFORMING ARTIST" RECIPIENT - Sixth Annual Artisan Awards At Beckley

(05/15/2001)

Calhoun's outstanding 16-year-old fiddle player, Jake Krack, was presented the "2001 Tamarack Performing Artist" award at the Sixth Annual Artisans ceremony at Beckley last Saturday. Krack, along with winners in five other categories, was selected from a 2000 person artisan base from around the state.

Krack has appeared in dozens of venues from the Kennedy Center in Washington to national TV's "Good Morning America" and a CNN special, in addition to appearances at Vandalia and the West Virginia Folk Festival. He has received numerous awards for his old-time fiddle performances and will shortly be releasing his fifth CD.

Jake's "One More Time" CD, one of five available

Jake, now a student a Calhoun High School, began fiddlin' at age 6. He has been learning from master fiddlers ever since, including Melvin Wine, Brad Leftwich, Wilson Douglas and Lester McCumbers. Jake and his family moved to Calhoun County to be closer to accomplished fiddlers.

Former West Virginia Governor Gaston Caperton was presented the "Spirit of Tamarack" award. Other artisans recognized:

Glen Barnes (Wetzel County) 2001 Tamarack Artist Award

Bill Clements (Kanawha County) 2001 Tamarack Author/Publisher Award

Frank Hedgecock (Raleigh County) 2001 Tamarack Craftsperson Award

Janet Toney (Summers County) 2001 Tamarack Food/Agricultural Award