Cary Fridley began singing and playing bluegrass banjo at age 13 in her native Alleghany County, Virginia. She soon found her way to the older "high lonesome" singing of the Southern Appalachian tradition, patterning her style and harmony choices on those of the Carter Family, the Stanley Brothers, Roscoe Holcombe and other early country stars. Cary joined The Freight Hoppers in 1995 as guitarist and lead singer, touring with the old-time string band for six years and playing on their three recordings. She moved to the Smoky Mountains to join the band, and it was there she found the rich tradition of ancient ballad singing that still survives today, passed down through the generations.

Cary holds a Masters Degree in Music Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and currently resides in Asheville, NC. She continues to perform solo ballads and string band shows with The Cary Fridley Band, and also plays the acoustic bass with the popular Asheville-based swing band, One Leg Up. She teaches guitar, banjo and singing, and gives workshops in old-time music for schools and summer programs.

Cary's latest CD is “Neighbor Girl.” http://www.caryfridley.net/