Jim Graddick started playing the violin in the Blythewood Middle School Orchestra at the age of ten. A year later, he was playing fiddle and mandolin on stage at Bill’s Pickin’ Parlor in West Columbia.

While still in high school, Jim traveled to Asheville, NC to study under Grammy award winner Bobby Hicks, as well as Buddy Spicher and Aubrey Haynie. He also attended workshops with Alan Bibey, Christian Howes, and Julie Lyonn Lieberman.

After two years in the USC School of Engineering, Jim decided to pursue his musical passion, earning his Bachelor of Music with Emphasis in Music Education at the USC School of Music in 2012. During this time, Jim performed in the USC Symphony and studied classical violin with Professor Neil Casey. Also while at USC, Jim had the opportunity to meet Bela Fleck, National Scottish Fiddle Champion Jeremy Kittel, and Marian McPartland of NPR’s Piano Jazz.  Jim started teaching at the USC String Project in 2009 with a studio of over 20 students. Jim “student taught” at many schools in the area, including Meadowfield Elementary and Dutch Fork Middle School.

Since graduating, Jim has joined some local bands and continues to play over 250 gigs per year. These shows have ranged all the way from the Newberry Opera House to Williams-Brice Stadium. Jim competes every August at the Galax Old Fiddlers Convention in Galax, VA and hopes to compete in the next S.C. Fiddling Championship, held every year in Pickens, SC.