JJ Fraser goes by his initials because he is the third Joseph J. in his family, with his father and grandfather going by the nickname Joe.

His mother played the organ and taught keyboard when he was younger, but those instruments never really clicked with him. Seeing others around him play guitar when he was younger, he picked up his older sister’s classical guitar one day and started playing it. After playing by ear for a bit, his parents gave him a record album that included chord diagrams, strumming patterns, and exercises to try.

He also loved singing from an early age, joining the glee club, singing in choirs, and starting various bands and musical groups in high school. He will occasionally play the harmonica in his performances as well.

From an early age, Fraser was surrounded by music. He grew up in the age of groups such as The Beatles, The Eagles, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and The Rolling Stones. He also found himself attached to other artists who performed various styles of music.

Performing solo, he uses a harmonizing pedal to create voices that harmonize with his guitar and his vocals. This is partly in memory of a performing partner of his who died from cancer years ago. He also uses a guitar looper pedal to create a repeating chord pattern to perform over.

He loves venues where visitors often repeat their visits and feel comfortable arriving there and listening to music. He particularly enjoys performing music that other people like hearing. Along with passing out a list of tunes that he can perform as requests for people, he also throws in his own original songs, as he has been a songwriter on and off for years. He hopes that his music brings fun and enjoyment to those who listen.

You can catch JJ Fraser performing live at Last Stand Tavern, 32138 Highway 72 in Coal Creek, on Saturday, January 8, 2022, at 5 p.m.

Here are the listings of live music this week! Check it out and support your local musicians.

Busey Brews

Sunday, January 9 at 2 p.m. - Gratefully Acoustic Duo (of Built to Last)

Sunday, January 16 at 2 p.m. - Geoff Clark

Sunday, January 23 at 2 p.m. - Ashlei Priest

Sunday, January 30 at 2 p.m. - Musicking with Parker

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BuseyBrews/

Website: https://buseybrews.com/

Email: contact@buseybrews.com

Location: 70 E. 1st Street, Nederland.

Phone: 1-855-633-2739

Caribou Room

Saturday, January 29 (Dinner and Doors at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m.) - Tim O’Brien and Jan Fabricius

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecaribouroom/

Website: https://www.thecaribouroom.com/

Location: 55 Indian Peaks Drive, Nederland.

Phone: 303-258-3637

Gold Hill Inn

Friday, December 31 at 7 p.m. - New Year’s Eve Dance Party!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoldHillInn/

Website: goldhillinn.com

Email: cfinn@goldhillinn.com; bfinn@goldhillinn.com

Location: 401 Main Street, Gold Hill.

Phone: 303-443-6461

Howlin Wind Brewing

Saturday, January 8 at 5 p.m. - Adam Pause

Saturday, January 15 at 5 p.m. - Ben Sproul

Sunday, January 16 at 4 p.m. - Micki Balder

Saturday, January 22 at 6 p.m. - Eric Stone

Saturday, January 29 at 3 p.m. - New Family Dog Duo

Website: https://www.howlinwindbrewing.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/howlinwindbrewing

Location: 51 A Main St, Rollinsville.

Phone: 1-309-825-5245

Jamestown Mercantile

Friday, January 7 at 7 p.m. - Fists of the Proletariat

Thursday, January 13 at 7 p.m. - Rico Jones Trio

Thursday, January 20 at 7 p.m. - Chris Sheldon and Friends

Friday, January 21 at 7 p.m. - Big Richard

Thursday, January 27 at 7 p.m. - Greg Schochet

Friday, January 28 at 7 p.m. - Rusty34

Friday, February 4 at 7 p.m. - Old School Friends (featuring Danny Shafer, Josh Elioseff, and Matt Johnson)

Thursday, February 24 at 7 p.m. - FastFloyd

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamestown.mercantile/

Website: https://www.jamestownmercantile.com/

Location: 108 Main Street, Jamestown.

Phone: 303-442-5847

Last Stand Tavern

Saturday, January 1 at 5 p.m. - Chris Koltak

Friday, January 7 at 5 p.m. - Derek Hall

Saturday, January 8 at 5 p.m. - JJ Fraser

Friday, January 14 at 6 p.m. - Karaoke

Saturday, January 15 at 5 p.m. - Rick Lobato and Chuck Lettes

Friday, January 21 at 5 p.m. - Teague Starbuck

Saturday, January 22 at 5 p.m. - Lee and Gary

Friday, January 28 at 6 p.m. - Karaoke

Saturday, January 29 at 5 p.m. - 9’s A Pair

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laststandtavern/

Website: http://laststandtavern.com/

Email: laststandtavern@gmail.com

Location: 32138 Highway 72, Coal Creek Canyon.

Phone: 303-642-3180

Ned’s Cafe

Dam Jam on Thursdays at 10 p.m. Karaoke on Sundays at 7 p.m. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eatatneds/

Website: https://www.eatatneds.com/

Email: eatatneds@gmail.com

Location: 121 N. Jefferson Street, Nederland.

Phone: 1-303-258-0614

The Jamestown Mercantile

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamestown.mercantile/

Website: https://www.jamestownmercantile.com/

Location: 108 Main Street, Jamestown.

Phone: 303-442-5847

Very Nice Brewing Company

Thursday, December 30 at 6 p.m. - Jazz by Dan Williams

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/verynicebeer

Website: http://www.verynicebrewing.com/

Location: 20 E. Lakeview Drive, #112, Nederland.

Phone: 303-258-3770

Did we miss you?

Did we miss your music listing in the Peak to Peak area? Do you have updates to your business? Please call 303-810-5409 or email publisher1977@gmail.com to be included in the next edition.