Holdin' Things Together: The Dunbar Faris Story

 Over the past couple of years, I have been collecting thoughts and information on this individual. My intentions were to write a book about him. It is a project that I’ve wanted to do for quite some time. And to be honest, it’s long overdue. I reached out to the family a few times to schedule an interview so that I could get some information, but they were never available. So reading between the lines, they apparently were not interested.

So instead of a book, I'll do the best I can with what information I have here in this blog.

When it comes to music artists, Kentucky has given birth to as many or maybe more than any other state.  Renowned artists such as Ricky Skaggs, Dwight Yocum, Noah Thompson, Tyler Childers, Chris Stapleton, Loretta Lynn, Crystal Gayle, Bill Monroe, Billy Ray Cyrus, The Everly Brothers, Keith Whitley, Tom T. Hall, The Judds, Montgomery Gentry, Tyler Booth, Patty Lovelace, and many others are the products of Kentucky.

I’ve often said that there is more talent up in the hills and “hollers” of Kentucky than people realize, and sadly, most of it goes undiscovered.

Fleming County, Kentucky is a small county located in the Northeastern section of Kentucky.  The population in the latest U.S. Census was just over 15,000 people. The county seat is Flemingsburg.  The county was formed in 1798 from part of Mason County. The county was named for Col. John Fleming, an Indian fighter and early settler.

Fleming County is known as the Covered Bridge Capital of Kentucky, having more covered bridges than any county in the state.

The county has also produced such notable citizens as Jazz pianist Herman Chittizen, U.S. Navy Medal of Honor Recipient Edward Alvin Clary, Willis A. Gorman who was a Union Army General during the  Civil War and would later serve in the United States House of Representatives for Indiana and a territorial Governor for Minnesota.  Fleming County also produced other notable citizens such as Claiborne Fox Jackson, pro-Confederate Governor of Missouri during the early stages of the Civil War, Alvin Saunders, United States Senator for Nebraska, and Franklin Sousley, one of the Iwo Jima flag raisers.

But Fleming County was also the home of another notable figure- Colonel Dunbar D. Faris.

Now, you may be asking "just who was Dunbar Faris?"  Well, before we can tell you who he was, we must start the story from the beginning.

According to FamilySearch.org, Dunbar’s Great—Great Grandparents, William and Arenia Bravard Faris, came to Kentucky from Maryland.  The exact date of their arrival to Fleming County is unknown, but we know it was after 1791.

William and Arenia had two sons, John Faris, and Ephraim Faris.
 

Ephraim Faris, shown here, was Dunbar’s Great-Grandfather. He was born in Maryland in 1791. He came to Kentucky with his parents sometime in the late 1700’s or early 1800’s.  He married Kentucky native Rachel Elizabeth Kelley.  They settled in the Hillsboro community of Fleming County. Ephraim and Rachel had at least eight children, including James F. Faris.

James F. Faris, shown here, was Dunbar’s Grandfather. He was born in 1832 in Fleming County, Kentucky. He married Catharine Ann Knox, also of Fleming County. Together they had at least eight children, including James Monroe Faris.

James Monroe Faris (picture unavailable), a blacksmith, was born in Fleming County, Kentucky in 1860.  He married Sarah Alice Story, also of Fleming County. They had at least 8 children, including Dunbar D. Faris.

 Dunbar D. Faris was born in Fleming County, Kentucky on April 17, 1909, the son of James Monroe Faris and Sarah Alice Story.

Little is known about Dunbar's childhood, upbringing, or his family life. But that's okay.

So are you still wondering just who Dunbar Faris was? Dunbar Faris was a country and western entertainer and musician from Fleming County, Kentucky. He owned the Fox Valley Country Music Show & Barn Dance, a venue that showcased country music performances.

It was here that, at age 13, Debbie Wilson, another fairly successful music entertainer, began singing regularly on weekends, which helped launch her career in country music.

An enhanced newspaper ad for the Fox Valley Country Music Show featuring Col. Dunbar Faris

Growing up as a boy in Morehead, Kentucky, some of my childhood memories include our family going over to neighboring Fleming County to the Fox Valley Country Music Show and Barn Dance.  We didn’t go every weekend.  And, we didn’t go that often. But when we did go, I enjoyed it.

Fox Valley Country Music Show & Barn Dance barn as it looked a few years ago. It closed in the late 1980's.

In addition to his Barn Dance & Country Music Show, Dunbar became a fixture at regional events such as fairs and festivals.

 In 1957, Faris released the single "I Love You Till The End Of The World" backed with "You Have Forgotten Me."

His contributions to country music have been recognized in compilations such as "Country Music on the Excellent Label - Volume 2," which features tracks like "I Love You Till The End Of The World" and "You Have Forgotten Me."

He is also widely known for his cover of Merle Haggard's  "Holdin' Things Together", which was my Mom's favorite by Dunbar.

For those interested in his musical style, several of his songs are available on YouTube, including "You Have Forgotten Me," "Decisions," "I Love You Till The End Of The World," and "My Record & A Friend."

Dunbar was tragically killed in an automobile accident in  June 1993.  

Clipped from the Lexington Herald-Leader, June 22, 1993

While not widely known on the national stage, Dunbar Faris made significant contributions to the country music scene in Kentucky, both as a performer and as a promoter of local talent.