Born near Charleston, Kessinger first gained fame in the late 1920s, recording more than 60 songs with his nephew, guitarist Luches Kessinger, as the Kessinger Brothers. Their most popular tune was “Wednesday Night Waltz.”

After decades of performing locally, Kessinger was rediscovered during the folk revival of the 1960s. He recorded new albums, won fiddling contests, and played at major events like the Grand Ole Opry and Newport Folk Festival. Known for his skill and lively style, he was inducted into the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame in 2007.