Sam McCracken is designated as the father of the Tennessee Valley Old-Time Fiddlers Convention held in Athens each October, partly because of the music sessions that sprang from his kitchen, but also because he was a fine fiddler who was so well loved by his friends, family and fellow fiddlers.

Sam McCracken lived in the Elkmont area of Limestone County.  Prior to the first renewals of the Athens fiddling conventions, his home sessions became regular opportunities for the old fiddlers and younger musicians to gather and make old-time music. Much of the energy generated by these sessions set in motion the ideas and planning for the Tennessee Valley Old-Time Fiddlers Convention held each fall on the campus of Athens State University.

In addition to enjoying other fiddlers and their music, Mr. Sam, as he was affectionately called, had a prolific roster of tunes himself, many of which are unique to the area. He credited other fiddlers with borrowed pieces, fortifying the importance of community and sharing amongst the old fiddlers.