James (J.P.) McKelvey is an author, photographer, and independent researcher whose work explores the intersection of history, folklore, archaeology, and the natural landscape of the American South. Based in Hillsborough, North Carolina, McKelvey spent more than four decades as a journalist and photojournalist, contributing to publications including Variety, the Detroit Free Press, The Raleigh News & Observer, Rolling Stone, No Depression, CMT, and The Face.
His photography has documented hundreds of musicians and cultural events throughout the Southeast. More than 4,500 of his photographs are preserved in the Southern Folklife Collection at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Wilson Library, with a portion of the archive available online as the James McKelvey Collection.
McKelvey is the author of Faces of Pilot Mountain: Intriguing Journey into the Deep Mysteries, the culmination of more than a decade of research into the history, geology, Native American traditions, folklore, and enduring mysteries surrounding North Carolina’s iconic Pilot Mountain. Combining historical records, photography, field observations, and local oral histories, the book invites readers to view one of the state’s most recognizable landmarks through a new lens while encouraging exploration and discussion of its rich cultural heritage.
Driven by a lifelong passion for uncovering overlooked stories, McKelvey continues to research the history and legends of Pilot Mountain while sharing his work through lectures, interviews, photography, and writing.