Murray and I have had an ongoing discussion over more than a decade relating to the placement of JP and Tony McManus as the best of the best. Now both are absolutely fantastic and I respect Murray as much more an expert than myself, and am delighted that he has posted this!
JP is no flash in the pan! He has performed as a studio musician in Nashville in past years with people like Chet Atkins. ( He rates Atkins as his mentor and the best ever)
In Cape Breton the fiddle is king and JP is a fantastic fiddler as well! In recent years the guitar has been used for playing old fiddle and pipe tunes starting with people like AD MacIntosh and John Allen Cameron. JP along with Dave MacIsaac, Ciffie Carter, Scott MacMillan and Brian Doyle have brought this to a higher level! During Cape Breton's Celtic Colours Festival you may find these legends playing together on stage at the Guitar Summit in Judique.
Bill D's wonder about why he never appeared at The National Flatpicking Championship has an explaination:
In Cape Breton you will find few music competitions. It is as musical a place as any on earth, but who is better than who remains a subjective call. The enjoyment of the performance requires no panel of judges, who may often be of lesser ability than the performer! The ears and the tapping of the feet become a judge on a much higher plane!
Slainte,
          Sandy