77th Annual Highfalls Old-Time Fiddlers' Convention

 This coming Saturday, March 10,

the Highfalls Fiddlers' Convention

will be held at North Moore High School.

It's great family fun and a tradition for

77 years and counting.  

As you can see from this year's

flyer (click it to enlarge), there is

a wide variety of categories.  I would

say there's something for everybody,

but that might be an overstatement.

I have participated every year since I

retired in 2008, and have enjoyed seeing

the wide range of talented performers.

There is a mix of bands and individuals,

plus cloggers.  The whole shebang is

for young and old.

Below is the piano I learned on,

starting in 1959.  It was a clunker, but

it served its purpose well.  Especially

since its quality lent itself to a honky tonk

style, which my brother and I both toyed with.

My first two years in the competition I  played

country/bluegrass/honky tonk medleys, including

songs like the "12th Street Rag," "Down Yonder,"

"The Wabash Cannonball," and "The Battle of New

Orleans."  Last year I did a Bluegrass Gospel medley

with "Mansion Over the Hilltop," "Will the Circle Be

Unbroken," "I Saw the Light," and others.

Records like this one were an inspiration

to me as I've built up a large repertoire

of these types of songs over the last

half century (plus).  I've been heavily 

influenced by the styles of Frankie Carle,

Eubie Blake, Eddie Duchin, and Floyd Cramer.

But this year I'm venturing into new territory.

I'll be playing a medley of less raucous songs

that are more popular with my listeners at the

hospital, rest homes, and occasional dinners.

Some that you'll recognize are "You Made Me

Love You," "Deep Purple," and "It Had to Be 

You." Still, I think I know my audience well 

enough to expect they'll enjoy what I've picked. 

 I may record the medley and post it later-- if

my computer cooperates.  But I'd be delighted

if any of you make your way to the far northern

reaches of Moore County Saturday evening to 

be entertained by me and many other music lovers.

Here are some simple directions if you know 

where Carthage, North Carolina is:

Leave Carthage going west on Hwy. 24-27 and 22.

A few miles west turn right when 22 separates,

going north toward Highfalls.  Proceed several

miles, then turn left on North Moore Road. (If

you come to the town of Highfalls you've missed

the turn.)  North Moore High School is another

several miles, but there are no more turns.