Can't Fiddle, but Ticklin' the Ivories

This will be my final blog about this year's

Fiddlers' Convention.  I wanted to share a 

few sights from that fun evening.  Here I

am with friends and supporters Jeanette

and Cy.  I met them at the hospital, where

we are all volunteers.  I later learned that

my other volunteer buddies Jim and Lyn

were present (up near the rafters) along

with their lovely ladies.  I had many other

friends who were there, including quite

a crowd from church.

It was worth waiting around past midnight

for the winners to be announced.  As you'll

note on my gold wristband, I was entrant

# 13.  But I've never been superstitious.

The following pictures are just a sampling

of the types of groups that performed.  Note

that each of these three features at least one

young performer.  One of the hallmarks of

this event is the encouragement of young

musicians and dancers.  And if you could 

hear the way they sing, pick, and clog,

you'd appreciate how this family friendly

venue is passing along valuable traditions

in our community and around the state.

North Moore's stadium seating is ideal for

everyone to have a good seat.  This picture

shows you there were almost no empty seats.

And this is only part of the lower section 

of the auditorium.

I took a brief side trip to the practice room,

where groups tuned up and loosened up

their vocal cords.  I don't normally go there,

since there's no piano anyway.

I performed just a little after 8:00 and 

returned to my seat to photograph the

cloggers of all ages, a perennial favorite.

Only acoustic instruments are allowed.

Most common are fiddle, string bass,

guitar, banjo, dobro.  There was one

harmonica player.  I keep waiting to 

see an autoharp player (like Mother

Maybelle Carter) or a hammer dulcimer.

I'm very thankful they include the piano,

which many fiddlers' conventions don't.

This video shows a good bunch of 

pickers, plus the top two prize-winning

cloggers (stage right) who can't resist

stepping to this tune.

This high-energy group does some fast
picking and has good harmony.

This final video is the best fiddle player

I heard at this year's convention.  He

really won the audience's admiration with

this version of "Orange Blossom Special"

which was part Charlie Daniels, part

Vasser Clements.

If you haven't been to the Highfalls Fiddlers'
Convention, you might want to put it on your
calendar for next year.  It's always the second
Saturday of March.  And you might need to
get there early to get a good seat-- the crowd
seems to be growing every year.