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Mickey Davis - DeKalb Co 2008 Grand Champion Fiddler
"Let the sound of the fiddle and the bow soothe the savage beast” reads an early advertisement for the DeKalb County Fiddlers’ Convention, now, this year on August 1, 2009, the tradition continues with the 101st Anniversary Celebration of the DeKalb County Fiddlers Convention.From the first one back in 1808 till today, the convention has help preserve one of the most Americana forms of music, fiddling.
Just what is a Fiddle? Wikipedia states: "Fiddle has a more generalized meaning than violin. Whereas violin refers to a specific instrument, fiddle may be used to refer to a violin or any member of a general category of similar stringed instruments played with a horsehair bow, such as the Hardanger fiddle, the Byzantine lira, the Chinese erhu, the Welsh crwth, the Apache Tzii'edo' a 'tl, the cello in the context of a Scottish violin/cello duo ("wee fiddle and big fiddle"), the double bass ("bull fiddle" or "bass fiddle"), and so on." Yes a violin is a fiddle, but the musical styling of fiddle playing versus violin is much different. Fiddlers push their instrument to the extremes, with a passion not many other musicians have. there is blues fiddling, bluegrass fiddling, Zydeco Fiddling, French Fiddling, Worldbeat fiddling, and the list goes on. The music is as diversified as it gets, and guaranteed to delight everyone, no matter what the age.
This year the proceeds from this historic event goes to benefit the Arts in Education. “I’ve been privileged to work in our (Fort Payne) city schools the past two years as an artist in residence” said Big Wills Arts Council Director, Russell Gulley, “and to be able to bring master fiddlers James and Rachel Bryan and other musicians into our classrooms has helped introduce our students to our musical heritage first hand. This past year through the introduction of a guitar class at Fort Payne Middle School, many students have begun to participate in that musical tradition. Therefore, it’s only fitting that any proceeds from our annual fiddlers’ convention be used to benefit and raise awareness of the arts in education program. I invite all of these students to attend the contests and help “Celebrate the Heritage” of music in DeKalb County.”
The event is to be held at the Fort Payne Middle School, (4910 Martin Ave NE, Ft Payne, AL) with musicians competing for over $5000 in prize money. Registration to begin the day of the event, Saturday August 1st at 11am with the contests starting at 12 noon. The crowd pleasing category from last years event, "Old Time String Bands" will also be featured again this year.
Admission is only $5.00 for spectators and contestants. Admission includes entry into one individual contest category, while additional categories are $5.00 each per individual contestant. Band category entry fees will be announced at a later date.
“The fiddlers’ convention is a tradition that I’m proud that the arts council continues to produce”, said Eric McKinney, the council president and project director of the convention. “It’s difficult to continue presenting the event in light of our current national economic situation, but as many traditions fall by the wayside, it’s even more important to hold on to our heritage. Our convention continues to grow with contestants of all ages in all categories, ranging from pee wee to senior fiddler, to dobro and guitar, on to a full “bluegrass” band and “old time” band competition. It’s also for such a good cause, our Arts in Education Program”.
So mark your calendar for this event, filled with music that is as American as apple pie, and help support the Arts in Education as well.
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