Category: Old-Time Fiddle

Categories
Music Instruction Old-Time Fiddle

Applefest 2025 / First Guitar Lessons

Last week I went to the 2025 Michigan Old-Time Fiddler Contest, held annually at the Huron Township Applefest in New Boston. I’ve gone to this contest for years and have blogged about it many times. Last year, only two contestants showed up to compete, and I thought that it could not be worse than that. Well, this year proved me wrong.

Yes, only one person showed up to compete. Dave Langdon, who has participated in the event many times and is well-known in the state’s old-time fiddle base, was the only competitor. He received the $200 first-prize award after going through the expected contest performance of playing a waltz, schottische, jig and reel. If I would have known, I would have brought my fiddle (which I haven’t picked up in months), hacked my way through four tunes, and still made second place and gotten $100 pocket money.

Speaking with Jim McKinney of the Michigan Fiddler Association, he stated that each year it gets more difficult to have competitors, as this time of the year finds fiddlers doing fall dances and other activities. It also seems hard to find younger people interested in the old-time fiddle tunes. From my experience, this is completely true, as I talk to young fiddlers and parents that won’t commit to heading down to this festival for a few hours.

To save the day, host Tom McKinney and contest judge Trae McMaken joined Dave on stage for a jam session to use up the time allotted for the competition.

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I have a co-worker that is interested in learning guitar, and I told her that I would let her try out some of the acoustic guitars that I have for sale to see if she would like to purchase one. Out of curiosity, I went on YouTube to see what videos were available on the search “Beginner Guitar Lessons.” Of course, a number of videos popped up, but as I went through watching them, I noticed that pretty much all of them have no concept of making the easiest way possible to learn basic chords.

Anyone who has started out on guitar knows that there are a few relatively easy chords, such as G and C, that will get the student learning simple folk songs. About half of the “beginner” videos I watched showed the first two chords to try as Em and Asus2. Yes, these are easy to finger on the fretboard, but there are very few songs that a beginner can regularly practice with them.

Go going back to the G and C chords, one of the reasons that these are popular is that playing these two chords can open up a world of simple folk and popular songs to play. I found some videos implementing the G chord as the first chord a beginner should learn, but another problem I saw is that these instructors are making the student finger across the entire fingerboard and strumming all six strings. I remember from my experience over 40 years ago at first learning guitar chords that it takes a long time to perfect even the open G chord, as placing the pads of the fingers correctly without muffling strings is a difficult task for a beginner to acquire.

Next weekend I will be in Lansing to help out at a musical instrument “petting zoo” that the Southeast Michigan Bluegrass Music Association sponsors throughout the year. When I show young kids how to play a guitar and get a good sound from it the first time, I take the instructional route that I learned from a book that I had years ago – that you do not need to pluck all six strings of the guitar to get a good chord sound. With that, you don’t need to reach across the fingerboard to with your whole hand and start off uncomfortably to try and get a good sound. These are young kids often looking for instant satisfaction, so making them contort their hands will only dull their interest.

Instead, I show them that since the guitar’s 2nd, 3rd and 4th strings are tuned to a G chord, they can strum just those three strings to play a chord, and if they want to change the chord, they can just drape a finger across another fret, holding down those three strings, and strum just those three stings again. I also show them to finger the 1st (high E) string at the 3rd fret with the ring finger and strum the four strings to make an even bigger sounding G chord. If they are motivated by that, then we can work on just those four strings to finger a C chord with two fingers. If they become comfortable and motivated enough, I can show them a simple folk song such as “Tom Dooley” to let them know that it is possible to play a complete song in a matter of minutes.

If they are still interested and motivated, that is when I talk to the parents with recommendations of instructional books or teachers, and that once these basic shapes of chords is perfected, the student can expand on implementing the 5th and 6th strings. The idea is to get the student motivated to move on for the next task, NOT to make the first task hard enough to not want to move forward.

I won’t even bother showing any of the videos that I saw on YT for beginner guitar lessons, as watching them just irritated me. I plan to stick to my method when showing youngsters the guitar. I know that not every kid who I show these simple chords on a guitar will stick with it, but in my experience, it did brighten some young eyes when they strummed that chord and it didn’t sound bad.

Chew on it and comment.

Categories
Bluegrass Fiddle Old-Time Fiddle

Two Great Young Fiddlers

Occasionally, the YouTube algorithm pays off. In recent days, I have come across two young fiddlers that impressed me with their talent. It makes my heart swell that there are some young people out there that are really taking an interest in music, particularly roots music like old-time fiddling. It brings up my spirits after the disappointing turnout at the Fiddle Contest I was at a few weeks ago (https://luegra.design.blog/2024/10/12/2024-michigan-old-time-fiddlers-contest-sad-turnout/).

The first is Fiddlin’ Hayley King. I only found her a few days ago, so I haven’t seen a lot of her videos, and I notice that her YT page does not have a lot of them. However, I was impressed with her original tune, “Little White Pumpkin,” which she performs on both fiddle and clawhammer banjo. From the looks of it, she also plays mandolin and guitar, and has a sweet voice. There’s not much information about her on the internet besides the YT page and a Facebook page, but a 2019 article on her states that she secured a full ride scholarship from Morehead (Kentucky) State University at age 16 (https://www.blythewoodonline.com/2019/01/king-fiddles-her-way-to-college/). She is definitely someone who will snag some interest in the bluegrass and old-time fiddle crowd shortly. I do see her being picked up be a bluegrass band real soon.

Next is Hollace Oakes. At 14 years old, she is impressing everyone that comes across her. Another multi-instrumentalist (fiddle, mandolin, piano, guitar) as well as flatfoot/clogging expert, she has competed for the last few years at the famous Galax Old-Time Fiddle Convention for the past few years, winning the blue ribbon in 2023. This past August, she performed the National Anthem on fiddle at the Convention. She is often seen performing with clawhammer banjoist Margo McSweeny, and has won praises and jammed with Carley Arrowood. I have a feeling that within five years, this young lady will be appearing on a lot of bluegrass stages, probably even the Grand Ole Opry stage.

It does my heart good. Chew on it and comment.

Categories
Old-Time Fiddle

2024 Michigan Old-Time Fiddlers Contest: Sad Turnout

Last weekend I attended the 36th Annual Michigan Old-Time Fiddlers Contest, held each year in New Boston during the Huron Township Applefest. I have always accepted the fact that this is not a big event drawing dozens, if not hundreds, of fiddlers to compete like the Galax, Virginia or Weiser, Idaho contests. However, this year was extremely disappointing, and the musicians that consider themselves old-time fiddlers are a lot to blame.

This year, only two competitors showed up. That is correct, only two fiddlers. In the previous years that I have attended, there were at least four competitors vying for the top prize, which is $200.00 plus a trophy and some material awards such as CDs and songbooks. Second place is $100.00 plus a trophy and prizes, and third place is $50.00 plus trophy and prizes. There are usually non-monetary prizes for fourth and fifth places as well. Heck, if I would have known, I would have brought me fiddle with me and hacked through “Flop Eared Mule” just to get the $50.00 cash!

The two competitors that did show up are regular fiddlers on the state’s old-time fiddle circuit. Two-time winner Trae McMaken, who I have discussed in a previous blog (https://luegra.design.blog/2022/05/14/trae-mcmakens-michigan-fiddle-website/), and old-time fiddle instructor Dave Langdon. I recently posted a video of Dave doing instruction at the Michigan Fiddler’s Association conference earlier this year in Hastings. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aziU3k6zXQa).

As expected from those familiar, Trae won again this year, and Dave came in second. That was it, the contest lasted about 30 minutes total, including trophy presentation. Audience attendance was sparse, as the preceding act was the local middle school’s band and choir performing the same songs they have done every year, and parents taking pictures, then abruptly leaving when it was over. A few that were there seemed to enjoy a change of pace as far as entertainment was concerned, but of course, there was the screaming kid and parents that refuse to control the kid.

There were a few fiddlers that usually show up every year that didn’t show this year, which surprised me, the MC Tom McKinney, and the two competitors. I know that it was disheartening for a few of us who wanted to see those old faces, as well as hope for one or two newbies. Two years ago, a young girl named Belinda impressed me with her beginner skills that I sought her out in order to get her parents to apply for a Southeast Michigan Bluegrass Music Association scholarship.

With Trae winning a third time, he is considered by rules to be a Master Michigan Old-Time Fiddler, and is no longer eligible to participate in future competitions. So what does that mean? If this year is any indication, there will be only one person showing up to compete next year, if the contest is even held at all.

So what seems to be the problem? There are a lot of little issues that build up to create this dilemma. First, there is very little advertisement for the contest. The Applefest itself has some local advertising, but they are going to promote the festival first, and the fiddle contest, which the festival planners are basically giving a time slot to the fiddle contest and considering it part of the entertainment along with the middle school presentation and a few tribute bands. The organizers of the contest need to get the word out to more music stores, schools and folk music venues to gain interest from both fiddlers and fans. A few years back, I suggested to chief organizer Jim McKinney (Tom’s father and also a fine fiddler) to do a showcase at Elderly Instruments in Lansing a month prior. That peaked some interest in the contest, and I believe there was about 10 competitors that year. When I attend the annual Old-Time Fiddlers Convention in Hastings, there is not talk about the contest, let alone any flyers promoting it. How about putting some flyers up at non-musical locations, like supermarket bulleting boards, area historical museums, and sending announcements to local college and highschool radio stations?

I have done the word-of-mouth to many fiddlers in the area, but there is a general lack of interest due to a number of reasons. One fiddler stated that she would participate if the contest was on a different weekend, as she was doing some instruction at a local music camp. I doubt that the contests organizers would move the contest to another location or weekend as they have held it at the Applefest for at least two decades.

Unlike other fiddle contests, the Michigan Old-Time Fiddlers Contest has strict rules for the participants. The main concern is that the fiddlers perform about 90 seconds each of a waltz, a schottische, a reel and a jig, staying as close to the original structure of the song as possible in order to provide music that one could do cotilion style dancing. There is to be no flashy playing, and songs such as “Orange Blossom Special” or “Lee Highway Blues” are not allowed. This means many country fiddlers would not consider entering the contest, but one would think that some fiddlers would appreciate the challenge of performing such tunes.

Even though I consider myself a bluegrass fan first, I love listening to all forms of roots-based music, including old-time fiddle tunes, as I consider this a precursor to bluegrass. I would think that some bluegrass fans would take the time to check this event out and support these fiddlers.

I have been told by a few that it is a bad weekend to hold the contest, as there are so many things going on in early October, especially on the weekends. Kids have football games, there are other fall festivals going on that may be closer, and the autumn chores of raking leaves and winterizing the homes. In all honesty, there is never a good weekend to schedule some event that doesn’t conflict with other events, no matter what the season. Again, this comes back to promotion, letting people know far in advance that the contest is always at the Applefest held on the first weekend of October, almost always on the Saturday. Because I look forward to the contest, as there is not much other musical events going on at the time, I mark my calendar months in advance. I would hope that other interested parties would do the same.

The contest has always had a decent amount of sponsors to support the contest, providing cash prizes, trophies, and consolation items. If this contest keeps losing interest form the fan base as well as the fiddlers, these sponsors may discontinue providing their services, which in turn would mean the contest may be dissolved completely. In short, the organizers need to step up a bit more tho at least guarantee that there are more than two contestants as well as letting people know that this music is a part of Michigan history.

Chew on it and comment.

Categories
Musical Instruments Old-Time Fiddle

Longest Yard Sale/Old-Time Fiddler Covention 2024

Apologies for being a day late, but this weekend was the one that I visit both the US 12 Longest Yard Sale and the Michigan Fiddlers Association Old-Time Fiddlers Convention.

Friday was the day for the year sale. While they advertise it going from Detroit to the western border at New Buffalo, things don’t start to really show up until after Saline if you travel west on the road. Nothing for knick-knacks this year for me, but I did pick up a few music bargains.

  • MXL 770 large-diaphragm condenser microphone. I really have no need for one of these, as I just sold off a similar one last year and have an older MXL model that I still keep. However, it was a good price, and it was never used, with a shock mount still wrapped up in plastic. I am sure that I can re-sell it and make a few dollars.
  • Kustom KLA 10 guitar practice amplifier. Again, I have a few small practice amps already, but I picked it up for next to nothing. These are pretty good, reliable little amps, as Kustom has been putting them out for years. I will probably do a review on this next week.
  • Jasmine by Takamine S-35 acoustic guitar. I did an overview of my experiences with Jasmine guitars in a previous blog (https://luegra.design.blog/2023/09/30/jasmine-guitars-the-good-as-well-as-the-bad-and-ugly/). This particular guitar was made while Jasmine was still a part of the Takamine company. These are high-quality beginner guitars that can hold up to models costing a lot more (these go for about $100.00 used), and it came with a high-end Road Runner case/gig-bag. I paid $60.00 for the package, which is nearly what the gig bag cost new. The guitar was hardly touched. The seller told me that he purchased it for his daughter in high school and she lost interest rather quickly. When I got home, as I was cleaning out the gig bag, I found some lyrics that the girl must have written while she was still interested in playing and performing. Very cliché lyrics about breaking up with a boyfriend, but I had to smile that she at least tried to write a song. I have another S-35, and I will look at selling at least one if not both in the near future.
  • 2002 Made in Mexico Fender Stratocaster. Despite being over 20 years old, it still had the cellophane on the pickguard and wammy bar cover. All I can figure that it sat for all of that time because the nut is cut too low on the B string, so the original owner never bothered to fix it. That’s a $20.00 job if I do it myself, probably $50.00 or so if I get a shop to do it. We shall see if I budget my time, and it’s not like I have to do it right away. I still got a decent deal on it, and while I don’t play electric guitar much, I know a deal when I see it.

There is not a lot of music equipment available along the strip of sales, mostly clothes, old toys, and possible collectible antiques. But I have been going every year since before COVID, and I will surely take the day off from work to go again next year.

Saturday I spent a few hours at the Old-Time Fiddle Convention in Hastings, Michigan. While this is not a big event, those that attend for the three days are extremely loyal fiddlers interested in old-time music and jamming with others. I probably could have more time there, but traffic accents and construction took a lot of my Saturday morning time. I caught the end of the Sing-Along workshop by Glen Warners, then watched the Michigan Fiddle Tunes workshop hosted by Dave Langdon. Dave is a great old-time fiddler, playing left handed. However, his instructional skills are less than satisfactory. While the class worked on two simple fiddle tunes, and most everyone there were competent with the tunes, Dave tends to just play a part of the tune and then have everyone join in. There is very little discussion on notes, and he doesn’t even give a count to start the song, he just jumps in and expects everyone to catch what he is doing. There were a few instances that students had to point out that he wasn’t following the sheet music verbatim, but said that he had his own style. Fortunately, everyone in attendance was very friendly and appreciative of the workshop.

I was able to make a simple video of the Langdon workshop with my older video camera (I’m still having problems with the video camera I purchased last year, and the instruction manual is all in Chinese, so I still have a lot to learn with it). I will post it on my YouTube page later this week.

I would love to see more people at the convention. Unfortunately, Hastings is not that easy to drive to, and people interested in old-time fiddle music are usually going to hit more popular events such as Galax in Virginia. The MFA doesn’t do much to advertise the event either, so attendance depends mostly through word-of-mouth from previous attendees. I have chatted this event up to many other bluegrass musicians and fiddlers, but just about everyone feigns interest. I do plan on going next year, as well as hitting the old-time fiddle contest in New Boston this October.

Chew on it and comment.

Categories
Gospel Music Old-Time Fiddle

2023 Michigan Old-Time Fiddle Contest/Sister Servants/Christian Youth Singers

Two weekends ago was the 2023 Michigan Old-Time Fiddlers Contest at the Applefest in New Boston. There were only four participants, and when I saw Trae McMaken (last year’s winner) seated near the stage, I knew that he would be this year’s winner as well. The guy is THAT good!

The contest was held later in the afternoon, which did see a bit more people in the audience than in previous years. There are also the problems with scheduling. First and foremost, the contest always goes on after the performance by the local middle school orchestra and choir. Every year, that performance always runs over because they go on late due to poor organization by the school music director. Thus, the contest began about 30 minutes late, and as expected, the blues/rock cover band scheduled to go on after the contest decided to start setting up some of its equipment during the contest.

It is sad that this old-time fiddle music is not as appreciated here in Michigan as it is in other parts of the country. I have preached about Michigan’s fiddle and music history many times, but it seems that very few people outside of the actual musicians care about it. I am glad to see that the Southeast Michigan Bluegrass Music Association has gotten some interest from young musicians recently for the scholarship awards. We have awarded one more student some scholarship money since I last wrote about it (https://luegra.design.blog/2023/08/06/sembma-scholarships-part-2/). I was hoping to see a new young fiddler at this year’s contest, but the four contestants were older fiddlers that have participated a number of times.

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We can always hope for next October! In the meantime, if any of you know of any young fiddlers (or banjo players, or mandolin players, or acoustic guitarists) playing bluegrass or old-time music, be sure to send them to the SEMBMA website and have them fill out a scholarship application (https://smbluegrass.org/scholarships/).

As many of you know, I am moving out of my house and moving back into my folks’ house as they both have passed away. I have sold the house and will be completely out by November 1st. So every day I have been grabbing a box or two and shipping it back to my new homestead. Yesterday, while in Hamatramck at a stop light, I noticed a group of young people (about eight) on the corner singing standard Gospel songs like “Rock of Ages” and “Amazing Grace.” They were from a Christian youth group connected with Living Waters (http://www.livingwaters.com/). It was extremely strange, as Hamtramck has become a highly populated Muslim community, and of course, tensions due to the Hamas attack on Israel recently has gotten a lot of people on edge. But there they were, being brave, singing old-time Gospel tunes and holding signs requesting looking toward Jesus.

It warmed my heart to see that. While I am a devout Roman Catholic, I have always loved the songs that early bluegrass Gospel brought forth. On my way back down the street, I saw that they were still singing, so I went to the local store, picked up some soft drinks, and gave it to them, letting them know how beautiful the singing was. They were friendly, and while they started to try to get me to be a part of their organization, I felt obliged to let them know of my faith in Catholicism and that my parish was a few blocks from where we were.

Seeing young people so motivated by their Christian beliefs, and what is more to be standing in an area that could prove to be hostile, was extremely moving, Then again, Jesus was not set on preaching to the believers, but to preach to those that were straying from the Lord and help them see the light.

I end this blog with a video that my friend Sister Clare Marie of the Sister Servants of the Eternal Word sent me. I mentioned this group in previous blogs (https://luegra.design.blog/2020/08/07/nuns-performing-bluegrass-and-diversity/ and https://luegra.design.blog/2021/12/04/715/). These wonderful ladies stay in my heart always.

Chew on it and comment.

Categories
Acoustic Guitars Music Stores Old-Time Fiddle

Yard Sales, Fiddle Conventions, Elderly Instruments

Last weekend I did my yearly trek to two of my favorite ventures – the Michigan Avenue World’s Longest Yard Sale and the Michigan Fiddlers Association Fiddlers’ Convention. Before this year, the Fiddlers’ Convention was held in Hillsdale, so I could take Michigan Avenue all the way from Saline to Hillsdale to see the fiddling as well as do some yard sale shopping. This year, the convention was moved to Hastings (west of Lansing), so I ended up taking Friday off of work and doing each activity on separate days. Rain was predicted both Friday and Saturday, so here’s how it went.

Friday: The morning started off sunny, but I was frustrated with being stuck in traffic for an hour due to construction on Michigan Ave. and US-23. Once moving, I was able to stop in a few places that set up tables in quaint towns such as Clinton, Allen, and Quincy. My first stop led me to an old garage full of antique/junk toys, games, and nick-nacks. While I passed on almost all of it, I did get something that brought back memories of a when I was a kid – salt and pepper shakers that look like vintage Squirt soda pop bottles. Totally going up on a shelf in the kitchen.

About the time that I reached Quincy (a few miles east of Coldwater), the skies were starting to turn dark, so I figured to head back toward home. I was primarily looking for music-related items, but almost everything that was in that category was priced way too high, even if I was able to barter down some. However, I was able to secure a used Applause AE-32 acoustic/electric guitar for a decent price.. For the unfamiliar, Applause guitars were put out by Kaman in the late 1970s to be a lower-end version of the popular Ovation acoustic guitar series. The main difference was a laminated top instead of a solid top. Other than that, most everything was the same. I was never a big fan of these guitars due to the rounded molded-plastic back/sides that made them difficult to play while balanced on the lap sitting, requiring a strap and standing up to hold. Bringing it home, I tested it out and it still had a good sound unplugged, also being clean and loud when plugged into an amp. While it seems like a good guitar, I plan on just cleaning it up and selling it off, hopefully making a few bucks in the process. Fortunately, I did beat the rain making it home.

And I did make a pit stop at Randy’s BBQ near the Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn. It is a trailer where they make some of the best pulled pork barbeque you have ever tasted. Every year I stop by and order a Godzilla sandwich, which consists of pulled pork, pulled chicken, brisket, mac & cheese, cole slaw, and pickles on a bun! I literally starved myself all day because I knew that I would be devouring one of these in the afternoon.

Saturday: This day went a lot worse in so many ways. First off, getting to Hastings is not an easy task. I used to go to a park near Hastings every June for a Civil War reenactment. I had forgotten how many two-lane roads with police cars shooting radar there were along the way. No, I didn’t get busted, but I kept my eye on the speedometer almost all of the way there and back.

As soon as I pulled up to the campground where the convention was, Mother Nature let out a storm that made you want to start building an ark! It kept going on and off for over an hour. I was able to catch most of the fiddle workshop and jam session under the pavilion. I had attempted to video some of the activities, but the video camera that I was using was brand new and my first time using it, so I was unfamiliar with the set-up. The result was absolute garbage! Live and learn. I have to say that the workshop leader, a left-handed fiddler named Dave Langdon, has a great demeanor with the students, being very patient and hands-on with learning each part of a song.

After some time at the convention, I decided to head to Lansing for a stop at Elderly Instruments. This place used to be a Mecca for me prior to the pandemic. I would either schedule time off from work or make a clean slate on Saturdays to make the trip and spend a few hours testing out guitars and thumbing through the room full of CDs, videos, and music books. When I walked into the store, I was extremely disappointed. A lot has changed at the place in three years. What was once a room full of books and CDs was now limited to two or three bins each. The videos were completely gone, most likely due to the lack of interest in hard-copy videos and the move to online instruction. It was all replaced with walls of ukeleles – not my favorite stringed instrument to be sure. They still had the Martin guitar room, but the violin room was converted to a left-handed instrument room. It just didn’t have the same appeal to me as a whole than it did a few years back. I should have sensed that it would be a disappointment when I checked out the website earlier this year and noticed that there was a lot less being offered. I guess that my trips to the store will be extremely rare, only if I should happen to be in the area and the store is open at that time. No going-out-of-the-way trips for me any more.

Because of that, I will be scouting around for other music stores to make the trips to in the future.

Chew on it and comment.

Categories
Old-Time Fiddle

The 2022 Michigan Old-Time Fiddle Contest

All right, I’m a day late again, but I have a good excuse. I spent my afternoon yesterday in New Boston, Michigan at the 2022 Applefest to watch the 35th Annual Michigan Old-time Fiddlers Contest.

Like most outdoor events, the Applefest and the Fiddler Contest were cancelled over the past two years due to the pandemic. It was good to see the contest up and running again, which is more than I can say for the festival itself. It is supposed to be a celebration of the apple, and there was only one tent selling apple pies. The rest consisted of the usual corndog vendors and the rest selling T-shirts, crafts and face painting.

Back to the Fiddler Contest. I wish that more people were interested in this activity. The contest had five entries, which has been about average for the past few years that I have attended. The crowd mainly consists of friends/relatives of the contestants. The contest follows the performance by the local junior high band, so those parents are still talking and taking photos of their kids while the contest is attempting to start. I did see a previous competitor and his wife in the audience, which is good to see, but again, I wish that there were more attending to appreciate what is going on.

Young Tom McKinney has been hosting the contest, taking over for his father Jim who had done it previously over the years. Jim had worked hard to make the contest a true traditional one, requiring contestants to perform a waltz, schottische, reel and jig in a dance-able form. This includes securing judges experienced with old-time fiddling. Years past had local rock band members judging, and winners were usually flashy fiddlers performing non-traditional tunes. The judges also are in a separate booth behind the stage so that they are not influenced by the appearance of the fiddler – just the sound of the fiddle.

Of the five competing, I pretty much figured out the winner even before the performances began. Regional traditional fiddler Trae McMaken (I covered him and his website in a previous blog, https://luegra.design.blog/2022/05/14/trae-mcmakens-michigan-fiddle-website/). When he showed up, I knew that the blue ribbon was his.

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Three of the other contestants were regular fiddlers at this and other events that I have attended. However, one fiddler that I was impressed with was a new face. A young girl (unfortunately, I didn’t catch her name) that went on last. You could tell that she was nervous, probably the first time that she performed in public. Yes, she made a few mistakes, but she still had enough spirit to go on, even after following someone like Trae. She came in 4th place – not bad for a first-timer, especially since all of the other fiddlers have competed many times.

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It would be wonderful to see more contestants in this event, especially the young fiddlers. This is truly an enjoyable event, something that more musicians in the area, be they bluegrassers, young violin students, or fans of traditional old-time music, should come out and watch. This traditional music of past Michigan can only be preserved if those who care will give their support. Let’s hope that next year’s contest has twice the crowd and twice the contestants!

Chew on it and comment.