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.
Luegra 