Yesterday I did my annual attendance at the Michigan Old-Time Fiddlers Contest at the Huron Township Applefest in New Boston, Michigan. I prayed that it would not be as poor of a contestant turnout as last year, when only one contestant showed up (https://luegra.design.blog/2025/10/11/applefest-2025-first-guitar-lessons/).
Fortunately, there were three contestants. First place went to last year’s winner Dave Langdon. However, the best moments of this year came from the second- and third-place contestants. Two of the most adorable kids went up and played short pieces of a waltz, schottische, jig and reel. While they both were not as skilled, and the pieces they chose were more basic and not more centered toward Michigan old-time fiddling, they were both absolutely precious to watch.
Neither of them seemed too nervous to perform (probably because they are too young to experience stage fright), and there were some rough spots in their playing, but they both truly impressed me and those in attendance. Sunny and Life Collins are sister and brother, and their parents have a lot to be proud of.
After the awards, I made sure to talk to the parents about the Southeast Michigan Bluegrass Music Association and the upcoming Kids Academy that SEMBMA will be sponsoring at the Charlotte Bluegrass Festival in June 2027. While both kids are still too young to secure a scholarship from SEMBMA (both were definitely under 10 years old), attending the Academy would be beneficial for their music education, as well as getting the Academy more notoriety.
I have talked about it many times before in previous blogs, but I will say it again – nothing makes me happier than seeing young bluegrass players. Seeing these two kids this weekend just made me smile so much. The fact that they actually played well for their age was what made it so special. They have so much potential in their fiddling, and by the time they reach their early teens (if they keep up the interest as well), they will be in spotlights at jams and sit-ins with bands.
Chew on it and comment.
