Philip Sparn | ClarksvilleNow.com
psparn@ClarksvilleNow.com
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. — More than 150 talented acoustic musicians celebrated the spirit of “old-time music” at the 40th annual State of Tennessee Old-Time Fiddlers’ Championships this weekend at Rossview High School.
Performers played banjos, guitars, mandolins, fiddles, dobros and other acoustic instruments to get the crowds’ feet tapping and to preserve the tradition of “old-time music,” all while trying to win the judges’ support.
Garry Adams from Pleasant View, Tenn. pointed out that the contest helps preserve the traditions of bluegrass and old-time music all while giving the audience some good music to listen to.
The performers enjoyed entertaining the crowd but they also enjoyed performing against and playing with their fellow competitors.
“Most of us know each other and we are like a family, even though we are competing against each other,” said Rob Pearcy from Smyrna, Tenn. “It’s like a big family reunion.”
Pearcy has been playing old-time fiddle tunes and bluegrass for almost 50 years and has been playing a variety of instruments in the Old-Time Fiddlers’ Championships since the early 1980s.
“I really enjoy performing at the fiddler’s championship every year but I also enjoy listening to all the other people play,” said Pearcy. “It is really nice hearing all the musicians playing different tunes and with a lot of different sounds.”
Musicians from all over the country performed a wide variety of instruments in the competition to claim titles and cash pizes in roughly 50 categories.
Trustin Baker drove roughly five hours from Birch Tree, Mo. to play the banjo, guitar, mandolin and the fiddle in the completion.
“It’s an awesome contest,” said Baker. “There is a lot of different people playing in the hall and a lot of different jams going on too … There is great music being played everywhere.”
Frannie Digiovanni from Coopertown, Tenn. performs at competitions across the country and said she has played the dobro and the guitar at the Old-Time Fiddlers’ Championships for the last eight years.
“This competition is great,” said Digiovanni. “The music is great and we all love playing together.”
A total of $7,625 in cash-prizes was awarded to all the winning contestants.
The proceeds from the event went to Hilldale Civitan who contributes the money to a variety of non-profit charities in the Clarksville area.
Photos by Philip Sparn | ClarksvilleNow.com