04.21.2008
Fiddlin’ for the 84th year in Union Grove
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In 1924, H. P. Van Hoy, a school teacher and a fiddler, thought of a good way to raise money for Union Grove School; he would hold a fiddler’s convention.
The convention became a tradition, carried on in recent years by Harper A. Van Hoy, H. P. Van Hoy’s son. On May 23-25, the third generation of Van Hoy descendants will open the gate for the 84th iteration of that acclaimed musical institution: a weekend of competitions, performances by invited musicians, workshops, jamming, and the renewal of years-long friendships. This is the oldest fiddler’s contest in North America, acclaimed a Local Legacy by the Library of Congress, an icon of the genre, and not to be missed. Details are available at http://www.fiddlersgrove.com .
Friday night at 6 p.m. the weekend kicks off with a set by the 2007 Fiddler of the Festival, Adam Masters of Asheville. Throughout the night the audience will hear from Robin Warren and Spirit Fiddle, The Cockman Family, Taylor Dunn, Mel Jones and Hal Beaver, Sally Spring and Laura Boosinger; and enjoy spirited performances by the Green Grass Cloggers and the Cane Creek Cloggers.
Saturday offers a full day of competition for old time and bluegrass bands, and for musicians in individual categories.
Workshops in numerous instruments, storytelling, clogging, and shaped note singing round out the day. Also, a songwriting workshop will be offered this year by Taylor Dunn, noted Nashville writer and a “son” of this Festival. Reflecting Fiddler’s Grove’s emphasis on fiddling, one of the competitions is for Certified Old Time Fiddlers, who must be over 55 and have had no formal instruction. Saturday evening revolves around band playoffs, a Twin Fiddle competition, and the Fiddler of the Festival playoff. Special entertainers for the evening include performers with strong ties to this festival: The Kruger Brothers, Laura Boosinger, The Cockman Family, The Trantham Family, and Master Fiddlers Robin Warren and Josh Goforth.
In a long standing tradition, Sunday morning begins with shaped note singing on the Main Stage, followed by the gospel music of The Cockman Family and others. A lazy day of listening to good music under the trees “in the Grove” offers a perfect ending for the weekend.
Fiddler’s Grove Campground, the bucolic setting for this annual gathering of music lovers, is nicely suited for the execution and enjoyment of these great American musical traditions. The stated purpose of this festival – to preserve, promote, and perpetuate traditional American music – is carried out in a fashion that invites every ticket holder to be a part of the grand continuum. Novice or expert, listener or competitor, youngster or otherwise: everyone can find a niche at Fiddler’s Grove.
For more information and tickets, contact the festival administrator at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 828-478-3735. The Web site is http://www.fiddlersgrove.com.