 |
||
 |
||
 |
• HOME • GENERAL STORE • NATURAL HERITAGE • HISTORY, CULTURE & CRAFTSMANSHIP |
||||
|
History, Culture & Craftsmanship
• Fiddles in the Ozarks |
|||||
| FIDDLE INDEX • Harrison Fiddle Fest MUSIC INDEX • Ozarks Music • Music Memories PEOPLE • George D. Hay • Norma Jean • Harold Morrison SHOWS • Ozark Opry • Ozark Jubilee • The Plummers REVIEWS • Big Smith • Blue Moon Rising INSTRUMENTS • Fiddle • Dulcimer SONGS • In The Pines • Through The Night Culture Index • Agriculture • Book Learning • Cooking • Craftsmanship • Faith in the Hills • History • Music • People of the Hills • Storytelling • Tourism |
|||
— from Mary Mayfield of Red Bridge Bluegrass
The 28th Annual Arkansas Fiddlers Convention was held March 24-27 at the North Arkansas College in Harrison, Arkansas.
While students were away enjoying their spring break, a different kind of study was taking place within these classrooms. Old time fiddlers and listeners congregated from 22 states (including Alaska) to share and learn old-time fiddle tunes. An estimated 25 RVs could be seen lining the college parking lot, each serving as temporary homes for music lovers.
Meeting up with old friends (and making new ones) is one of the many reasons attendance continues to increase year after year.
Walking down the long corridor of classrooms, different variations of music could be heard coming from every room. Although the focus is on fiddle music, many bluegrass and country pickers were also present.
Like kids in a candy store, musicians wandered the halls instruments-in-hand, searching for their style of music or a familiar face. Once all classrooms were occupied, groups could be found huddled in other nooks, crannies or breezeways.
Carl Wills, president (and event promoter for the past 21 years) estimated that 35 to 40 jams were taking place at any given time. Farther down the hall, the College’s Little Theatre was packed to its seating capacity of 260.
You could say that Wills has this event down to a science. On the big marker board outside the theatre, he has written the day’s time slots to be filled with fiddle entertainment from organized groups to musicians who simply banded together for a one-time performance.
Before presiding over the Harrison Fiddle Festival, Wills was in the world of business (his resumé includes CEO for Singer, the well-known sewing machine company).
He continues to apply many of those skills to the success of this event. According to Wills, “Over the past three years, we have become more focused on involving youth in this program as they will be the ones to keep this traditional music alive.” During the event, kids from all over met in one large classroom to practice for a single performance.
To the delight of a standing-room-only audience, at least 25 youngsters took the stage on Saturday to perform as the “All Kids Band.”
Another reason for the continued success of this unique annual event, Carl noted, is that he works very closely with campus security and maintenance to assure that nothing is damaged at the college during spring break weekend.
As a matter of fact, one of the members of maintenance was found in our circle jam with a banjo on his knee. He was having a great time, all the while keeping an eye on the activities.
Thanks to the event committee, North Arkansas College, and support from many local sponsors, this event is free to the public though donations greatly appreciated.
Be sure and mark your calendars for the 29th Arkansas Fiddlers Convention, to be held next year during the North Arkansas College 2012 spring break. It’s guaranteed to be a fun time! Information and dates will be posted here, on StateoftheOzarks!
By Mary Mayfield
______________
Mary Mayfield, of the Red Bridge Bluegrass, plays guitar,bass and sings lead. This up-and-coming band is based in Ozark, Missouri.
Photo credits, Red Bridge Bluegrass, 2011
PLATE 2. Scheduled performances for the Little Theatre (keeping with traditions, girls must go first).
PLATE 3. Violet Brumley Hensley, fiddler, was spotted jigging in front of the Little Theatre. More about this historical treasure can be found under History, Culture, & Craftsmanship and People of the Hills Index.
PLATE 4. Carla Bates Nichols, during one of the many jams she took part in over a three-day period (and a span of 30 hours).
PLATE 5. “Making Happy Memories” is the motto on the back of this AFC T-shirt from 2008. Return visits are one of the signs of this successful event, now approaching 40 years. Many have already marked their calendars for the 2012 North Arkansas College Spring Break.
PLATE 6. One of the big draws of this fiddle festival is getting together with friends to form jam sessions. Larry Mayfield and Miles Yocum are seen here in one of the many classrooms of jammers and listeners.