Fiddle Jam gets performers ready for competition
Fiddle Jam gets performers ready for competition
By: Lindsey Carlson, Contributing Writer
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Posted by editor Tue Nov 30, 1999 00:00:00 PST
Viewed 331 times
0 responses 0 comments The California Old Time Fiddle Association hosted a “jam” for fiddlers and guitar players on Aug. 11 at the Tehachapi Veterans Hall.
Fiddlers all over California are polishing their tunes for Tehachapi’s 31st Annual Fiddlin’ Down the Tracks Contest to be held at the West Park Activity Center, September 14, 15 and 16. This year’s contest is a tribute to Howdy Forrester (1922- 1987), the Fiddler of the Opry, one of the greatest string players in the world of old time music.
The first annual Howdy Forrester Memorial Scholarship will be awarded during the fiddle contest. A check for $400 will go to a deserving high school junior or senior for his or her winning essay about how he or she "embodies the spirit of Howdy Forrester." The deadline for this essay contest is August 10. For more information about this exciting opportunity contact Gayel Pitchford at 821-7511.
As always there will be something for everyone at Fiddlin’ Down the Tracks with the following divisions: Small Fry (8 years and under), Junior-Junior (9-12 years), Junior (13-17 years), Adult (age 18-49), Senior (50-69), Senior-Senior (70- and up), and the “open division” which showcases talented fiddlers of any age.
Contestants can find a partner and enter the Twin Fiddles Division to play tunes in harmony. Mandolin, banjo and guitar pickers are welcome in the Junior and Adult Picking Divisions. All other instruments are featured in the Junior and Adult Novelty Divisions.
First place trophies and medallions will be awarded, as well as cash prizes. There will be a medallion for the oldest and for the youngest fiddler. Accompanists will also have a chance for a prize depending on the number of times they appear with a fiddler. To help contestants prepare for the contest the following accompanists are available: Gayel Pitchford, 822-7511; Ed Enderle, 399-1496, and Terri Asher, 821-1082.
The contest usually has several people ready to provide guitar backup on the day of the contest, but it is helpful for both the fiddler and the guitarist to plan ahead!
Contestants can find a partner and enter the Twin Fiddles Division to play tunes in harmony. Mandolin, banjo and guitar pickers are welcome in the Junior and Adult Picking Divisions. All other instruments are featured in the Junior and Adult Novelty Divisions.
First place trophies and medallions will be awarded, as well as cash prizes. There will be a medallion for the oldest and for the youngest fiddler. Accompanists will also have a chance for a prize depending on the number of times they appear with a fiddler. To help contestants prepare for the contest the following accompanists are available: Gayel Pitchford, 822-7511; Ed Enderle, 399-1496, and Terri Asher, 821-1082.
The contest usually has several people ready to provide guitar backup on the day of the contest, but it is helpful for both the fiddler and the guitarist to plan ahead!
The contest will open Friday afternoon, September 14, with the Senior and Senior- Senior preliminaries. Friday evening the center will echo with the joyful live fiddling of Gayel Pitchford and other talented fiddlers to welcome the public to an Apple Pie Social and Contra Dance. No one need worry if he is unfamiliar with contra dancing; the live caller will instruct everybody during the course of the dance. All are encouraged to come and have fun!
"Yums on the Run" will again be offering delicious food for your dining pleasure. The Fiddle Bus will be available on Saturday to shuttle anyone to and from the popular Harvest Festival happening in the city park that same weekend.
On Saturday, the contest will resume at 8:55 a.m. with the national anthem and the remaining divisions will be scheduled throughout the day. The grand champion of the contest (the fiddler who wins after competing with all other first place division winners) will be announced late Saturday afternoon. This musician will be certified to officially represent Tehachapi at the next national Fiddle Contest in Weiser, Idaho.
Friday and Saturday afternoons, the popular Band Scrambles will also take place as contestants "scramble " their talents to form impromptu bands and play for cash.
Sunday morning at 11 a.m. there will a Gospel music jam to which all are invited. The entire contest is free of charge.
This year’s contest is made possible by the generosity of many sponsors and District 3 is especially grateful to Sue Bebb, the Tehachapi Valley Recreation and Parks District and the City of Tehachapi.
For more information please contact Contest Chair Cathy Sponsler at 823-0963 or at csponsler@bak.rr.com
For a weekend that will always be remembered, all are invited to come and participate or just sit back and enjoy the uplifting sounds of the American Heritage. With Howdy Forrester’s fiddling enthusiasm in the air, the contest is sure to keep Tehachapi smiling and put a song in every heart!
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