Ringgold’s 1890s Days Jamboree Fiddle Contest grows with contestants from eight states
Fiddlers, guitarists, mandolinists and cloggers from eight states descended on Ringgold, Ga. May 23 to compete in the 1890s Days Jamboree Fiddlers Contest.
Forty fiddlers rosined up their bows and 48 cloggers kicked up their heels to win nearly $6,000 in prize money on the Northwest Georgia Bank stage in the historic Ringgold Depot.
“We are so excited about this year’s growth with not only new contestants but more top-talent competitors in all categories,” said event chairman Lewis Taylor. “The event moved this year to the event’s main stage and we kept thousands of attendees entertained throughout the day.”
Taylor is a champion harmonica player winning titles in several states and numerous contests.
Doug Fleener of Leitchfield, Ky won the Randall Franks Trophy at the 1890s Days Jamboree May 23.
Fleener won his 16-21-age category for the chance to compete.
In the fiddle off, he faced Kerry Varble of Toledo, Ohio from 22-50 age category, who placed second, and Mack Snoderly of Clyde, N.C., winner of the 51 and up category who placed third.
The top prize is named in honor of Appalachian Ambassador of the Fiddle Randall Franks, “Officer Randy Goode” from TV’s “In the Heat of the Night.” He cheered the top three competitors on in their bid to win the Randall Franks Trophy, the $500 prize and an invitation to compete in the Grand Master Fiddler Championship in Nashville in October. He then presented the winners on the main stage.
Once holding the title of Georgia State Bluegrass Champion, the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame inductee is a former member of Bill Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys, Jim and Jesse’s Virginia Boys and numerous other groups who as a solo performer often shared his talents for the Grand Ole Opry. Franks currently co-hosts the Grand Master Fiddler Championship in Nashville each year.
“Through our efforts with the Share America Foundation we encourage youth in the traditional music of Appalachia,” he said. “Fiddling, dancing, mandolin and guitar playing fit right into that desire, so I am pleased to share my time with this project. We saw a tremendous outpouring of participation in our youth categories. It is so gratifying to see so many youth step on the stage and compete. It was in fiddle contests like this that I got my first chances at performing and growing in my music. That makes a big difference in a young person’s life.”
The team clogging competition was won by Rocky Top Revue of Franklin, Tenn. with Harpeth River of Franklin, Tenn. taking second place; Main Stage Fusion of Springfield, Tenn. winning third; Jackson Hollow of Franklin, Tenn., winning fourth place.
Catoosa, Walker and Whitfield county competitors fared well Joe Rodgers of Ringgold winning first place in mandolin; Jonathan Goins of Tunnel Hill placed second in the guitar and mandolin contest; Kylan Rodgers of Ringgold placed third in guitar; fiddler Doug Carson of Flintstone placing third in the 22-50 age category; clogger Tasha Liedel of Ringgold placed third in the 21 to 30 category.
The next 1890s Days Jamboree Fiddlers Contest will be Memorial Day weekend Saturday 2010 in Ringgold.
1890s Day Jamboree Fiddle Contest winners:
First, second and third places
Fiddlers:
Randall Franks Trophy Fiddle Off:
Doug Fleener of Leitchfield, Ky.
Kerry Varble of Toledo, Ohio
Mack Snoderly of Clyde, N.C.
Ages 10 and under:
Caleb Bryant of Northport, Ala.
Thomas Allison of Rainsville, Ala.
Raygan Sellers of Ashland City, Tenn.;
Ages 11-15:
Alex Tomlinson of Suches, Ga.;
Emma DeJarnette of Snellville, Ga.;
Anna Allison of Rainsville, Ala.
Ages 16-21:
Doug Fleener of Leitchfield, Ky.
Aerin DeJarnette of Snellville, Ga.
Rachel Allison of Rainsville, Ala.
Ages 22-50:
Kerry Varble of Toledo, Ohio
Ashley Sullivan Mt. Juliet, Tenn.
Doug Carson of Flintstone, Ga.
Ages 51 and up:
Mack Snoderly of Clyde, N.C.,
Cheryl Copas of Snellville, Ga.
Fred Sullivan of Mt. Juliet. Tenn.
Guitarists:
Tyler Sellers Ashland City, Tenn.
Jonathan Goins Tunnel Hill, Ga.
Kylan Rodgers Ringgold, Ga.
Best Backup Guitarist:
Todd Varble of Toledo, Ohio
Mandolinists:
Joe Rodgers Ringgold, Ga.
Jonathan Goins Tunnel Hill, Ga.
Aerin DeJarnette Snellville, Ga.
Ages 31 and up:
Cheryl Chunn of Springfield, Tenn.
Tommy Jackson of Franklin, Tenn.
Luis Blackburn of Nashville, Tenn.
