First place band, Passin’ Thru (Rodney Haywood, CH Lineberry, Jim Damron, Dwayne Runyon)
After a three-year hiatus due to COVID, the 85th annual Highfalls Fiddlers’ Convention returned to the North Moore High School auditorium in Robbins, NC. Under the leadership of new promoter, Miranda Smith, along her committee, the annual acoustic talent show was brought back after its former hosts, Highfalls Elementary School, decided to focus their fundraising efforts in another direction.
Smith, a 22-year-old NC State student explained her involvement. “I’m just someone who used to attend (the event) as a kid while I was (a student) at Highfalls/North Moore.”
Hating to see the annual bluegrass competition cease, Miranda stepped up to the plate, rolled up her sleeves, and went to work. Her efforts paid off.
MC for the event, Big T Lassiter, announced from stage, “They ran out of arm bands (at the ticket booth). We have had over 600 in attendance.”
Winners for this year’s competition were:
Band
- Passin’ Thru
- Once in a Blue Moon
- Franklinville Express
Fiddle
- Sachie Sharp
- Sam Hill
- Keith Dunn
Banjo
- Jack Ritter
- Rodney Haywood
- Tom Hyatt
Mandolin
- Alex Meredith
- Dwayne Runyon
- John Bishop
Guitar
- CH Lineberry
- John Michael Hill
- Cooper Marona
Bass
- John Fogleman
- Jimmy Damron
- Travis Brady
Dobro
- Daniel Smith
- Pammy Davis Lassiter
- Sandy Hatley
Vocal
- Teresa Marley
- Anita Bishop
- Justin Davis
Dancers
- Brad Davis
- Jimmie Harrington
- Kathy Schilling
Judges’ Choice Award
- Gracie Arnett (vocal/guitar)
Most Outstanding Adult
- Alex Meredith (mandolin)
Youth winners:
Guitar
- Elliot King
- Miles Welch
- Nolan Garner
Banjo
- Cameron Edenfield
Mandolin
- Jacob Hill
Vocal
- Chelsea Edenfield
Outstanding Youth Performance
- Chelsea Edenfield
Theron Caviness Memorial Best Banjo Award
- Jack Ritter
Theron Caviness (who passed away in 2019 at age 94) was remembered when his banjo-picking son, Elton, took the stage and presented Ritter the second annual Theron Caviness Best Banjo Player Award. Ritter was also the recipient of the memorial at the last convention held in 2019. The young banjoist was awarded a plaque and $100.
The elder Caviness first attended Highfalls Fiddlers’ Convention as a listener in 1937. He learned to play music on a homemade four string banjo with a cat skin head, and formed a band with his brother, uncle, and cousin. They called themselves the Red Star Boys and began competing at area fiddlers’ conventions. Over the next 25 years, Theron, a Moore County native, picked banjo. After developing arithritis, he switched to bass fiddle and continued to compete, even winning the first bass prize at the Highfalls Convention in 2017 at age 92.
His son, Elton, who performed for years with his dad in their band, Solid Rock Bluegrass, referenced his father’s legacy. “He has been an inspiration to many people, especially those that started playing music at an early age. He was always complimenting their talent and encouraging them to stick with their instrument, practice hard, and one day reap the benefits.”
Plans are already underway for the 86th annual Highfalls Fiddlers’ Convention next year. It will return to its original date, the second weekend in March, between Star and Seagrove’s talent competitions, all located in central North Carolina.
