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The Ricky Dunn Band at the 97th Star Fiddlers’ Convention – photo © G Nicholas Hancock
G. Nicholas Hancock attended the 97th Star Fiddlers’ Convention held this past weekend at the original location, Star Elementary School, in the small Montgomery County town of Star, NC.
Here are a few selected photos from the event.
Nathan Aldridge, Derrick Allred, Mike McCollum, and Danny Bowers getting ready to jam in the
hallway at the 2024 Star Fiddlers’ Convention – photo © Gary Hatley
The 97th Annual Star Fiddlers’ Convention is in the books. The long-running central North Carolina acoustic talent contest drew around 200 attendees and almost 40 entries with contestants ranging in age from 6 to 93, vying for $1500 in cash prizes.
Mary Callicutt of the Halcyon Women’s Club, who sponsor the annual event, stated, “I think the Star Fiddlers’ Convention was a big success, with more participants and spectators attending. It was such a beautiful evening that several of the bands chose to go outside to practice before going on. Also, having the young people (age 15 and under) play first, be judged at break time and then be able to leave, was something new that we tried this year. It worked out great. We would just like to thank all the participants, spectators, security, volunteers, and the school for all their help in making this a successful year.”
Winners for this year’s event were:
Band
Fiddle
Banjo
Guitar
Mandolin
Bass
Dobro
Miscellaneous
Vocal
Dance
This year’s prizes included expanded categories in youth (15 years of age and under):
Youth Fiddle
Youth Guitar
Youth Vocals
Youth Banjo
Youth Mandolin
Youth Bass
Each year Star Fiddlers’ Convention gives a $100 prize to the Best Up & Coming Bluegrass Talent (under 15 years of age). Six-year-old fiddler, Bailey Ingram of Aberdeen, NC, received the award. The first grader, who has only been playing six months, fiddled Boil Them Cabbage Down to take home the prize.
The four-hour competition, held at Star Elementary School, included the presentation of the newly renamed (in 2023) Jim & Mary Callicutt Award, in honor of the longtime promoters of the event and first recipients of the award. Previously called the CV Richardson Memorial Award, the fiddlers’ convention was the brainchild of Mr. Richardson of Star High School’s PTA in 1926. The award is presented annually to someone who is dedicated to working and promoting the Star Fiddlers’ Convention. This year’s recipient was the writer of this article, Sandy Hatley.
“I love bluegrass music and the people who play it,” I shared when I was surprised with this great honor.
Star is also the hometown of Sister Sadie’s banjoist, Gena Britt. Her first banjo teacher, Charles Singleton, competed as did her nephew, William Britt, in this year’s convention.
Fiddlers’ conventions continue in central North Carolina with the 69th Seagrove Fiddlers’ Convention on March 16 in Seagrove, beginning at 6:00 p.m. Registration for the Randolph County talent show starts at 5:00 and runs until 6:45 p.m. $2,150 in cash prizes will be awarded to winners, with youth prizes mirroring the adult categories. A new category is being added this year to both age groups: harmony singing. The annual Alan Perdue Memorial Award will be presented to someone who has made significant contributions to the promotion of bluegrass music in our region. Admission is $10.00 for adults, $5 for children, 6-12.
On April 6, the Annual Highfalls Old-Time Fiddlers’ Convention will be held in North Moore High School’s auditorium near Robbins, NC. Competition kicks off at 6:00 p.m. Registration runs from 4:30 until 6:00 p.m. Over $1,800 will be awarded to winners in band, fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin, singer, dancing, bass, dobro, piano/miscellaneous, and most promising talent. The Third Annual Theron Caviness Best Banjo Award will be presented in his memory. Admission is $10.00 for adults, $5 for children, 6-12.
The Allred Family at the 2023 Seagrove Fiddlers’ Convention – photo © G. Nicholas Hancock
Three long-running central North Carolina fiddlers’ convention will return this spring with a number of improvements.
This Saturday, on March 2, the 97th Annual Star Fiddlers’ Convention recommences. Sponsored by the Halcyon Woman’s Club, they are expanding their youth division (ages 15 and under) into seven individual categories (fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin, bass, dobro, and vocal) with prizes for first, second, and third place. The local bluegrass talent contest will be held in its original location, Star Elementary School, located at 302 South Main Street in Star, NC. Doors open at 4:00 p.m. Registration is from 5:00-6:45 p.m. with a lottery drawing for performance order at 5:45. All acts registering after 5:45 will compete in the order of their registration. Competition begins an hour earlier than last year at 6:00 p.m. Over $1,500 will be awarded in cash prizes.
Two weeks later, on March 16, the 69th Annual Seagrove Fiddlers’ Convention returns to Seagrove Elementary School, 528 Old Plank Road in Seagrove, NC. Promoter, Maxton Byrd, and his committee have worked diligently to make this year’s event bigger and better. Thanks to corporate sponsor, Covanta, Blue Ridge Sound of Morganton will provide quality audio for the event. Blue Ridge specializes in bluegrass and acoustic music amplification providing sound for bluegrass festivals such as ones held at Denton FarmPark, Big Lick, and Camp Springs. Bluegrass Ridge TV hosts (Nu-Blu’s Daniel and Carolyn Routh) will be on-site to film interviews and portions of the event for an upcoming episode.
Prize money has increased to $2,150 in cash awards. The talent contest has been expanded to include a full set of youth awards that mirror the adult ones. Also, a new category has been added to competition: harmony singing. Registration is from 5:00-6:45 p.m., with youth competition beginning at 6:00 p.m.
On April 6, the 2024 Highfalls Fiddlers’ Convention will be back. First band prize is $500. First place individual prizes, both youth and adult, are $50 each. The competition will be held at North Moore High School, 1504 N Moore Road in Robbins, NC. Miranda Smith is the promoter. Registration is from 4:30-6:00 p.m. Competition begins at 6:00 p.m.
Admission to each convention is $10 for adults, $5 for children 6-12, free for children under age 6, cash only. All three contests offer concessions and the order of performances will be determined by a lottery drawing prior to competition.
Band competition winners Southern Blend at the 2023 Star Fiddlers’ Convention
“It was fantastic! We did not expect this many people. We had a really good crowd,” shared Mary Callicutt of the Halcyon’s Women’s Club, sponsor for the 96th annual Star Fiddlers’ Convention.
Between 250 and 300 people poured into the elementary school in Star, North Carolina, on Saturday night to hear the bluegrass talent contest. The convention’s last gathering was held in March 2020, just a week prior to the shuttering of school events due to the global pandemic. The musical competition resumed this year, returning to its original site.
Performers came from near and far to compete for the $1,500 in cash prizes. Brooklyn Nicole traveled from Wharton, WV to enter the competition. Her journey netted her two awards. There were also entries from Boone to Raleigh, and Winston-Salem to Rockingham. Contestants ranged in age from 10-92.
Callicutt and her husband, Jim, of Star were honored and surprised by receiving the CV Richardson Memorial Award. The couple has labored over three decades to make the fiddlers’ convention an annual success.
Winners for this year’s event were:
Band
Fiddle
Banjo
Guitar
Mandolin
Bass
Dobro
Vocal
Dance (19-49)
Dance (+50)
Best Up & Coming Bluegrass Talent (under 15 years of age) – Alexander Ferranti, young fiddler from Raleigh (10 years old)
Fiddlers’ conventions continue with the Seagrove Fiddlers’ Convention on March 18 in Seagrove, NC, beginning at 7:00 p.m. Registration for the Randolph County talent show starts at 5:00 and runs until 6:45 p.m. $1,200 in cash prizes will be awarded to winners. The annual Alan Perdue Memorial Award will be presented to someone who has made significant contributions to the promotion of bluegrass music in the region. Admission is $10.00 for adults, $5 for children, 6-12.
On April 1, the 85th Annual Highfalls Old-Time Fiddlers’ Convention will be held in North Moore High School’s auditorium near Robbins, NC. Competition kicks off at 6:00 p.m. Registration runs from 4:30 until 6:00 p.m. Over $1,800 will be awarded to winners in band, fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin, singer, dancing, bass, dobro, piano/miscellaneous, and most promising talent. The Second Annual Theron Caviness Best Banjo Award will be presented in his memory. Admission is $10.00 for adults, $5 for children, 6-12.
The 95th Annual Star Fiddlers’ Convention, the longest continuously running convention in North Carolina, is now in the record books and with it, the largest crowd and group of contestants that the talent contest has seen in recent years.
Mary Callicutt of the Halcyon Women’s Club that sponsors the event shared, “I was in awe with the number of people here. This year was just exceptional. We were pleased with the turnout. The bands were all very good.”
The four hour competition, held in East Montgomery High School’s gym in Biscoe, NC, included the presentation of the CV Richardson award. The fiddlers’ convention was the brainchild of Mr. Richardson of Star High School’s PTA in 1926. In order to pay tribute to its founder, the CV Richardson Memorial Award was established and is presented annually to someone who is dedicated to working and promoting the Star Fiddlers’ Convention. This year’s recipient was Charlie Cranford. The Central Lumber and Supply of Troy store owner has provided plywood for the stage and cloggers’ dance floor for numerous years. Following the presentation, Cranford’s grandsons took to the stage and sang. It was a touching tribute.
“We want everyone to come back next year. The judges told me later that everyone was so good that it was hard to judge!” Callicutt concluded.
Winners for this year’s event were:
Band: first-Flint Hill of Asheboro; second-Passin’ Thru from Star; third-Ingram Family from Aberdeen; fourth-Midway from Kannapolis.
Fiddle: first-Kayleigh Stills from Asheboro, second-Natalie Ingram from Aberdeen, third-Bette Beane from Asheboro, fourth-Malachi Freeman from Carthage.
Banjo: first-Rodney Haywood, second-Alex Edwards from Salisbury, third-Curt Love from Oakboro, fourth-Jack Ritter from Robbins.
Guitar: first-Tommy Chandler from Lexington, second-CH Lineberry from Star, third-William Britt from Star, fourth-Dale Blackwelder from Kannapolis.
Mandolin: first-Dwayne Runyon from Franklinville, second-Jonah Horton from North Wilkesboro, third-Zack Mondry from Burlington, fourth-Eddie Ingram from West End.
Bass: first-John Fogleman from Burlington, second-Will Thrailkill from Mt.Ulla, third-Jimmy Damron, fourth-Joe Grooms from Ellerbee.
Dobro: first-Larry Williams from Asheboro, second-Tony Hensley from Elon, third-Sandy Hatley from Stanfield, fourth-Danny Casstevens from Mocksville.
Vocal: first-Chris Poole from Thomasville, second-Caroline Owens from Denton, third-Natalie Ingram from Aberdeen, fourth-CH Lineberry from Star.
Special Instruments: first-Kenny Welch from Liberty (harmonica).
Dance (12 and under): first-Sarah Luther, second-Kara Greene, third-Sophia McNeill.
Dance (adult): first-Jimmie Harrington, second-Lou Smith from Lakeview, third-Newell Gallimore from Ellerbee, fourth-Azelea Bolton.
Up and Coming Bluegrass Talent (under 15 years of age): Jake Goforth from Troy (13 years old).
Fiddlers’ conventions continue the next two weekends in central NC. This coming Saturday night, March 14, the 85th Annual Highfalls Old-Time Fiddlers’ Convention will be held in North Moore High School’s auditorium near Robbins, NC. Competition kicks off at 6:00 p.m. Registration runs from 4:30 until 7:00 p.m. Over $1,800 will be awarded to winners in band, fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin, singer, dancing, bass, dobro, piano/miscellaneous, and most promising talent. The Second Annual Theron Caviness Best Banjo Award will be presented in his memory. Admission is $7.00. For more information, call 910-464-3600.
The following Saturday, March 21, the Seagrove Fiddlers’ Convention will be held in Seagrove Elementary School’s gymtorium, beginning at 7:00 pm. Registration for the Randolph County talent show starts at 6:00 and runs until 7:30 p.m. $1200 in cash prizes will be awarded to winners. The second annual Alan Perdue Memorial Award will be presented to someone who has made significant contributions to the promotion of bluegrass music in our region. Admission is $8.00. For more information, call 336-381-3183 or 336- 963-3694.
