Performers preserve American music custom alive at Virginia’s Old Fiddler’s Convention : NPR

The Old Fiddler’s Convention attracts hundreds of bluegrass and old-time music followers to Galax, Va., the place principally beginner performers compete over six days for prize cash.

A MARTÍNEZ, HOST:

Bluegrass has been the soundtrack of central Appalachia for many years.

(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)

MARTÍNEZ: The musical style often called old-time music goes again centuries. But in an age of infinite digital selection, how do you retain this musical custom alive? NPR’s Frank Langfitt attended the Old Fiddler’s Convention in Galax, Virginia, to search out out.

(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)

FRANK LANGFITT, BYLINE: Thousands of individuals have come to this small metropolis in southwestern Virginia for practically 90 years to attend the occasion. It’s the oldest of its form within the U.S. People set out folding chairs within the metropolis park to observe principally amateurs compete in music, singing and dance for six days for prize cash.

MARY LYNN HATHAWAY-GAYDOS: (Singing) When she heard her mama say, whoa, come to Mama, darling.

LANGFITT: Mary Lynn Hathaway-Gaydos is reprising her efficiency in as we speak’s folksong competitors. That she made it on stage is an enormous deal.

HATHAWAY-GAYDOS: I’ve been coming right here for about 19 years. And humorous factor is, each time Folk Song comes round, I sort of rooster out – not as a result of I do not really feel that I may do it, nevertheless it’s been a tough night time the night time earlier than, and I’ve stayed up choosing until 6 a.m.

LANGFITT: Hathaway-Gaydos works as hospice nurse over the border in North Carolina. She first confirmed up in Galax as a fan.

HATHAWAY-GAYDOS: After coming right here, I mentioned, I’m going to play an instrument. At the age of 34, I picked up mandolin, then went to fiddle and now guitar and a bunch of different devices. And I sing and write songs, and it is all due to this place.

LANGFITT: She honed her abilities throughout jam classes among the many lots of of RVs that individuals park right here for the week. This is the place musicians have traded ideas for many years.

RAISTLIN BRABSON: Well, I’m Raistlin Brabson. I’m about to play “Shootin’ Creek.” Shay Garrick (ph) simply taught it to me. He’s right here on guitar.

(Playing musical instrument).

Here we go.

(Playing musical instrument).

I actually like Shay’s taking part in. I’ll normally simply consider a track. I like how he performs it, after which trouble him at one among these conventions to be taught.

LANGFITT: Garrick’s recognized about Brabson’s household for years.

SHAY GARRICK: I met your great-granddad earlier than I ever met you…

BRABSON: Yeah.

GARRICK: …But possibly earlier than you are born. He was on an outdated document known as “Blue Ridge Barn Dance.”

BRABSON: Yeah. I’ve it.

(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)

LANGFITT: As the lads proceed to play, Margo MacSweeney steps onto a chunk of plywood and begins to bounce. She’s 13 and lives within the city of Floyd, about an hour away. Margo kicks up her heels and sometimes slides backward and forward.

MARGO MACSWEENEY: Now, that is known as flatfoot dancing. It’s a bit of bit totally different than clogging. It’s simply type of, like, smaller steps decrease to the bottom.

LANGFITT: And how did you get into it?

MARGO: I moved to Floyd, and so they have the Friday night time jamboree on the nation retailer, and everybody dances.

LANGFITT: Robyn Reitz is Margo’s mother. She credit Margo’s first banjo trainer for giving her a really feel for the music and the area.

ROBYN REITZ: He cares a lot for the kids to be taught precisely what the area and the city, their tunes and passing on the custom so it does not die and we’re not all simply gazing our cellphones. It’s simply so lovely.

(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)

LANGFITT: Organizers say the Old Fiddler’s Convention drew about 30,000 folks this 12 months. Those numbers are under pre-pandemic ranges. Some right here say the lack of some older musicians may additionally have had an influence, which is why folks on the Old Fiddler’s Convention say encouraging the following technology – children like Margo – is so essential.

Frank Langfitt, NPR News, Galax, Virginia.

(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)

Copyright © 2025 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our web site phrases of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for additional info.

Accuracy and availability of NPR transcripts could differ. Transcript textual content could also be revised to right errors or match updates to audio. Audio on npr.org could also be edited after its authentic broadcast or publication. The authoritative document of NPR’s programming is the audio document.