Fiddlers ARE BACK IN TOWN

Tradition Continues At 31st Annual Convention

We’re a week out from the summer solstice and the fiddlers are back in town. The 31st annual Maury River Fiddlers Convention is at Glen Maury Park in Buena Vista this Friday and Saturday, June 13 and 14.

“Bluegrass and old time mountain music are deeply rooted in tradition, yet are able to grow and evolve as they are passed from one generation to the next,” comments Ruth Huffman, a volunteer organizer for the convention and a local musician herself. “I personally love how this old-fashioned convention creates a space in which the elders and the young people can make music and learn old songs from each other, and while I treasure getting to spend time with so many of my old pickin’ pals at the park, every year I make new friends.”

The fun gets underway Friday at 6 p.m. with an opening ceremony that will be followed by a special performance from Buena Vista native and convention regular Mark Templeton, who will be taking the stage with his wife Karen and their band.

“We have been volunteering at the Maury River Fiddlers Convention for many years,” said Templeton. “It’s always a highlight of our year to be there and see our old friends and meet some new ones. We look forward to the fellowship, fun and music.”

The Friday evening program will include the first round of competitive playing by the bluegrass and old-time bands as well as performances by Barry Collins and the Mudflaps, Corbin Hayslett and Jon Vance.

Children’s musical competitions will get things started Saturday morning. Adults will be competing in individual competitive events during the day, engaging in flatfooting, folk singing and individual instrument contests. In the evening, the old-time and bluegrass bands will return to the stage for the final round of competitions. The old-time host band, the Polecats; and the bluegrass host band, Hammaville, will also perform Saturday night.

DJ Roller, who’s been going to the convention most of his life, said it’s a family tradition for him. “My dad took me to my first bluegrass festival when I was 11 years old, and now I get to bring my son to his first one. The Maury River Fiddlers Convention holds a special place in my heart. I’ve been lucky enough to place in both the mandolin and band competitions but the festival is more than a competition – it’s a tradition of how this music is passed from generation to generation.”

Huffman notes that “while there’s plenty of intensely joyful energy embedded in these musical traditions, another signature element is what’s referred to as ‘that high lonesome sound,’ and there are countless songs about mourning the loss of loved ones. This year we bid fare-

, page B2 well to several of our old guard musicians, who had been so instrumental to the convention over the years.”

Tributes will be made to a couple of folks who died this past year that made major contributions to the success of the convention. “ Notably, we wish to honor Joe Malloy, who helped start the convention originally and gave so generously of his time, energy and enthusiasm,” said Huffman. “Also, Lee Dunbar, a talented bluegrass banjo picker, passed away unexpectedly this year. He attended the convention every year (and won the banjo contest several times), so we’re remembering him not only for his music, but also how he kindly mentored many of the up and coming young pickers, spending countless hours patiently showing kids how to play his signature ‘licks.’

“David Carroll, a member of our bluegrass host band Hammaville, recalls with gratitude many a late night jam session with Lee, and David credits that mentorship with aiding his own development as a professional musician. Barry Collins and his group the Mudflaps will be performing their set on Friday, closing out the stage show and celebrating Lee’s legacy, giving a mountain style shout-out to him and so many of those who have gone on before, leaving us all with wonderful memories of music made with friends out under the summer stars at Glen Maury Park.”

Huffman points out that upgrades have been completed at the campground so everyone can have a comfortable experience at the convention. Delicious food will be available in the concessions that is being prepared by Bonnie Wilmer and others from the South River Volunteer Fire Department Admission to the convention is $10 Friday and $15 Saturday. A two-day pass is $20. Camping is $25 per night with electricity and water and $15 per night for tent camping without hookups.

Huffman said she’s grateful for the continued support of the city of Buena Vista, most especially Millie Sizer, Ed Armentrout and the staff of Glen Maury Park. She pointed out the generosity of Rockbridge Regional Tourism in providing the convention with a grant “that exceeded our expectations.”

“We at Maury River Fiddlers’ Convention are all volunteers, and [the tourism board’s] kind sponsorship, as well as that of so many local businesses and individuals, enables us to give better prize money for the contests, beef up our publicity efforts and buy supplies for the event while still keeping admission rates super affordable for all our attendees.”

For more convention details, visit www.mauryriverfiddlers. wordpress. com.