Thousands Attend The 1890s Day Jamboree Old Time Fiddle Convention

Organizers at the 1890s Day Jamboree Old Time Fiddlers Convention welcomed over 100 contestants including fiddlers, guitarists, mandolinists, bands, banjo players, and cloggers from states across the south to Ringgold on Saturday.

Instumentalists struck a chord as dancers twirled into the hearts of audiences as they cheered dozens of musicians on to victory to win nearly $7,000 in prize money sponsored by Walter Jackson Chevrolet stage at the historic Catoosa County Courthouse. 

“We marked our 12th contest this year with some of the closest competition we have seen,” said contest organizer Lewis Taylor. “Our volunteers give tirelessly to create and enjoyable event. Without them, our high caliber judges, and our sponsors, none of this would be possible.”

Mr. Taylor is a champion harmonica player winning titles in several states and numerous contests. Maddie Denton of Murfreesboro, Tenn. won the Randall Franks Trophy at the 1890s Day Jamboree. 

Ms. Denton also won the 22-50 age category for the chance to compete for the trophy. In the fiddle off, she faced Mack Snoderly of Clyde, N.C. winner of the 51 and up category, who won fourth, Andrew Lin of Lexington, Ky from 16-21 category, who placed third, and Ivy Phillips of winner of the 11-15 category,  who placed second.

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.” On the heels of a Grand Ole Opry appearance, he cheered the top four competitors on in their bid to win the Randall Franks Trophy and the $500 prize. He presented the winners on the main stage with Mr.  Taylor.

Once holding the title of Georgia State Bluegrass Champion, the International Bluegrass Music Museum Bluegrass Legend, and Independent Country Music Hall of Fame inductee, Mr. Franks is a former member of Bill Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys, Jim and Jesse’s Virginia Boys, and numerous other groups who as a guest star often shared his talents for the Grand Ole Opry. Mr. Franks co-hosts the Grand Master Fiddler Championship at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville each year.
 
“It is so amazing to see the talent of these musicians. We have watched many grow up on our stage and so many are now competing at an international level,” he said. “We are blessed the 1890s Day Jamboree committee strives to keep the tradition of the fiddle contests a vital part of the American musical fabric.”

Main Stage Explosion won the team dance competition, Main Stage Revolution took second place, Main Stage Treble Makers won third, and Main Stage Extras took fourth, all from Springfield, Tn.

In the bluegrass band competition, Slim Chance of Murfreesboro, Tn. won first place, A Step Ahead of Greenbrier, Tn. took second, and Rita and Gary Woody of Tunnel Hill, Ga. received third, Strictly Bluegrass of Ringgold, Ga. got fourth and McGill and Company of Ringgold, Ga. received fifth.

Tyler Andal of Nashville won guitar, banjo, and mandolin contests and third in 21-30 dance. Rob Pearcy of Smyrna, Tn. took third in the mandolin and second in guitar competition, and received back up guitarist award. Maddie Denton of Murfreesboro, Tn. took third in guitar, banjo, and second in 21-30 dance. Ivy Phillips of Chapmanboro, Tn. won second in mandolin and banjo, and third in 11-20 dance.

Other individual dancers took home awards in several categories: Treble Chunn of Greenbrier, Tn.; Amelia Brown of Springfield, Tn.; and Sydney Borski of Gallatin, Tn0,. won first through third in the 10 and under dance.

Brayden Chunn of Greenbrier, Tn. and Meredith Hudson of Gordo, Al. took the top two positions in 11-20 dance.

Doug Ogle of Cohutta, Ga. won first in 21-30 dance.

Cheryl and Larry Chunn of Greenbrier, Tn. won first and second, while Sherry Borski of Gallatin, Tn. took third in the 31-up dance.

The next 1890s Day Jamboree Old Time Fiddlers Convention will be Memorial Day weekend Saturday 2018 in Ringgold, Ga.

2017 1890s Day Jamboree Old Time Fiddle Convention winners:
 
Fiddlers:
Randall Franks Trophy Fiddle Off:
Maddie Denton – Murfreesboro, Tn.
Ivy Phillips – Chapmansboro, Tn.
Andrew Lin – Lexington, Ky.
Mack Snoderly – Clyde, N.C.
 
Ages 10 and under:
Macy Shelton – Coker, Al.
Emma Shelton – Coker, Al.
Treble Chunn – Greenbrier, Tn.
Ages 11-15:
Ivy Phillips – Chapmansboro, Tn.
Benjamin Lin – Lexington, Ky.
Abby Claire Vaughn – Berry, Al.
Meredith Hudson – Gordo, Al.
Ages 16-21:
Andrew Lin – Lexington, Ky.
Matthew Lin –  Lexington, Ky.
Jacob Johnson – Lincoln, Al.
Ashley Taylor – Antioch, Tn.
Ages 22-50:
Maddie Denton – Murfreesboro, Tn.
Tyler Andal – Nashville, Tn.
Doug Fleener – Litchfield, Ky.
Bill Jones – Hokes Bluff, Al.
Ages 51 and up:
Mack Snoderly – Clyde, N.C.
Marcia Denton – Murfreesboro, Tn.
Gary Woody – Tunnel Hill, Ga.
Rob Pearcy – Smyrna, Tn.
 
Bluegrass Band:
Slim Chance – Murfreesboro, Tn.
A Step Ahead – Greenbrier, Tn.
Rita and Gary Woody – Tunnel Hill, Ga.
Strictly Bluegrass – Ringgold, Ga.
McGill and Company – Ringgold, Ga.
 
Guitarists:
Tyler Andal – White House, Tn.
Rob Pearcy –  Smyrna, Tn.
Maddie Denton – Murfreesboro, Tn.
Best Backup Guitarist:
Rob Pearcy –  Smyrna, Tn.
Mandolinists:
Tyler Andal – White House, Tn.
Ivy Phillips – Chapmansboro, Tn.
Rob Pearcy –  Smyrna, Tn.
Banjoist:
Tyler Andal – White House, Tn.
Ivy Phillips – Chapmansboro, Tn.
Maddie Denton – Murfreesboro, Tn.
 
Cloggers:
10 and under:
Treble Chunn – Greenbrier, Tn.
Amelia Brown – Springfield, Tn.
Sydney Borski – Gallatin, Tn.
Ages 11-20:
Brayden Chunn – Greenbrier, Tn.
Meredith Hudson – Gordo, Al.
Ivy Phillips – Chapmansboro, Tn.
Ages 21-30:
Doug Ogle – Cohutta, Ga.
Maddie Denton – Murfreesboro, Tn.
Tyler Andal – Nashville, Tn.
Ages 31 and up:
Cheryl Chunn – Greenbrier, Tn.
Larry Chunn – Greenbrier, Tn.
Sherry Borski – Gallatin, Tn.
Clogging Team:
Main Stage Explosion – Springfield, Tn.
Main Stage Revolution – Springfield, Tn.
Main Stage Treble Makers – Springfield, Tn.
Main Stage Extras – Springfield, Tn.