Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree time

By DENNIS STANLEY / General Manager of Smithville Review

For the 31st annual Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree, 800 musicians are expected to perform beginning this morning. The jamboree is expected to draw a crowd of some 100,000 people.

Pick up the fiddle and rosin up the bow, the 31st annual Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree and Crafts Festival is set for Friday and Saturday on the square in downtown Smithville.

It’s the time of year when the sleepy community of Smithville transforms into a major metropolitan area as visitors, contestants and craftsmen from all over the country converge.

Held annually on the weekend nearest July 4, the first Jamboree attracted 714 musicians from 16 states with an audience of 8,000. This year, approximately 800 musicians are expected with a two-day transient crowd predicted at well over 100,000. The first Jamboree consisted of 13 categories of competition with prize money of just over $1,000. Today there are 31 categories with over $12,000 in prize money. Over 230 crafters from nearly 25 states are also expected.

Publicized around the country through PBS television and various magazine articles, the Jamboree has grown into such a major event it is now an attraction promoted by the Tennessee Department of Tourism. In 1997, the event became the Official State and National Championship Fiddlers’ Jamboree and Crafts Festival.

Due to the popularity of the movie “O Brother Where Art Thou” and subsequent bluegrass music specials, coordinator Neil Dudney expects more muscians, especially in the bluegrass band category held Saturday.

“I really expect to have the biggest festival we’ve ever had,” Dudney said.

In anticipation of increased participation, the Jamboree will begin one hour earlier each day.

The opening ceremonies will begin at 8:30 a.m. Friday and Rodney Haskin will again play the national anthem on his fiddle that is over 250 years old.

Competition begins at 9 a.m. with Old-Time Appalachian Folksinging (solo/duet).

Other events on Friday include, in order: Guitar (flat top); Junior Clogging (Ages 13-35); Junior Buckdancing (ages 13-35); Dobro Guitar, Dulcimer (mountain); Dulcimer (hammer); Novelty Event; Old-Time Fiddler Band; Autoharp; Gospel Singing (solo); Country Harmonica; Old-Time Banjo; Gospel Singing (duet, trio and quartet); and Mandolin. The finals of all those categories will be held before the evening is complete.

Competition kicks off Saturday at 9 a.m. with the Junior Fiddlers’ (ages 13-39). That event will be followed by: Old-Time Appalachian Flatfoot Dance (all ages); Senior Buckdancing (ages 36 & over); Senior Clogging (ages 36 & over); Bluegrass Banjo and Bluegrass Band.

The focus then is placed on the youngsters as musicians and dancers through age 12 compete in the National Championship Country Musician Beginners categories.

Those events include: Buckdancing; Clogging; Dobro Guitar; Mandolin; Banjo (five string); Flat Top Guitar; and Fiddle. The winner in the Fiddle category will be presented the James G. “Bobo” Driver National Championship Country Musician Beginners Fiddlers’ Memorial Trophy and $175.

After the finals in the Beginners categories, competition resumes with Senior Fiddlers (ages 40 & over) and Square Dancing. Once the finals of those two events are completed, the Junior and Senior Fiddler winners compete in a “fiddle-off” for the Grand Championship and the Berry C. Williams Memorial Trophy along with $300.

Visitors can enjoy outstanding food at the booths sponsored by local civic, school and church organizations.

NOTE TO CONTESTANTS:

Jamboree contestants are reminded of a new rule this year: Those signing up first will perform last. Names will be called from the sign-up list in reverse order.

Smithville Jamboree Schedule
TODAY
Starting at 9 a.m.
Events take place in this order
• Old-time Appalachian folk singing
• Guitar
• Junior clogging
• Junior buck dancing
• Dobro guitar
• Dulcimer (mountain and hammer)
• Spoon clacking, jug blowing,
washboard playing
• Old-time fiddle bands
• Autoharp
• Gospel singing
• Old-time banjo
• Mandolin

TOMORROW
Starting at 9 a.m.
• Junior fiddlers
• Old-time Appalachian flat-foot dance
• Senior buck dancing
• Senior clogging
• Bluegrass banjo
• Bluegrass bands
• Senior fiddle players
• Square dancing
• Junior and Senior fiddle-off for grand championship and Berry C. Williams Memorial Trophy

National championships will also take place in the country music beginners association in the following categories:
• Buck dancing
• Clogging
• Dobro guitar
• Mandolin
• Banjo (five string)
• Flat-top guitar
• Fiddle