5th Annual Pickin' at the MARC Fiddlers' Convention
Information
Saturday, November 9, 2019 Competition begins at 12 noon. Registration begins at 11 a.m. and continues throughout the afternoon.
Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for students. Competitors receive $5 rebate following completion of their competition category.
Competition Categories
Bluegrass Band
Old Time Band
Bluegrass Fiddle
Old Time Fiddle
Bluegrass Banjo
Old Time Banjo
Guitar
Open/Variety
Mandolin
Vocal
Flat Foot Dancing
Youth Vocal
Youth Instrumental
Youth Flat Foot Dancing
Family Activities include performances of Bluegrass and Old Time music, tours of the Historic Wright Tavern, new Agriculture Exhibit, and museum complex; food and vendors
Jeff Little With few exceptions, the piano does not play a prominent part in Appalachian or Americana music, and is rarely the lead instrument. But Jeff Little is an exception – and a remarkable one. His distinctive style is breathtaking in its speed, precision and clarity.
Jeff as well as his trio stay busy traveling the country performing concerts with an energy and dedication to their music that is evident at every show. Performances include The Smithsonian Institution, The National Folk Festival, American Piano Masters, and many festivals, performing arts centers, and music venues throughout the US. Jeff has been featured on National Public Radio and PBS many times and has also taken his music around the world for the US Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs performing in Sri Lanka, Bahrain, Oman, France and Tanzania. In 2014 Jeff was inducted into the Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame. In addition, Jeff is a full-time faculty member and Artist in Residence for the Popular Music Program at Catawba College in Salisbury, NC.
Steve Lewis Steve Lewis is an award - winning guitar and banjo player from Todd NC and is one of the most respected acoustic musicians in the country. Steve is well known for his flat picking on guitar and his mastery of the five - string banjo. Steve has won many championships for his guitar and banjo playing. Some of the prestigious events include the Walnut Valley Nationals, Merlefest, the Galax Old Time Fiddlers Convention, Renofest and the Wayne Henderson Guitar Competition. Steve is also a two-time national champion on the banjo. He remains an in-demand guitar and banjo teacher and is dedicated to sharing his love of music with the next generation.
Luke Little Luke Little has quickly become an outstanding mandolin player. He began playing mandolin at age 15, and in just a few years he has won many competition ribbons including first place at the 2018 Ashe Fiddlers Convention. In addition to his work as a professional musician he is also a full-time college student
“Jeff Little is a remarkable musician, steeped in the tradition of his native Blue Ridge, yet also a virtuosic and eclectic innovator."- National Public Radio
"Jeff Little tore the place apart with his wondrously quick and articulate piano style. He is always intelligent and richly melodic."-The Boston Globe
Slate Mountain Ramblers
The Slate Mountain Ramblers is a family old-time band from Mt. Airy, NC. They formerly lived in Ararat, VA, a small community at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains. For many years, Richard Bowman, his wife, Barbara, and their daughter Marsha, have spent weekends playing music. Richard plays fiddle, Barbara the bass and Marsha plays claw-hammer banjo.
The Slate Mountain Ramblers play for shows, dances, family and community gatherings, benefits and compete at fiddler’s conventions throughout the year. They have played internationally at the Austrian Alps Performing Arts Festival and in Gainsborough, England for the Friends of American Old Time Music and Dance Festival. They also lead fiddle, banjo, bass and dance workshops. Richard Bowman is a champion fiddler, winning old-time fiddle competitions at many fiddlers conventions including Galax, Mt. Airy and Fiddler’s Grove. He has been playing the fiddle for about 45 years, the last 35 plus as leader of the Slate Mountain Ramblers. Learning from local old-time fiddlers, Richard’s long-bow style is easily recognizable. At fiddler’s conventions, he can be found with fellow musicians in a jam session. Other weekends finds Richard and the band playing for square dances where everyone enjoys flat footing or two-stepping to a pile of fiddle tunes.
Marsha Bowman Todd is a hard driving clawhammer banjo player. Being Richard and Barbara’s daughter, she has been around music since birth. Early on, she could be found listening and dancing to her Dad’s fiddle music. Playing in the band for 27 years, Marsha joined the band at age 9 playing mandolin. A few years later, she switched to banjo, which she still plays. In addition to being an award winning clawhammer banjo player, Marsha also plays the two-finger banjo style. Her versatility on banjo is further evident when she puts on picks and plays threefinger bluegrass style. You may also find Marsha playing fiddle, guitar or bass. Marsha adds vocals on select tunes and occasionally gets her Dad to join in. In addition to being an accomplished musician, Marsha is also an award winning dancer.
Barbara Bowman, Richard’s wife, began playing bass 27 years ago. Prior to joining the band, Barbara was square dancing and flat footing as Richard played at dances. She competes in bass and flat footing competition at conventions bringing home awards in both. Barbara has been calling square dances for several years and does workshops teaching various routines.
Randy Hiatt is a solid guitar player and singer. He has lived in Mt. Airy, NC his entire life. He began playing guitar when he was 12 years old. He was influenced by many of his family members including his Dad and Mom (Melvin and Artis Hiatt). He has played old time and bluegrass music with several bands over the years, including previously playing with the Slate Mountain Ramblers.