If you go
› What: DeKalb County Fiddlers Convention.› When: 11 a.m. CDT Saturday, June 4.› Where: Rotary Pavilion, 202 Fifth St. NE, Fort Payne, Ala.› Admission: $10 (free for children under 10).› Phone: 256-845-2224.› Website: www.russellgulleymusic.com/dekalbfiddlersconvention.
The DeKalb County Fiddlers Convention, a celebration of the region's musical heritage, returns for its 108th anniversary on Saturday, June 4.
The first convention took place in 1908 at the DeKalb County Courthouse in Fort Payne, Ala. These days, bluegrass and old-time musicians gather at the Rotary Pavilion for a full day of contests to award an almost $4,000 purse.
Reflecting the convention's main focus, fiddlers will take center stage for four of the 12 contests. Other competitions will crown first- and second-place winners in Dobro, mandolin, old-time banjo, guitar, upright bass, bluegrass banjo, bluegrass band and old-time band.
On-site registration starts at 11 a.m. CDT, and contests will run throughout the day.
Russell Gulley, who helps organize the convention for the Big Wills Arts Council, says 50 to 75 musicians typically turn out to compete. Senior fiddler and the band competitions are always crowd favorites, he says.
Admission is $10 (free for children under 10). Proceeds support the Big Wills Arts Council's Arts in Education Programs in Fort Payne area schools.
Gulley says the venue will have some portable seating, but visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs. Food and drink concessions will be available.
Jim O’Connor at RadioVizions
Also returning to Fort Payne this week is old-time banjo player Jim Connor, who wrote “Grandma’s Feather Bed” for John Denver. Connor will be the musical guest tonight, June 2, for RadioVizions, a series of house concerts featuring Americana, traditional and roots artists whose performances are taped for syndication to radio stations. Connor’s show starts at 7 p.m. CDT in the Fort Payne Coal and Iron Building, 501 N. Gault Ave. Admission is a $15 donation. An artist reception starts at 6 p.m. For more information, call 256-979-1910 or 256-845-0203, or visit www.russellgulleymusic.com/radiovizions.
Contest categories and cash prizes
Dobro: $75 and $50Peewee fiddle: $50 and $25Mandolin: $75 and $50Old-time banjo: $75 and $50Junior fiddle: $100 and $50Guitar: $75 and $50Upright bass: $75 and $50Bluegrass banjo: $75 and $50Senior fiddle: $150 and $100Old-time fiddle: $150 and $100Bluegrass band: $750 and $400Old-time band: $750 and $400