If you go
› What: Great Southern Old Time Fiddlers’ Convention› When: Noon-9 p.m., Saturday, March 9› Where: 901 Lindsay, 901 Lindsay St.› Admission: $10 ages 7 and older› Online: oldchattanooga.com
Zane Brenham competes in the dance contest at the 2018 Great Southern Old Time Fiddlers' Convention. The competition returns to 901 Lindsay on Saturday, March 9.Back in the day - oh, almost 100 years ago or so - people used to come in from a hard day's labor and unwind by gathering on the front porch or in somebody's living room and play music. In many cases, there was no electricity, but none was needed as none of the instruments required it.
They played banjos or guitars or upright basses, and sang or danced. The songs were often folk tales handed down from generation to generation and community to community. Once or twice a year, the really good players would travel to other cities to test their measure against others.
Chattanooga was home to some of these competitions for many years in the 1920s and '30s, but they fell out of favor after World War II.
Matt Downer has helped revive the competitions and the 10th edition of the new Great Southern Old Time Fiddlers' Convention will be held on Saturday, March 9, beginning at noon at 901 Lindsay event hall.
"We are expecting a really good attendance this year," Downer said.
Order of events
Noon. Doors Open1 p.m. Performance2 p.m. Dance Contest3 p.m. Banjo Contest4 p.m. Dinner Break4:30 p.m. Traditional Song Contest6 p.m. String Band Contest7 p.m. Fiddle Contest
"The competitions are for bragging rights, really. People come and try to win, but they also come to hear this music and to play music with others."
In past years, many of the competitors have gathered outside the old church and on the lawn of nearby Bessie Smith Cultural Center to pick and sing with old and new friends.
"That's as much fun as the competition," Downer said.
Competitions will he held in fiddle, banjo, dance, song and string band. Food and drinks will be available. And, as always, no electric instruments or amplification is allowed.
Rules and prizes
* Fiddle (Prizes 1. $250 2. $125 3. $75)
Old-time fiddling and tunes only, may play solo or with maximum one additional accompanist. Preliminary round: one tune of choice. Finals: two tunes of choice.
* Banjo (Prizes 1. $100 2. $50 3. $25)
Old-time styles and tunes only. May play solo or with one additional accompanist.
* String Band (Prizes 1. $200 2. $100 3. $60)
Old-time styles and tunes only. Band must consist of at least two stringed instruments.
* Dance (Prizes 1. $60 2. $40 3.$20)
Old-time dance style. Dancers who wish to wear metal on shoe soles must bring a board to dance on.
* Traditional Song (Prizes 1. $100 2. $50 3. $25)
Pre-1930 traditional song. Two-minute time limit. Must be performed solo. Can be solo voice or singers may accompany themselves on an instrument.
Contact Barry Courter at 423-757-6354 or bcourter@timesfreepress.com.
Conner Derryberry watches a dance contest at the Great Southern Old Time Fiddlers' Convention at Lindsay Street Hall on Saturday, March 10, 2018, in Chattanooga, Tenn. Musicians and music-lovers gathered for the annual convention which showcases traditional, folk and bluegrass music with instrumental, ensemble and dance contests.