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Off the Couch: Fiddlers Convention, Winter Jam get the music started

Musicians play at last year's Great Southern Old-Time Fiddlers Convention at 901 Lindsay. The annual convention showcases traditional, folk and bluegrass music with instrumental, ensemble and dance contests.
Musicians play at last year's Great Southern Old-Time Fiddlers Convention at 901 Lindsay. The annual convention showcases traditional, folk and bluegrass music with instrumental, ensemble and dance contests. Musicians play at last year's Great Southern Old-Time Fiddlers Convention at 901 Lindsay. The annual convention showcases traditional, folk and bluegrass music with instrumental, ensemble and dance contests.

By Barry Courter, Lisa Denton 3 min read

BARRY COURTER: Lisa, our guest for this week’s Music Wednesdays was Matt Downer. He’s the co-founder of the Great Southern Old-Time Fiddlers Convention, and as I listened to him play, I kept thinking about one of my favorite Andy Griffith moments.

LISA DENTON: Wait, don’t tell me: You’re talking about when Briscoe Darling suggests he and his boys and Andy play “Don’t Hit Your Grandma With a Great Big Stick.”

BARRY: Yep. The one that makes Charlene Darling cry. So funny. Anyway, the convention is this Saturday, and it marks 10 years since it was revived. Chattanooga used to host these things back in the ’20s and ’30s, and they drew all the best players from around the South and even farther.

Downer is expecting another great crowd of entrants ready to show off their talents on fiddle, banjo, guitar, dance, song and string band. It’s a competition, but it’s about getting together and playing unamplified old-time music.

LISA: It takes place at 901 Lindsay St. in the old church there, which is perfect. Matt, with his beard and hats, always looks the part of an old-timey musician anyway.