Younger generation dominates Granite Quarry Fiddlers’ Convention; Connor honored
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, October 16, 2019
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Route 52 came in second among bluegrass bands at the Granite Quarry Fiddlers Convention. Submitted photo
Youthful bluegrass performers at the Granite Quarry Fiddlers Convention Saturday included the Dem Pickers Band. Submitted photo
Pammy Lassiter took home the first-place award for the dobro. Submitted photo
Jordan McCallister, a member of the Dem Pickers Band, won second place in the adult banjo competition. Submitted photo
GRANITE QUARRY — Addy Webster, 4, stole the hearts of the judges at the Granite Quarry Civitan Fiddlers’ Convention on Saturday night, earning her a third-place Junior Vocal award and the Don & Margaret Livengood Memorial Award for Most Outstanding Youth Performance.
Webster delighted the audience by singing “Shady Grove My Little Miss” at near perfect pitch.
This year’s competition was dominated by a younger generation of musicians, a sign that traditional bluegrass music will be passed on through the generations, convention coordinator Vivian Hopkins said.
At a break in the competition, the Civitan Club honored Salisbury native Darrell Connor for his lifelong commitment to the preservation and promotion of the region’s music heritage.
Connor and members of his Country Legends Band performed a short set.
The Fiddlers’ Convention is a major fundraiser for the Granite Quarry Civitan Club with proceeds providing money for scholarships at East Rowan High School, among other local and regional charities.
Proceeds also support Erwin Middle School, Granite Quarry Elementary School and the Early College program at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College.
Youth winners at Saturday’s Fiddlers’ Convention include:
• Bluegrass Gospel Band: First, Westside Gospel.
• Old Time Fiddle: First, Sabrina Patel; second, Teddy Smoker.
• Bluegrass Fiddle: First, Reagan Thomas; second, Tyler Basinger.
• Bluegrass Banjo: First, Carley Hatley.
• Mandolin: First, Amelia Freeman; second, Ethan Tarleton; third, Ruth Hathcock.
• Guitar: First, Nathan Wagner; second, Gabe Webster; third, Blaze Adams.
• Vocal: Forst, Brayden Howell; second, Ethan Tarleton; third, Addy Webster.
Winners in the adult division were:
• Bluegrass Band: First, Blu Astro Turf; second, Route 52; third, Goldline.
• Bluegrass Gospel Band: First, Crossroads.
• Old Time Fiddle: First, Scott Stegall; second, Noah Batke.
• Ralph Pennington Memorial Award for Old Time Fiddle: Scott Stegal.
• Bluegrass Fiddle: First, Alec McCallister; second, Keith Dunn; third, Malachi Freeman.
• Ralph Pennington Memorial Award for Bluegrass Fiddle: Alec McCallister.
• Bluegrass Banjo: First, Alex Edwards; second, Jordan McCallister; third, John Lee.
• Guitar: First, Daniel Thraillkill; second, Tommy Chandler: third, Titus Dryer.
• Mandolin: First, Jonah Horton; second, Richard Benton; third, Tom Isenhour.
• Bass: First, Will Thrailkill; second, Jeremy Nash; third, Bobby Hartsell.
• Dobro: First, Pammy Lassiter; second, Sandy Hatley.
• Vocal: First, Caroline Owens; second, Samantha Smith; third, Rebecca Tucker.
