Entrants ages 6 to 93 fill the stage in Star event

STAR — The 97^th Annual Star Fiddlers’ Convention is in the books. The long-running acoustic talent contest drew around 200 attendees and almost 40 entries with contestants ranging in age from 6 to 93, vying for $1,500 in cash prizes.

“I think the Star Fiddlers’ Convention was a big success, with more participants and spectators attending,” said Mary Callicutt of the Halcyon Women’s Club, which sponsors the annual event. “It was such a beautiful evening that several of the bands chose to go outside to practice before going on. 

“Also, having the young people (age 15 and under) play first, be judged at break time and then be able to leave, was something new that we tried this year. It worked out great.

“We would just like to thank all the participants, spectators, security, volunteers, and the school for all their help in making this a successful year.”

Winners for this year’s event:

Band: 1st — Passin’ Thru; 2nd — Franklinville Express; 3rd — Twisted Grass Entourage.

Fiddle: 1st —Nathan Aldridge; 2nd — Charlie Tolbert; 3rd — Bette Beane.

Banjo: 1st — Danny Bowers; 2nd — Jacob Johnson; 3rd — Rodney Haywood.

Guitar: 1st — CH Lineberry; 2nd — Derrick Allred; 3rd — Dan Pedersen.

Mandolin: 1st — Alex Meredith; 2nd — Cliff Gilman; 3rd — Dwayne Runyon.

Bass: 1st — John Fogleman; 2nd — Travis Brady; 3rd — Jimmy Damron.

Dobro: 1st — Sandy Hatley; 2nd — Pammy Lassiter.

Miscellaneous: Kenny Welch (harmonica)

Vocal: 1st — Kyna Gunter; 2nd — Eliza Meyer; 3rd — Gary Hatley.

Dance: 1st — Connie Bowman; 2nd — Joanie Bailey; 3rd — Melissa Campbell.

This year’s prizes included expanded categories in youth (15 years of age and under):

Fiddle: 1st — Hollace Oakes; 2nd — Benji Ferranti; 3rd — Alex Ferranti.

Guitar: 1st — Elliot King; 2nd — JD Hussey.

Vocals: 1st — Chelsea Edenfield; 2nd — JD Hussey.

Banjo: 1st — Cameron Edenfield.

Mandolin: 1st — Arthur Hayes.

Bass: 1st — Alexander Hayes.

Each year, Star Fiddlers’ Convention gives a $100 prize to the Best Up & Coming Bluegrass Talent (under 15 years of age). Six-year-old fiddler Bailey Ingram of Aberdeen received this year’s award. The first grader, who has only been playing six months, fiddled “Boil Them Cabbage Down” to take home the prize.

The four-hour competition, held at Star Elementary School, included the presentation of the newly renamed (in 2023) Jim & Mary Callicutt Award. The Callicutts were longtime promoters of the event and the first recipients of the award in their honor.

Previously called the CV Richardson Memorial Award, the fiddlers’ convention was the brainchild of Mr. Richardson of Star High School’s PTA in 1926. The award is presented annually to someone who is dedicated to working and promoting the Star Fiddlers’ Convention. This year’s recipient was the writer of this article, Sandy Hatley.

“I love bluegrass music and the people who play it,” I shared when I was surprised with this great honor.

Star is also the hometown of Sister Sadie’s banjoist, Gena Britt. Her first banjo teacher, Charles Singleton, competed, as did her nephew, William Britt, in this year’s convention.