Seagrove fiddlers begin new era

SEAGROVE — The Seagrove Fiddlers’ Convention is relocating to Southwestern Randolph High School for its 71st annual acoustic talent competition. More than $2,500 in cash prizes along with ribbons for the adults and medallions for the youth will be awarded in 22 different categories in the event this Saturday, March 21. 

“We simply outgrew the gym at the elementary school,” a spokesperson for the event explained. “Southwest offers more seating, more parking, more restrooms, more space for contestants to rehearse. More everything. It will be a great evening for the entire family to enjoy.”

Doors open at 4:30 p.m. when registration begins and ends at 6:45 p.m. with a lottery drawing for order of adult competition. 

The youth competition (15 and under) gets under way at 5:30 p.m. Youth will be followed by dance competition. Playing for the dancers will be Nathan Aldridge, fiddler with the Dan Tyminski Band. 

Adult competition will commence immediately after youth awards are presented.

Judges for the contest are all accomplished performers. The three-member panel consists of: singer/songwriter Donna Hughes, banjoist Tom Hyatt and mandolinist/dobroist Racy Maness. Professional sound and stage will be provided by Geoffrey Keyes of Hickory.

Special awards will be presented throughout the evening. The Greg Corbett Memorial Youth Banjo Award will be presented to the most outstanding young banjo picker. Given by his family, the award consists of a plaque and $100 in memory of Corbett who competed his first time at the Seagrove Fiddlers’ Convention as a child and went on to become a professional banjo player, touring with the Country Gentlemen.

Another award presented is the Alan Perdue Memorial Bluegrass Appreciation Award. This award is given to someone who has made significant contributions to bluegrass music in the area. It is given in memory of Perdue who played mandolin professionally with numerous bands including Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice and Mountain Heart.

A new award this year is the Maxton Byrd Memorial Award given in memory of Byrd who passed away in January. He was responsible for making sure the Seagrove Fiddlers’ Convention returned after a three-year hiatus due to COVID.

In addition to the cash prizes, thanks to generous donations from sponsors, winners will receive special incentives. For example, the first place youth mandolinist will receive a scholarship to attend Alan Bibey’s Mandolin Camp in October. T-shirts, caps and musical accessories will also be awarded in certain categories.

Admission is $12 for adults, $5 for children 6-12, and free for kids under 6. Cash only. Concessions will be available for purchase. All proceeds will benefit the school. 

Southwestern Randolph High School is located at 1641 Hopewell Friends Road, Asheboro.