Forum - Banjo Ben Clark

Simone · October 6, 2022, 11:40am

It’s back - this Thursday (today!), Friday, & Saturday!
2022 Fiddlers Convention, held on the grounds of Athens State University, Alabama.

If you find yourself in or near North Ala this weekend, this might be something you want to check out.

There will be lots of jamming thru out the campus of Athens State all weekend, as well as stage events and competitions. Big outdoor food court and craft vendor booths as well as boondock camping on the grounds. Psyched cuz we’re camping here for the weekend & the weather’s supposed to be fantastic & there’s lots of opportunities to pick with folks !!! Brochure below:

Timothy_L · October 6, 2022, 11:50am

@Simone, are you there? We were planning on going this year but we have gigs on Saturday and Sunday and couldn’t make it work. Hopefully we can go next year!

Flatpickin_Libby · October 6, 2022, 12:02pm

@Timothy_L “ cuz we’re camping here for the weekend”…

Have fun @Simone!! Competing?

Michael_Mark · October 6, 2022, 12:37pm

Ooh! Make sure you don’t miss Balsam Range! And have fun!

Simone · October 6, 2022, 1:00pm

@Timothy_L
@Flatpickin_Libby
@Michael_Mark

Yup we’re here! Bummer yall won’t make it this year, would have been cool to meet you guys and gals! Hope your gigs are a ton of fun!

Nope not competing, my skills are not exactly at that level of playing But it’s all good though, planning to have fun & pick alot with people and get better in that regard - was lucky & got in a few hours last nite .

Looking fwd to Balsam Range!

Will try to get some pics of stuff put up here etc. But I noticed day time cell svc up here is bad & will get worse the more people get online. Svc is best early am or late pm. Took forever just for forum page to load up now that folks are up and moving …

Stuart.Gamble · October 6, 2022, 1:31pm

Looks like a good weekend…y’all have a good time!

BanjoBen · October 12, 2022, 7:55pm

I played a gig last night with the incomparable Tyler Andal who won the old time banjo category…with a Dave Dillard banjo!

Simone · October 12, 2022, 8:07pm

@BanjoBen
Nice! Saw that, and am going to head over and watch the video on YT.

That guy can plAAAAY! Watched him take 1st place in the mando competition. Amazing precise clean picking.

Fwiw, he also took 1st in Classic Old Time Fiddler and Old Time Banjo - second in Guitar flat picking and Dulcimer, and placed in Dobro.

Justin Branum (taught fiddle at last fall’s TN cabin camp for those who aren’t aware) took 2nd in the Old Time Fiddler Championship this year, and a fourth in the mandolin category.

Simone · October 12, 2022, 8:36pm

It was a wondrously fantastically fun weekend! Weather was most excellent for a festival. Just about picked my fingers off my hands too, with zero regrets!

Wish I would have gotten a bunch of pics and/or video… Alas, time flies, and was too occupied with playing tunes, and the fact my phone’s just about full and needs offloading didn’t help matters…

These pics are courtesy of some of @Ol_Papa 's
friends.
Here’s @Ol_Papa :