The Old-Time music tradition born in Surry County and the sound of sweet music carries throughout the Blue Ridge Mountains from local, national and international musicians at the Annual Mount Airy Old-Time Fiddlers Convention at Veterans Memorial Park in Mount Airy, North Carolina.
Traditionally held the first full weekend in June, this family friendly event brings together musicians and fans for two full days of competition, jam sessions, dancing, singing, education, and family entertainment. This popular festival, established in 1972, is dedicated to old-time and bluegrass music, as well as dance. The Fiddlers Convention features solo and band competitions whose winners are awarded cash prizes.
Free old-time and bluegrass workshops and Dances will take place on Tuesday, June 4 through Friday, June 7 at Veterans Memorial Park. It brings master musicians directly to attendees of all ages who want to learn from area masters. They are another way to extend the old-time experience for those attending the Mount Airy Bluegrass and Old-Time Fiddlers Convention.
Tuesday, June 4, 2024
- 6:00-8:00 pm
Dance – The Nunn Brothers and Friends
Wednesday, June 5, 2024
- 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Morning Session
– Mac Traynham – Blue Ridge Old-Time Fiddle
– Chester McMillian and Wesley Clifton – Old-Time Guitar
– Trish Fore – Beginner/Intermediate Clawhammer Banjo
– Kyle Dean Smith – Upright Bass
– Riley Baugus and Kevin Fore – Round Peak Clawhammer Banjo
– Lois Hornbostel – Introduction to Mountain Dulcimer Playing (loaners available)
- 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Afternoon Session
– Mac Traynham – Blue Ridge Old-Time Fiddle
– Chester McMillian – Old-Time Guitar
– Kyle Dean Smith – Old-Time Guitar Runs – Blue Ridge Style
– Riley Baugus and Wesley Clifton – Singing/Folksong
– Kevin Fore – Round Peak Clawhammer Banjo
– Lois Hornbostel – Continuing Basic Dulcimer Playing (loaners available)
- 3:45 pm – 4:45 pm
Old-Time Jam/Dance Workshop
With Mac Traynham, Riley Baugus, Chester McMillian, Kevin Fore, Trish Fore, Wesley Clifton, Kyle Dean Smith, Lois Hornbostel, and Ehukai Teves
- 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Old-Time Dance
With Mac Traynham, Kevin Fore, Wesley Clifton, Riley Baugus, Kyle Dean Smith, Chester McMillian, and Trish Fore as M.C.
Thursday, June 6, 2024
- 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Morning Session
– Mac Traynham – Blue Ridge Old-Time Fiddle
– Chester McMillian and Wesley Clifton – Old-Time Guitar
– Riley Baugus and Kevin Fore – Round Peak Banjo
– Kyle Dean Smith – Upright Bass
– Trish Fore – Beginner/Intermediate Clawhammer Banjo
– Lois Hornbostel – Fiddle Tunes on Mountain Dulcimer (loaners available)
- 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Afternoon Session
– Mac Traynham and Trish Fore – Blue Ridge Old-Time Fiddle and Banjo
– Chester McMillian – Old-Time Guitar
– Kyle Dean Smith – Old-Time Guitar Runs – Blue Ridge Style
– Riley Baugus and Wesley Clifton – Singing/Folksong
– Lois Hornbostel and Ehukai Teves – Playing Back Up/Chords on Mountain Dulcimer (loaners available)
- 3:45 pm – 4:45 pm
Old-Time Jam/Dance Workshop
With Mac Traynham, Riley Baugus, Chester McMillian, Kevin Fore, Trish Fore, Wesley Clifton, Kyle Dean Smith, Lois Hornbostel, and Ehukai Teves
- 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Old-Time Dance
With Mac Traynham, Kevin Fore, Wesley Clifton, Riley Baugus, Kyle Dean Smith, Chester McMillian, and Trish Fore as M.C.
Friday, June 7, 2024
- 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Morning Session
– Mac Traynham – Blue Ridge Old-Time Fiddle
– Chester McMillian and Wesley Clifton – Old-Time Guitar
– Kyle Dean Smith – Guitar Runs – Blue Ridge Style
– Riley Baugus, Kevin, and Trish Fore – Regional Style Clawhammer Banjo (Focusing on up the mountain and down the mountain regional styles)
– Lois Hornbostel – Mountain Dulcimer for Experienced Players
- 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Circle Host by Vip
With Mac Traynham, Riley Baugus, Chester McMillian, Kevin Fore, Trish Fore, Wesley Clifton, and Kyle Dean Smith
- 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Youth & Beginner Workshops
– Travis Watts – Beginner Blue Grass Banjo
– Darrius Flowers – Youth String Instruments
- 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Flatfoot Workshop
With Michael Motley accompanied by Mac Traynham, Riley Baugus, Kevin Fore, Trish Fore, Chester McMillian, Wesley Clifton, and Kyle Dean Smith
- 3:45 pm – 4:45 pm
Youth & Intermediate Workshops
– Travis Watts – Intermediate Blue Grass Banjo
– Darrius Flowers – Youth String Instruments
Presenting Workshops Sponsors:
The workshops are hosted by the Surry Arts Council and Veterans Memorial Park, Inc. and made possible through support from our Presenting Sponsor, The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources as part of their COME HEAR NC program, and additional funding from the Grassroots Grant Program of the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
Ramsey Center for Appalachian Studies
