Fiddling around the neighborhood


Photo By Randall Franks Fiddler Tashina Clarrige of Roslindale.

Roslindale Neighbors

The neighborhoods of Roslindale and Jamaica Plain aren’t the first places that come to mind when most people think of old-time fiddling. But, last month, two women fiddlers, one from each neighborhood, placed high in the Grand Master Fiddler Championship held in Nashville.

Tashina Clarrige of Rozzie placed second, and Kimber Ludiker of JP came in sixth out of more than 60 fiddlers who performed at the two-day 38th annual Grand Master Fiddler Championship (GMFC) event held at the International Bluegrass Music Association Fan Fest.

“This year’s event brought together some of the most talented fiddlers we have ever seen,” said Howard Harris, GMFC president. “Fiddlers came from across the US, Canada, the Czech Republic and Japan.”

Clarridge, who is a member of the group The Bee Eaters, received $1,500 and a plaque. This was her fifth consecutive second-place showing. Ludiker won $500 and a plaque.

Neither was available for comment this week.

Competitors showed their talents among some of the leading performers in acoustic music, including Mark O’Connor and his Appalachian Trio; Grand Ole Opry star Buck White with Roland White; Quebe Sisters Band; Sierra Hull and Highway 111; Alex DePue and Miguel De Hoyos; Billy Contreras; The All Star Campers and Buddy Spicher; Cathy Roberts and U.S. Streamliners; Fiddle Frenzy; Ashanti Floyd; Matt Barrett; Chris Morgan; and Matthew Davenport.

In honor of its founder, the organization presented the Dr. Perry F. Harris Award to Dolly Parton for her work in support of the traditional art of fiddling.

Actor/entertainer Randall Franks, “Officer Randy Goode” from TV’s “In the Heat of the Night,” served as celebrity host for both days of the event.

For more info, visit www.grandmasterfiddler.com.

From press materials.

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