The Galax Old Fiddlers’ Convention
It is perhaps the longest-running and most successful fund-raising project in the Moose realm. It is also one of the largest and most popular traditional music attraction in North America. “It” is the Old Fiddlers’ Convention sponsored by the Galax Moose Lodge #733.
Begun in 1935, the Fiddlers’ Convention is held every August at Felts Park in Galax, Virginia, in the heart of mountain music country and the very place where country music got its start.
It was in a barbershop in downtown Galax where in 1924 a group of musicians organized a vocal quartet with string instruments. That group, which took the name “The Hill Billies,” recorded some of its music and eventually went to New York to do professional recording. That was the first major commercial success in what was to become “country music” and “hillbilly” music was named for it. Due to that significant milestone, the city of Galax rightfully bills itself as “The World’s Capital of Old Time Mountain Music.” It is only fitting that one of the biggest annual traditional music event in America takes place only a long stone’s throw from that downtown barbershop.
The Old Fiddlers’ Convention was originated in the spring of 1935 when a few members of the then-new Moose Lodge #733 needed something to raise funds and promote publicity. In a newspaper item at the time, it was stated that the Convention was dedicated to “keeping alive the memories and sentiments of days gone by and make it possible for people of today to hear and enjoy the tunes of yesterday.”
Before the second weekend in August each year, lovers of country and mountain music leave their homes in time to be in Galax for the annual Convention. For some this means hundreds of miles of travel while for others it will be a short trip from their nearby homes. Most of these people do not play music but come just for listening and renewing old acquaintances. However, a few hundred come with their instruments to show their skill and compete for the cash prizes which total thousands of dollars. But most of them would come without the prizes being offered. They want to see and be seen and hear and be heard. The instruments vary from mouth harps in pockets to bull fiddles strapped on top of cars. Some well-known entertainers have competed in or attended the Convention over the years including Janette Carter, Doc Watson, Albert Hash, Roni Stoneman and Ricky Skaggs.
The success of the Convention is probably “because we are trying to keep alive the traditional and old-time music,” according to 93-year-old Oscar Hall, a Moose officer and one of the driving forces of the event, having served at the program as a Master-of-all-Trades for 56 years. “It’s not this modern bluegrass music. It’s the same music Bill Monroe started.”
Two conventions were held in 1935, but by the last one that fall, the Galax High School auditorium was no longer large enough and the Convention was moved to Felts Park. It has been held there each year since then except when weather forced it indoors temporarily. One Convention was omitted during World War II due to limitations of travel. The 2020 Convention was cancelled due to the Covid-19 global pandemic, but members are hoping and planning for the 85th annual renewal to go on this year, from August 9-14.
In 1965, a Saturday afternoon program was started to relieve the pressure on Saturday night. In 1967, NBC-TV covered the entire three nights and Saturday afternoon. A few years ago, a Wednesday night performance was added. In 1999, Tuesday night competition was added.
With the advent of a new program called JAM—Junior Appalachian Musicians, Inc.—in 2000, a youth competition was started that year, which added Monday to the schedule and made it a big six-day event. This has become one of the most popular attractions of the Convention.
“One of the missions of the Old Fiddlers’ Convention is to keep alive the tradition of the old-time music,” Hall said, “and one of the really nice things about it is you see all these young kids going out and doing the flatfooting and playing music, so it is serving its purpose of keeping the tradition alive.”
“This is Americana. This is America at its best. This is what music is all about. Music keeps America moving and music makes people happy, and it’s safe to say our musical heritage is in good hands for years to come.”
Another unique aspect of the Convention is the camping area where the musicians rehearse and try to get in tune. Some listeners and onlookers follow these bands around and lose contact with what is happening on the stage. Often, dancers and players try out their abilities in the parking lot while they would not dare go on the stage.
Contestants must register in advance of the convention and there is no charge for registration. Some of these come from distant states and at times from foreign countries, but when they play, the tunes are usually the same that have been heard at the Convention down through the years.
In fact, the grand prize “Best in Show” winner at the latest Convention, held in 2019, came from Norway. Other countries represented included Nepal, Australia, England, The Netherlands, Argentina, Japan, Scotland and Chile while nearly every state in the U.S. sent contestants and fans to the tiny Virginia city in the mountains. Approximately 1,200 musicians were registered.
The Old Fiddlers’ Convention has received tributes from many sources. President Ronald Reagan in 1985 sent a congratulatory letter to the Galax Moose Lodge in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Convention. “I can’t help feeling envy for all you folks feasting on the sound of mountain ballads and basking in the warmth of mountain hospitality,” the President wrote. “When you hear the sweet music left by our ancestors, you know that tradition is the best of their achievements, their loving legacy to us. So let the mountains ring!”
In 1988, the Convention was recognized by the Southeast Tourism Society, which covers nine states, as one of the “Top Twenty Events in the Southeast.” The Old Fiddlers’ Convention sponsored by Moose Lodge #733 in Galax, in the heart of Virginia’s mountain region is an American tradition in itself.
