A few weeks later, I entered my first fiddle contest – the 2nd Annual Washington State Oldtime Fiddle Contest. After practicing almost non-stop since Weiser, and even though I had never competed, I guess I was ready. My first contest. My first win. A $15 check and a tiny little trophy. I became the new Washington State Junior Champion, a boy smitten with fiddling. I was 12 years old.

Over the next few years, in addition to local, state, and regional contest successes, my most significant accomplishments were my three National Junior Champion titles at Weiser in 1970, 1971, and 1972. In 1972, I graduated from High School. The summer after graduating I recorded the first of my fiddle albums – “Three Time Winner”.

Continued >>