You Can be a FiddleStar

I post things about fiddling. And how we can all be better at it.

Have you been wondering what was missing from your life? Did it cross your mind that it might be a beautiful tune in ¾ time? I’m here to help. Here’s the lovely Paris Waltz, a Howdy Forrester tune, I believe, or at least he played the hell out of it if he didn’t actually write it. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t give a shout-out to Leo Hickman for turning me on to this beautiful melody. That first move from B to Bb is money. Full version will be up on my YouTube channel shortly. #waltz #paris #iwanttowaltzinparis #leohickman #waltzes #fiddlestar #fiddle (at Fiddlestar)

Posted 337 weeks ago

It would take more paragraphs than IG will allow to express how much I adore @doumar1269 and how grateful I am to have been able to watch him grow up to the fine man he is today. He started coming to FiddleStar Youth Camp years ago, back when people still called him David. A day or two into that first camp (of five in a row he attended) Daniel Carwile christened him “Camo” and he was forever one of our favorite people. Remind me to tell you about the time he changed out my alternator belt instead of going swimming with the other kids. To get to witness him propose to this lovely lady (she did say yes, btw) on stage at the TN Valley Fiddlers Convention was just the very best thing. I wish them all the happiness in the world. #camo #athens #thebestprizeofall (at Athens State University)

Posted 337 weeks ago
<p>The best thing about a long day of judging is occasionally running in to beautiful and talented friends. (I’m not judging their division so don’t worry about my evident bias.) #athens #fiddlersconvention #fiddlechicks  (at Athens State University)</p>

The best thing about a long day of judging is occasionally running in to beautiful and talented friends. (I’m not judging their division so don’t worry about my evident bias.) #athens #fiddlersconvention #fiddlechicks (at Athens State University)

Posted 337 weeks ago
<p>Mailman brought the fun stuff today. #nashvilleflatpickcamp is coming soon and the @daddarioandco strings and tuners are in the house! #flatpick #guitar #daddario #ourcampsareaponsoredbythebest #nashvilleacousticcamps  (at Fiddlestar)</p>

Mailman brought the fun stuff today. #nashvilleflatpickcamp is coming soon and the @daddarioandco strings and tuners are in the house! #flatpick #guitar #daddario #ourcampsareaponsoredbythebest #nashvilleacousticcamps (at Fiddlestar)

Posted 337 weeks ago
<p>#tbt to a land far away where my mom made pies and liked dogs. Her #maryhartmanmaryhartman apron was giving you some clue to her real personality and also, who let me ride my bike in the house? #poorparenting #raggedyann  (at East Bay)</p>

#tbt to a land far away where my mom made pies and liked dogs. Her #maryhartmanmaryhartman apron was giving you some clue to her real personality and also, who let me ride my bike in the house? #poorparenting #raggedyann (at East Bay)

Posted 338 weeks ago
<p>Hard to decide which moment at #wob2017 was my favorite but this one certainly ranks right near the top. Ways you know you’re amongst your people: 1) Sparkles and sequins 2) surprise birthday cake with a picture of StuBob’s face 3) bluegrass pride 4) celebrating the birthday of one of the loveliest and most talented people you know, at 2am, which makes perfect sense at the time #stuartduncancakeforthewin #ibma #girlkeys #ibmyay #ibmawakening  (at Raleigh Marriott City Center)</p>

Hard to decide which moment at #wob2017 was my favorite but this one certainly ranks right near the top. Ways you know you’re amongst your people: 1) Sparkles and sequins 2) surprise birthday cake with a picture of StuBob’s face 3) bluegrass pride 4) celebrating the birthday of one of the loveliest and most talented people you know, at 2am, which makes perfect sense at the time #stuartduncancakeforthewin #ibma #girlkeys #ibmyay #ibmawakening (at Raleigh Marriott City Center)

Posted 338 weeks ago
<p>Well, registration for #nashvillemandolincamp opened an hour ago and now there are only five spots left. I just thought you should know… <a href="http://www.nashvillemandolincamp.com">www.nashvillemandolincamp.com</a> and these teachers are really nice. Super, super nice. Everyone says so. #mandolin #bluegrass #swing #nashville  (at Fiddlestar)</p>

Well, registration for #nashvillemandolincamp opened an hour ago and now there are only five spots left. I just thought you should know… www.nashvillemandolincamp.com and these teachers are really nice. Super, super nice. Everyone says so. #mandolin #bluegrass #swing #nashville (at Fiddlestar)

Posted 338 weeks ago
<p>Years ago, a certain bluegrass musician told me that women weren’t all that good for bluegrass in general and if anything, that they were mostly useful for singing high baritone parts. Well, I’d listen to an album of any one of these women literally just singing high baritone. But I think we all know it would be much, much more… #girlkeys #chicksingers #womeninbluegrassshouldjustbecalledbluegrass #wob2017  (at Raleigh Marriott City Center)</p>

Years ago, a certain bluegrass musician told me that women weren’t all that good for bluegrass in general and if anything, that they were mostly useful for singing high baritone parts. Well, I’d listen to an album of any one of these women literally just singing high baritone. But I think we all know it would be much, much more… #girlkeys #chicksingers #womeninbluegrassshouldjustbecalledbluegrass #wob2017 (at Raleigh Marriott City Center)

Posted 338 weeks ago
<p>Last night was a bluegrass emotional roller coaster and having these two precious people by my side made it worth the ride. They are the very definition of friendship. On a similar topic, much love to @molly_tuttle and @patrickmcavinue for their wins at the award show and @hiltnerj for his win at life. We came, we sparkled, we conquered. #wob2017 #ibma #friendsaremoreimportantthanbluegrass  (at Raleigh Convention Center)</p>

Last night was a bluegrass emotional roller coaster and having these two precious people by my side made it worth the ride. They are the very definition of friendship. On a similar topic, much love to @molly_tuttle and @patrickmcavinue for their wins at the award show and @hiltnerj for his win at life. We came, we sparkled, we conquered. #wob2017 #ibma #friendsaremoreimportantthanbluegrass (at Raleigh Convention Center)

Posted 338 weeks ago
<p>One of the best things going on at #wob2017 is the youth jam room. I mean, isn’t that the idea? Grow some new bluegrass and old time music lovers so that the music can continue to evolve through the filters of these amazing young minds? Well, I think it’s the idea. Mad props to @ivyphillipsfiddle for booking special guests like @specialconsensus in that jam room and @deanier for being the kickass role model they all need. #ibma #bluegrass #payitforward #kob  (at Raleigh Convention Center)</p>

One of the best things going on at #wob2017 is the youth jam room. I mean, isn’t that the idea? Grow some new bluegrass and old time music lovers so that the music can continue to evolve through the filters of these amazing young minds? Well, I think it’s the idea. Mad props to @ivyphillipsfiddle for booking special guests like @specialconsensus in that jam room and @deanier for being the kickass role model they all need. #ibma #bluegrass #payitforward #kob (at Raleigh Convention Center)

Posted 339 weeks ago

 1/25/13
I am excited to embark on a new chapter of my working life - I recently gave my notice to the Pam Tillis organization and will no longer be touring with her or Lorrie Morgan (on their awesome Grits and Glamour Tour). I must admit, I'm sad to be leaving. It's been an incredible four years and I have learned so much. Thanks to Pam, her amazing husband/manager Matt Spicher, and my bandmates, especially the lovely and talented Mary Sue Englund, with whom I spent more time over the last few years than I did with my husband. And I wouldn't trade a minute of it...