FiddleStar

Happy Pride Month, my friends. This is a Prince quote that I found on an overpass in East Nashville. It says, “A strong spirit transcends rules”. I’m not sure if I agree with it. Certainly, cultivating a strong spirit is a worthy goal. But sometimes rules are necessary to quell the worst nature of mankind. Additionally, Prince was, to be sure, a Jehovah’s Witness. And most likely, a drug addict. Both of which are lifestyles with which I disagree wholeheartedly. Therefore, at best, this quote and the man who said it are problematic for me. But that’s the thing. On this beautiful day while many are celebrating the (relatively) new freedom to express their pride in who they are, how they identify, and every difficult and beautiful thing surrounding that journey, I wish for everyone to question themselves, their overpass quotes, their musical heroes, their leaders, and to do so with love and compassion. #pride #prince #lovewins #pridemonth #nashville (at East Nashville, With Love)

In honor of the last day of the National Fiddle Championships, I thought I’d post what I believe to be the most popular contest waltz of 2015/2016/2017 and probably the next three years at least, the way things are looking. It’s the Rose of Avonmore, folks, and even though I’ve heard it 803 times in the last few years, I still love it. I learned it from the legendary Junior Daugherty when I was about eight years old. #fiddle #weiser17 #fiddlecontest #waltz (at Fiddlestar)

Everyone says we’re starting to look alike. #weiser17 #motherdaughterroadtrip #matchingoutfits #werebothblind #westernflyers #swingdance #shetaughtmetolead #latergram (at Slocum Hall)

This place has everything you need - flautas, carne asada, monster trucks, mariachis. Here, we have one of the upsides to the New Nashville. #plazamariachi #nashville #eltoroloco #pedaltavernsarethedevil (at Plaza Mariachi Music City)

It has everything you need - flautas, carne asada, monster trucks. The epic Nashville growth is yielding some excellent additions to the culinary scene. And to the monster truck scene. #plazamariachi #eltoroloco #nashville #fastestgrowingcity @ashbyfrank (at Plaza Mariachi Music City)

#tbt to #weiser17 skies. Glad to be home but already missing everyone in my #fiddlefamily Good luck to all my dear ones who are still competing and a great big “hang in there” to those who are still judging. It ain’t an easy gig but I respect how hard you work to honor the contestants and their efforts. #fiddle #fiddlecontest #idahoskies (at Weiser High School)

Well, this was fun. (And by “fun” I mean “unbelievably awesome rhythm section made up of some of my favorite people in the world which inspired me to play tunes for almost three hours at the McMullens’ who are, of course, the most hospitable people you will ever meet”.) #weiser17 #fiddle #fiddlecontest #texasstyle #iplayedonepolka #besthatever #notpicturedfleenerbutheplayedguitartooandwasamazing (at Weiser High School)

Excellent times with this year’s National Junior Junior Fiddle Champion, (and a couple previous national champions, while we’re at it) the awesome Grace Partridge. #weiser17 #fiddle #fiddlecontest #hooligans #nationalchampion (at Weiser High School)

Well, this is probably all you need to know about #texasstyle fiddling. #gibsonj45 #gibson #fiddle #weiser17 #fiddlecontest (at Weiser High School)

These beautiful girls… so proud of them in the improv workshop this afternoon! And thanks to everyone who tuned on IG Live. I’ll be doing some more of those things because @rossholmesfiddle is my hero and I do everything he does. #fiddle #weiser17 #fiddlecontest #improv #swing (at Weiser High School)