Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1927-06-23
FIDDLERS' CONVENTION
SUCCESSFUL AFFAIR

DeSplle lHe STEADY dOWnpOur OIL
rain throughout Watauga Friday and
Saturday and the consequently al
most impossible condition of some of
the cross-country roads, large crowds
were in attendance at the fiddlers'
convention given by the American
Legion and about rs musicians and
dancers played to practically ca
pacity houses both at the Pastime
theater and the courthouse on both
nights. The renditons were varied,
Old-time and modern and the au-
diences joined heartily in the genuine
spirit of good fellowship characters
tic of the days Of yesteryear.
The American Legion received a
little more than seven hundred dol
lars from the entertainments, which
when expenses are paid, will be ap-
piled to the cost of the Fourth of
July celebration. One hundred and
forty dollars were given in cash
prizes and progressive business men
of the city donated special prizes,
consisting of useful merchandise.
The Winners
The major prize, $50, to the band
coming the longest distance also a
tank of gasoline donated by the Tay-
lor Motor Company, were won by the
Mooresville musicians, who proved to
be one of the best drawing cards of
the occasion. The Appalachian band,
made up mostly of Boone folks, won
the $40 offered as second, while third
and fourth prizes of $40 and s. were
awarded Cook and Campbell bands,
respectively.
Mr.. Alderman, violinist of the ia
nous "Hill Billies," Keith vaudeville
players, was one of the stars of the
bill, winning first money in the fid-
dlers' contest. He came without cost
to the Legion, after failure to come
to terms with his organization. He
brought with him a miniature guitar
player, about ten years old, who
dressed in spotless sailorman garb
and labelled Spark Plug" rivalled
the older heads with his selections.
Not satisfied altogether with his solo
parts, Sparky got busy and gathered
up a few other musicians, forming
Spark Plugs Jazz Band" The popu-
larity Of this company was best shown
by the numerous encores. But, to
get back to the first of the para
graph, Mr.. Ed Williams of Moores-
vile and Carter Farthing of Watau-
ga, won second and third prizes in
the fiddlers' contest. Spark Plug
took first cash with his guitar, $40,
while F. P. Wilson and Edna Ward
received IS and 50, respectively. The
banjoists were Clarence Greene,
Ralph Story and Nile Cook, who re-
ceived prizes of IS, SO and 81 in the
order named.
Miss Nell Smith of Boone won S.
as the best Charleston dancer, Miss
Ora Isaacs being the recipient of the
50 offered as second prize. Richard
Norris and Miss Ollie Jean Coffey
were adjudged the best buck dancers.
Burkett & Norris gave So shirt
to the ugliest musician, Amos Ward
being the claimant. J. C. Mcconnell
gave pair of silk suspenders to the
oldest buck dancer. Hard Thomas was
the ancient one. Miss Edna Ward
won from L. S. Isaacs pair of silk
hose as the best lady guitar player.
Spark Plug won handsome tie as
the youngest contestant at the hands
of EggersAshley Co.
The contestants for the prizes
consisted of 13 bands, 10 guitar play
ers, 10 fiddlers, seven banjoists, seven
buck dancers and five Charleston
dancers. Many musicians did not
compete.