The 43rd Annual Fiddlers’ Festival (this year also the 10th Annual GVAA Art Festival) is Sunday, October 12 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Chris and David are teaching banjo and fiddle workshops (respectively) at 11 a.m. The festival is always a great time with lots of jamming, performances and of course the annual instrumental and singing contest.
Come by a workshop or jam and wish Chris a happy birthday!
October means it’ll soon be time for the Goleta Old-Time Fiddlers’ Convention and Festival, always a great time with lots of jamming, great performances and of course the annual instrumental and singing contest. The festival is Sunday, Oct. 13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sausage Grinder will be playing from 11 a.m. to noon on the main stage, and Chris and David will be teaching banjo and fiddle workshops (times to be announced).
Other acts include Rafe & Clelia Stefanini, Hay Dudes with Dennis Caplinger, The Brothers Comatose and more. For more info on the festival visit their website.
Hope to see you on the 13th!
Sausage Grinder will be playing a square dance at this year’s 40th Annual Old-Time Fiddlers’ Convention in Goleta, CA on Sunday, October 9. The festival starts at 10, the dance is around noon, and David and Chris will once again teach fiddle and banjo workshops later in the afternoon. And we’ll be hanging out and playing all day so come say hello.
This is one of the premier old-time events in Southern California (well, Southern-ish) – don’t miss it. There’s a great line up this year including Laurie Lewis, Eric and Suzy Thompson, Peter Feldmann and more, plus of course the contest. You can read more at the convention website or like their Facebook page.
Here’s some footage of the Grinder from last year jamming with Steve James, plus a bonus track of Chris on the contest stage with our friend Jennifer Fitzpatrick playing a little Memphis Minnie. See you there!
Here’s (finally) the video version of the banjo lesson I promised at the Goleta Old-Time Fiddler’s Convention. The tune is Marching Jaybird; you can buy the original (and I highly recommend this album — Instrumental Music of the Southern Appalachians) here. Hope you enjoy the lesson, and if you don’t play banjo, if you watch a minute or so you’ll get to hear the tune.
Here’s a little jam we had with Steve James (far left) at the National Guitar Booth at the Goleta Old Time Fiddlers’ Convention last month. A slow and sweetly melodious version of Stuff Smith’s “If You’se a Viper”. (Washboard Margie n’ lil’ Forrest got cut off the right side, sadly.)
Be sure not to miss the Goleta Old Time Fiddlers’ Convention this Sunday. David and Chris will be teaching fiddle and banjo workshops and you can hear performances by our good friends Triple Chicken Foot, the Foghorn Trio, and excellent blues guitar/mandolin guy Steve James. Plus other performances, more workshops and of course the chance to win a prize playing the instrument of your choice.
The Grinder isn’t playing an official set this year, but we shouldn’t be too hard to find jamming and having a good time, so come to the festival and stop by to say hello. More info on the festival below.
