Oregon State Championship Fiddle Contest - Honoring the Winners from 1961 - 2025

This video documents and honors winners of the Oregon State Fiddle Championship in the contests held from 1961 - 2025. Data from 1961-1999 was compiled by Lew Holt, OOTFA historian. A newspaper article found by Joe Ross in the Salem Capital Journal (dated September 10, 1949) indicates that Ray Mack won a contest in 1949 that "adjudged him as the fiddle champion of the northwest" and that it was the third year of the contest so one could surmise that it started in 1947. The oldest newspaper reference to an Oregon fiddle contest was found in a July 14, 1911 issue of the La Grande Evening Observer about one being held during the Cherry Show at Cove (north end of the valley) that year. Over the years, our winners have included Ray Mack, Bill Yohey, Rusty Modrell, Jerry White, Harold Allen, Don Gish, John Melnichuk, Carol Ann Wheeler, Loretta Brank, Hollis Taylor, Joey McKenzie, Rudi Booher, Justin Booher, Casey Willis, Hanneke Cassel, Meriwyn Booher, Gary Schuh, Jacie Penner Sites, Andy Shelton, Andy Emert, Alex Hargreaves, Tatiana Hargreaves, Miya Saito-Beckman, Aarun Carter, Tabitha Gholi, Doug Fleener, Tashina Lindley. Some won multiple times, as indicated in the video. Two additional videos now on You Tube entitled “Oregon Old-Time Fiddling: A History” (in two parts) emphasizes the dynamic interplay of regional diversity, cultural exchange, and modernization in shaping Oregon's fiddling tradition. Based on scrapbook and other archival material (largely collected by Lew Holt, Joe Ross, Linda Danielson and others), a number of topics are emphasized. The videos explore the cultural, historical, and social dynamics that have shaped Oregon's fiddling traditions. They highlight how immigration patterns, regional influences, and evolving social practices have contributed to the development of a unique, yet increasingly homogenized, fiddling style in Oregon. Oregon’s fiddle history underscores the role of organizations like Oregon Oldtime Fiddlers’ Association in fostering community, preserving traditions, and adapting to modern influences. Additionally, the videos shed light on the broader American fiddling tradition, illustrating how regional styles and individual contributions have blended over time, reflecting the interconnectedness of cultural heritage and the impact of societal changes. The info is valuable for understanding the evolution of folk music, preservation of cultural identity, and ways in which communities adapt to change while maintaining ties to their past. Oregon Old-Time Fiddlers Association (OOTFA) formed in 1964. The non-profit organization has significantly influenced fiddling in Oregon by fostering community, preserving tunes, encouraging interaction among fiddlers from diverse backgrounds, and preserving old-time styles while adapting to modern influences. The non-profit’s purpose is “to promote, preserve, and perpetuate Old Time Fiddling and Old Time music. To encourage everyone, especially young people, to play the fiddle and other acoustic instruments and appreciate Old Time Fiddling and Old Time Music.” Topics for further exploration include: main cultural influences on Oregon fiddling influence of migration on Oregon fiddling homogenization of styles difference between fiddle music and violin music where and when do fiddlers gather in Oregon characteristics of Oregon fiddling styles emergence of a Northwest style evolution of fiddling in Oregon efforts to preserve fiddling traditions notable stories and individuals in Oregon fiddling role of family in fiddling traditions significance of fiddling in Oregon's culture role of Oregon Oldtime Fiddlers’ Associaiton oral histories and stories For more info, go to www.ootfa.org or consult these two articles: Danielson, Linda. 1977. “Fiddling” in Oregon Folklore, compiled by Suzy Jones, ed. The University of Oregon and Oregon Arts Commission, Eugene, Oregon. 1977 Danielson, Linda L. Oregon Fiddling: The Missouri Connection. From Missouri Folklore Society Journal, Special Issue: Fiddling in Missouri, Vols. 13-14, 1991-1992. pp. 81 – 100. Videos compiled by Joe Ross, Zephyr Productions, Roseburg, Oregon. Info: cell/text 541-670-9120; landline 541-673-9759; email rossjoe@hotmail.com