July 3, 2021
By: Dwayne Page
The first day of the 50th Annual Smithville Fiddlers Jamboree and Crafts Festival went off as planned Friday with no delays due to weather. Not a drop of rain fell from the time the festival began at 9 a.m. until it drew to close at 11:20 p.m. The day was partly sunny and warm and the evening pleasant and comfortable.
Highlights of the day included a visit by Governor Bill Lee and his wife Maria, Congressman John Rose, among other local and state officials who spoke briefly during the Fiddlers’ Jamborees Official Welcoming Ceremony Friday evening. The Community Chorus also presented a stirring patriotic program of music and clogging from grown ups and kids alike featuring solo and ensemble performances and the release of doves after singing “Let there be peace on earth” near the end of the show.
The late Congressman Joe L. Evins and the late James G. “Bobo” Driver were two of the festival founders 50 years ago and a representative of their families were introduced on stage including Mary Overton, daughter of Congressman Evins, and Mickey Driver, son of “Bobo” Driver.
Several former Fiddlers Jamboree emcees were invited back and were on hand Friday to take part in the first day of the 50th festival including Ralph Vaughn, Bill Lee Austin, Andy Johnston, Louise Williams- Owen, Oscar Boyd, and Gayla Hendrix, along with Tom Duggin and Alex Woodward, who are the Jamboree emcees now.
During the opening ceremony, DeKalb County’s state lawmakers presented flags flown over the state capitol to Jamboree visitors who traveled the longest distances to get here.
State Senator Mark Pody presented a Tennessee State Flag to James Hayes from Memphis. Sara Nolte and Gregory Cecil of California received a state flag from Representative Terri Lynn Weaver while State Representative Clark Boyd gave a United States flag to Gunnar Salyer of Mozambique, East Africa.
The following are the Friday winners:
*Old Time Appalachian Folk Singing (Solo):
First Place-Conner Steven of Johnson City
Second Place- Jake Patty of Lexington, Kentucky
Third Place-Nathan Smith of Dunlap
*Junior Clogging (Ages 13-39):
First Place- Chris Stewart of Hern Pines, North Carolina
Second Place-Sierra Tomlin of Springfield
Third Place-Brayden Chunn of Greenbrier
*Junior Buck Dancing (Ages 13-39):
First Place- Jacob Fennell of Dickson
Second Place- Sierra Tomlin of Springfield
Third Place-Chris Stewart of Hern Pines, North Carolina
*Old Time Appalachian Folksinging (Duet, Trio, Quartet)
First Place- Jake Patty and Conner Steven of Lexington, Kentucky
Second Place-Cornelia Overton and Sarah Cripps of Smithville
Third Place-Nora Jane and Joe Overton of Joelton
*Dobro Guitar:
First Place-Robbie Harris of Rockvale
Second Place-Justin Branum of Murfreesboro
Third Place-Westin Stewart of Anderson, Alabama
*Mountain Dulcimer:
First Place-Kendra Ward of Bidwell, Ohio
Second Place-Rob Pearcy of Smyrna
Third Place-Donita Brown of Springfield
*Hammer Dulcimer:
First Place-Kendra Ward of Bidwell, Ohio
Second Place-Pam Hunt of Mansfield, Ohio
Third Place-Amelia Brown of Springfield
*Novelty Event:
First Place- Jim Owens of Deatsville, Alabama
Second Place-Two Daves and Beyond of Alexandria
Third Place-C.J. Cron of Smyrna
*Autoharp:
First Place- Logan Puryear of Hixson
Second Place-Pam Hunt of Mansfield, Ohio
Third Place-Bettye Kash of Cookeville
*Gospel Singing (Solo):
First Place-Addie Cooksey of Cedar Hill
Second Place- Jake Patty of Lexington, Kentucky
Third Place-Larry Chunn of Greenbrier
*Country Harmonica:
First Place- Rob Pearcy of Smyrna
Second Place- Jim Owens of Deatsville, Alabama
Third Place-Graham Kash of Cookeville
*Old Time Banjo:
First Place-Joe Evins Overton of Joelton
Second Place-Trenton Tater Caruthers of Cookeville
Third Place- Gunnar Salyer of Beaumont, Texas
*Youth Square Dancing:
First Place- A Step Up of Waverly
Second Place-Jackson Hollow of Franklin
Third Place- Smithville Select of Smithville
*Gospel Singing (Duet, Trio, & Quartet):
First Place-Clearview of Hillham
Second Place-Cornelia Overton and Sarah Cripps of Smithville
Third Place-Addie Cooksey and Sierra Tomlin of Cedar Hill
*Mandolin:
First Place-Jake Patty of Lexington, Kentucky
Second Place-Justin Branum of Murfreesboro
Third Place-Gunnar Salyer of Beaumont, Texas
*Old Time Fiddle Band:
First Place-Mountain Cove Old Tyme Band of Chattanooga
Second Place-Georgia Yella Cats of Lexington, Kentucky
Third Place-High Roller String Band of Joelton