Jamboree Visitors from Memphis, California, and Canada Presented Flags

July 6, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

Visitors from places like Memphis, California, and Canada are in town this weekend for the 53rd Annual Smithville Fiddlers Jamboree and Crafts Festival and a few of them were recognized during Friday night’s welcoming ceremony.

After the introductions of several local public officials and community leaders, Congressman John Rose’s Chief of Staff Van Hilleary, State Senator Janice Bowling, and State Representative Michael Hale presented Tennessee and United States flags to persons who came from the longest distances to get here.

On behalf of Congressman Rose, who was unable to attend the festival, Hilleary greeted Katie Rowe and Amina Deiab of Edmonton Alberta Canada. State Senator Bowling presented a flag to Jeremiah Ledda of Los Angeles California, retired from the US Navy while State Representative Hale had a flag for Roger Wolfe of Memphis.

The first day of the Fiddler’s Jamboree started after a rain delay of more than an hour Friday morning but after the weather cleared the program continued non-stop until the final awards of the day were presented at 12:30 a.m. this morning (Saturday).

The opening ceremony at 6 p.m. began with a prayer by State Representative Michael Hale and a performance of the National Anthem by a fiddler as two members of the Smithville Fire Department posted colors.

The Smithville Community Chorus later took the stage delivering a stirring patriotic performance.

Later in the evening, the Jamboree audience was treated to an hour-long performance of Cutter & Cash & The Kentucky Grass, Members of the band include Noah Goebel (reigning Smithville Jamboree Fiddle off winner) along with his sister, Lily Goebel Reigning Smithville Jamboree Old Time Appalachian Folk Singing – Solo), Brennen Cruce, Cutter Singelton, and Cash Singelton.

The preliminaries and finals were held in each of the sixteen categories of music and dance competition

The following are the Friday winners:

*Old Time Appalachian Folk Singing (Solo)- sponsored by Hywater Title:
First Place-Lily Goebel of Elkton, Kentucky
Second Place- Larry Chunn of Greenbrier
Third Place-Sarah Cripps of Smithville

*Junior Clogging (Ages 13-39)-sponsored by Hidden Harbor Marina:
First Place- Jacob Fennell of Dickson
Second Place-Gary Giles of Franklin
Third Place-Trebel Chunn of Greenbrier

*Junior Buck Dancing (Ages 13-39)-sponsored by Gammon, Drueck & Watson CPAs:
First Place- Jacob Fennell of Dickson
Second Place- Trebel Chunn of Greenbrier
Third Place-Jamie Hash of Walland

*Old Time Appalachian Folksinging (Duet, Trio, Quartet)-sponsored by Hutchins Auto Sales
First Place- Branum Twins of Rockvale
Second Place-Marshall Murphy of Knoxville

*Dobro Guitar-sponsored by Evins Mill Retreat & Resort:
First Place-Joey Gipson of Manchester
Second Place-Tyler Andal of Nashville
Third Place-Robbie Harris of Rockvale

*Mountain Dulcimer-sponsored by Fluty’s:
First Place-Tyler Andal of Nashville
Second Place-Rob Pearcy of Smyrna
Third Place-Eric Cameron of Adairville, Kentucky

*Hammer Dulcimer- sponsored by Kilgore’s Restaurant:
First Place-Nicole Tressler of Madison, Alabama
Second Place-Lisa Tressler of Madison, Alabama

*Novelty Event-sponsored by Center Hill Realty:
First Place- Steve Holladay of Holladay, Tennessee
Second Place-The Tiny Rice Unit of Rockvale
Third Place-Two Dave’s & Two Tall of Brush Creek

*Autoharp-sponsored by The Purple Door:
First Place- Bill Rothe of Estill Springs
Second Place-Pamela Sanders of Sparta
Third Place-Evie Waddell of Madison, Alabama

*Gospel Singing (Solo)-sponsored by DeKalb County Florist:
First Place-Lily Goebel of Elkton, Kentucky
Second Place- Larry Chunn of Greenbrier
Third Place-Angelica Branum of Murfreesboro

*Country Harmonica-sponsored by Hohner Harmonica:
First Place- Terry Bartlett of Gallatin
Second Place- Rob Pearcy of Smyrna
Third Place-Tyler Martelli of Chattanooga

*Old Time Banjo-sponsored by Hyundai of Cookeville:
First Place-Tyler Andal of Nashville
Second Place-Daniel Rothwell of Smyrna
Third Place- Conner Derryberry of Shelbyville

*Youth Square Dancing- sponsored by Ranger Brake:
First Place- Tennessee Rhythm of Greenbrier
Second Place-DeKalb Dancin’ Delights of Smithville
Third Place- Harpeth River of Franklin

*Gospel Singing (Duet, Trio, & Quartet)-sponsored by State Representative Michael Hale:
First Place-Branum Twins of Rockvale
Second Place-The Mooneyham Family of Spencer
Third Place-Bowman & Ealey of Cookeville

*Mandolin- sponsored by DeKalb Title:
First Place-Tyler Andal of Nashville
Second Place-Noah Goebel of Elkton, Kentucky
Third Place- Rob Pearcy of Smyrna

*Old Time Fiddle Band- sponsored by the Tennessee Entertainment Commission:
First Place-The Slim Chance Band of Smyrna
Second Place-The Clarence Carter Family of Rockvale
Third Place- Muddy Branch Layabouts of Manchester

For more about the Fiddlers’ Jamboree including the weekend events from the festival click the links below

http://smithvillejamboree.com/

http://smithvillejamboree.com/scheduleEvents.html

July 5, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

Ready to Jam?

The Smithville Fiddlers Jamboree and Crafts Festival begins today marking the 53rd year for one of Tennessee’s most favorite summer events. Thousands are expected to brave the heat and possible rain to take in all the sights and sounds of the music and dancing featured on stage as well as the shade tree picking around the courthouse lawn. For craft lovers, there will also be plenty to experience as streets surrounding the public square will be lined with booths displaying lots of handmade crafts. Of course, you won’t go hungry either as several food booths are set up on both the north and south sides of the square.

The Community Chorus headlined a Jamboree celebration kick-off patriotic program Thursday evening at Evins Park downtown joined by five-square dance teams, Smithville Select, DeKalb Dancin’ Delights, Center Hill Hoedown, Ragland Bottom Roundup, and Caney Fork Circle Eights led by Mary Ann Puckett.

Today’s program kicks off at 9 a.m. and will continue non-stop, except for any rain delays, until the winners in today’s categories are decided. The community chorus will be featured on stage during the festival’s welcoming ceremonies around 6 p.m. following remarks by local and state dignitaries.

WJLE AM 1480/FM 101.7 will have LIVE radio coverage from the stage all day today and Saturday starting at 9 a.m. and TV viewers can watch on several DTC platforms

For more about the Fiddlers’ Jamboree including the weekend events from the festival click the links below

http://smithvillejamboree.com/

http://smithvillejamboree.com/scheduleEvents.html

July 4, 2024
By:

Smithville Select, two-time and reigning Youth Square Dance Champions at the Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree who recently made an appearance on the Grand Ole Opry, have been on a long journey in old-time dance leading up to their success in recent years. Two of the current-day members began learning to clog back in 2013 and competed with their first square dance team in 2015, but 7 years would pass before their team began to win any awards. Their story is that of “overnight” successes rarely being overnight.

Current Smithville Select members include Tess Barton, Carleigh Beckham, Izayah Dowell, Sylvia Evans, Katherine Gassaway, Kathryn Hale, Darrah Ramsey (caller), and Lillie Grace Young. The team is led by DeKalb County native and Smithville Jamboree super fan Mary Ann Puckett.

Tess Barton, Kathryn Hale, Katherine Gassaway, and Lillie Grace Young were inaugural members of this group from its first time competing at the Fiddlers’ Jamboree nine years ago in 2015 (under the name “Smithville Sugar Squares”). The group also danced under the name “Smithville Stompers” for a few years and added Sylvia Evans in the early years. Darrah Ramsey and Izayah Dowell joined the team for the 2019 season, and in 2021, the group settled on the name “Smithville Select.” That same year (2021), the team, wearing their coral and white costumes, placed third in the Jamboree marking the first time they had made the top three. Carleigh Beckham joined the group in 2022, and this exact group is in its third season together, having won first place at the Jamboree in 2022 and 2023. They have also received awards at the Wilson County / Tennessee State Fair as well as the Robert Spicer Tennessee State Buck-Dance Championship in Dickson, Tennessee.

When asked about this group, team leader Mary Ann Puckett enthusiastically noted, “This team is really special. They’ve worked so hard to get to this point and are always looking to improve, never satisfied with what they’ve done before. And they know how to make hard work fun!”

Puckett continued, “Select is made up of true go-getters. On this team of dancers, we have kids involved in so many different activities besides old-time dance. They play school basketball, softball, soccer, and tennis. They are football and basketball cheerleaders, pianists, public speakers, scholars, and many are involved in their churches. Some of them hold jobs. One is even involved with the University of Tennessee rowing team. This year’s DCHS Salutatorian Kathryn Hale is on this team, and Tess Barton ranked 11th in the DCHS Class of 2024. This is an outstanding group of young people.”

She concluded by saying, “These kids aren’t afraid to put themselves out there and give their best shot at trying things even when they don’t know all the answers. They know the importance of showing up again and again, and that dedication has been paramount to their success. One of my favorite quotes is, “It’s hard to beat someone who never gives up.” Select just kept coming back year after year, and it paid off!”

Puckett is thrilled to see her dancers receive some recognition and says she feels so lucky to have had the chance to work with these young people. “My time with Select will always be near to my heart no matter the future of this group. They have paved the way for a thriving old-time dance program in DeKalb County and have shown us what’s possible in the small world of competitive square dance, all the while bringing tremendous joy and pride to their families and our community.”

This year, Smithville Select will make their debut in the Jamboree’s Adult Square Dance competition later in the day on Saturday. Come downtown and see them.

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