2020 Virtual Jamboree Crowns Grand Champion Fiddler

July 1, 2020
By: Shan Stout

The Grand Champion Fiddler of the 2020 Virtual Jamboree is Justin Branum of Murfreesboro.

For his performance via social media, Branum has won the Berry C. Williams Memorial Grand Champion Fiddler Award, the top prize given each year by the Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree & Crafts Festival. Branum was also the Junior Fiddling Champion.

Meanwhile the Beginner Fiddling Title goes to Noah Goebel of Elkton, Kentucky and he gets the James G. “Bobo” Driver National Award for Country Musician Beginners

The Virtual Jamboree 2020 showcased a very competitive group of dancers and musicians in clogging and fiddle categories, with judges deliberating for two days before declaring the champions in each of 10 music and dance categories, along with a few new accolades:

Instead of the traditional LIVE event, the Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree & Crafts Festival this year chose to host a Virtual Jamboree via social media due to barriers related to Covid-19 concerning live events, and the challenges of social distancing. The Jamboree is one of many festivals across the nation that have been forced to cancel in recent months, but one of the only festivals to develop a virtual platform for contestants. The online competition, however, seems to be an overwhelming success, receiving praise from musicians and dancers that have had nowhere to perform or compete. The winners of the Virtual Competition were from as far away as California, and due to the addition of special needs teens and adults competing via social media, the Jamboree Board voted to add new ‘inclusive’ categories and awards for contestants with neurodivergent or physical disabilities.

“When the entries started coming in from these amazing contestants with special needs, we immediately called a board meeting to see how we could best support them. After a unanimous vote to open up new inclusive dance and music categories, we consulted with the coach of a special needs clogging group, and parents of these contestants to make sure that we acknowledged their talents and abilities in a way that they felt most comfortable. Thus, the Inclusive Bluegrass Dance & Music Awards were born.” said Shan Stout, Director of Marketing for the Jamboree, “Even though we were extremely disappointed to not have the live festival for 2020, it is opportunities like this that make us see the silver lining that can come out of unusual challenges. We look forward to seeing these inclusive categories for children, teens, and adults with special needs grow year after year, and are looking for ways to make next year’s festival more accessible to those with physical or mental challenges of any kind. The Jamboree is a happy place where we want everyone to feel welcome, and at home.”

Virtual Jamboree winners are as follows:

Youngest Clogger: Bay Smith – Crossville, TN
Beginner Clogging – Aaliyah Flynn – Waverly, TN
Junior Clogging – Grayson Long – Elkton, VA
Senior Clogging – Michael Motley – Lynchburg, VA

Inclusive Bluegrass Dance Awards:
Best Female – Kate Williams – Yorba Linda, CA
Best Male – Zachary Hughes – Westminster, CA

Youngest Fiddlers – Isley & Sawyer Dietrich – Arizona
Beginner Fiddle – Noah Goebel – Elkton, KY (James G. “Bobo” Driver National Award for Country Musician Beginners)
Junior Fiddle – Justin Branum – Murfreesboro, TN
Senior Fiddle – Billy Brewer – Lyles, TN
Contest Fiddle – John-Mark Sowell – Knoxville, TN
Grand Champion Fiddler – Justin Branum – Murfreesboro, TN (Berry C. Williams Memorial Grand Champion Fiddler Award)

The special feature broadcast featuring the Smithville Fiddlers’ Virtual Jamboree Champions, along with other contestant cameos and highlights, will air on Saturday, July 4th at 5pm & 11pm (Central) on WCTE-PBS. DTC3 will be airing it at the same times on Saturday, July 4th at 5 p.m. & 11 p.m. and it will be shown again on Sunday, July 5th at 1:30 p.m. & 7 p.m. The program will also be featured on the Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree FaceBook page at a later date. The Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree would like to personally invite your to next year’s 50th Annual Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree & Crafts Festival entitled, “The Jamboree Family Reunion” on July 2nd & 3rd, 2021 on the courthouse square in Smithville, Tennessee.

June 30, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Members of the Governor’s Task Force on Marijuana Eradication conducted a helicopter flyover of DeKalb County two weeks ago and found several patches.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said around 400 plants were found and seized during the operation.

During the first day of the flyover on Tuesday, June 16 marijuana patches were found off Jefferson Road, Seven Springs Road, and Lakeview Drive off Highway 56 North. The following day, Wednesday June 17 marijuana was also spotted from the flyover near Goose Creek.

No arrests have yet been made.

“We are actively investigating these cases to determine if we can charge anyone,” said Sheriff Ray.

Founded in 1983, the Governor’s Task Force on Marijuana Eradication (GTFME) is a partnership between TBI, the Tennessee Highway Patrol, and the Tennessee National Guard. Throughout the year, the Task Force seeks out marijuana grow operations and arrests individuals who knowingly participate in this illegal activity.

June 30, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Maddie Denton of Murfreesboro claimed another Grand Champion Fiddling Title at the 47th annual Smithville Fiddlers Jamboree and Crafts Festival in 2018. Her third since 2012.

Maddie is the focus of today’s WJLE Fiddlers Jamboree “Special Moments” series this week.

Denton, who won the Junior Fiddling contest that year, beat out the Senior Fiddling Champion Gail Johnson of Lavergne in the showdown for the Berry C. Williams Memorial Award.

Maddie first won the title in 2012 and again in 2014, beating out her mother, Marcia Denton both times. Maddie is also a past fiddling winner in the National Championship for Country Musician Beginners at the Jamboree.

(View a portion of her Fiddle-Off performance here)

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