July 4, 2021
By: Dwayne Page
Justin Branum has claimed the Grand Champion Fiddling Title at the 50th edition of the Smithville Fiddlers Jamboree and Crafts Festival.
The Murfreesboro resident, who also won the Junior Fiddling contest here Saturday night, beat out the Senior Fiddling Champion Gail Johnson of Lavergne in the showdown for the Berry C. Williams Memorial Award.
Branum was the Grand Champion Fiddler of the 2020 Virtual Jamboree.
This is the 10th year in a row (not counting last year’s virtual jamboree) that a Junior Fiddler has beaten the Senior Fiddler for the Grand Championship of the Festival.
Sam Stout, President and Coordinator of the Fiddlers Jamboree presented the award to Branum at the conclusion of the festival which ended at 11:15 p.m. Saturday evening.
By winning the Junior fiddling contest, Branum edged out two other competitors for a right to advance to the fiddle-off
Winners in the Saturday session of the Fiddler’s Jamboree are as follows:
Junior Old-Time Appalachian Flatfoot Dance (Ages up to 39): First Place- Jacob Fennell of Dickson; Second Place- Trenton “Tater” Caruthers of Cookeville; and Third Place Kelsey Gray of White Bluff.
Senior Old-Time Appalachian Flatfoot Dance (Ages 40 & Over): First Place- Anthony Harrell of Mount Juliet; Second Place- Stanley Reece of Gainesboro; and Third Place- Tommie Scruggs, Jr . of Hartsville.
Senior Buck Dancing (Ages 40 & Over): First Place- Danny Campbell of Murfreesboro; Second Place- Anthony Harrell of Mount Juliet; and Third Place-Tammy Scruggs of Lebanon.
Senior Clogging (Ages 40 & Over): First Place-Anthony Harrell of Mount Juliet; Second Place-Terrie Harrell of Mount Juliet; and Third Place- Tammy Scruggs of Lebanon.
Bluegrass Banjo: First Place-Axel Rico of Smithville; Second Place- Trevor Holder of Greenville, South Carolina; and Third Place-Shane Cothran of Franklin.
Junior Fiddlers (Ages 13-39): First Place-Justin Branum of Murfreesboro; Second Place- Tyler Andal of Nashville; and Third Place-Joe Evins Overton of Joelton.
Flat Top Guitar: First Place- Tylar Andal of Nashville; Second Place-Jake Patty of Lexington, Kentucky: and Third Place-Rob Pearcy of Smyrna.
Contest Fiddle (Neil Dudney Memorial Award): First Place- Justin Branum of Murfreesboro; Second Place-Tylar Andal of Nashville; and Third Place- Sarah Harris of Rockvale. The Neil Dudney Award was presented to Branum by two of Dudney’s, grandchildren, Ethan and Brandon Shaw. Dudney, who passed away in October, 2018 served as President and Coordinator of the Fiddlers Jamboree for 16 years until he stepped down in 2008.
Bluegrass Band: First Place- Smithville Fiddlin’ Music Team of Johnson City; Second Place-Mountain Cove Bluegrass Band of Chattanooga; and Third Place-Clearview of Hillham.
Senior Fiddlers ( Ages 40 & Over): First Place- Gail Johnson of Lavergne; Second Place-Thomas Chapman of Falkville, Alabama; and Third Place- Tony Haley of Mount Juilet.
Square Dancing: First Place-Rocky Top Revue of Franklin; Second Place- Harpeth River of Franklin; and Third Place- Foggy Mountain Steppers of Waverly
Winners of the Best Overall Inclusive Dance Award were Zachary Hughes in the category for adults and Sarah Jensen for teens.