January 28, 2020
By:
The board of the Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree & Crafts Festival has appointed Alex Woodward as stage co-host for the 49th Annual event to be held July 3-4, 2020. Woodward accepted the appointment to honor the memory of his late father, and longtime host of the Jamboree, Tim Woodward.
“The sudden loss of our friend and colleague left such a hole in our hearts, along with the Jamboree that he loved and supported,” said Sam Stout, President and Coordinator of the Jamboree, “Tim Woodward was a vibrant and talented host that kept us smiling, both on and off stage. Although there is no one that could truly replace Tim, it was our feeling that Alex was absolutely our first choice to not only host, but to honor his dad’s legacy.”
When asked about his thoughts on the Jamboree’s decision to appoint him, Alex Woodward responded with humility, “I am grateful and humbled by the opportunity to help co-host the Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree & Crafts Festival. We moved to Smithville, TN in 1994, and we lived one block off the square. At Jamboree time, we would go downtown to the festival and have fun. Later, if we got tired, we would go home and listen from the front porch. It has always been a joy of mine to listen and admire the talents of the many contestants as they travel to Smithville from all over the United States for this one special weekend,” smiles Woodward. “I remember hearing Dad say that ‘it was not about him, but about those performing’. It is also my desire to keep it about those competing. I look forward to co-hosting for 2020, and to welcome contestants and visitors to this year’s Jamboree. Our family is very appreciative of the comments, visits, thoughts, and prayers from the Jamboree family after the passing of our father. He truly enjoyed co-hosting, the Jamboree festivities, and what the Fiddlers Jamboree has always meant to Smithville and DeKalb County.”
The Jamboree Board wants to encourage the community to support Alex Woodward, along with the many volunteers across DeKalb County that work all year long to keep this 49 year old tradition alive for future generations. If you would like information on how to join the Jamboree Volunteers, or Junior Volunteers Team (15 & up); please email smithvillejamboree@gmail.com.