2017 Fiddlers’ Festival

Results and Prize Winners

By Will Johnson
Messenger Reporter

CROCKETT – Mother Nature did her part and the musicians certainly did theirs as the sweet sounds of fiddle music could be heard throughout the downtown Crockett area on a gorgeous Saturday morning and afternoon.

The 81^st Annual World Championship Fiddlers Festival was held on Sept. 23 and the event attracted over 75 fiddlers and accompanists from as far away as California and Idaho. In addition, included amongst the musicians were eight former World Champion fiddlers!

The participants ranged in age from over 60 all the way down to six years of age and were divided into four divisions. The divisions were: the Senior Division, for contestants 60 years of age and above; the Youth Division for fiddlers up to the age of 18; the World Championship Division; and the Accompanist Division.

In the Senior Division, Brad Riley from Waller took home the first place trophy along with $250. Second place and a check for $200 went to Jesse Mears of Alvarado. Third place was awarded to Michael Weise along with a check for $150. Fourth place went to Tom Fonville along with $100 and Mabank’s Cliff McCall took home fifth place honors along with $50.

The Youth Division saw 13 competitors take the stage during the late morning / early afternoon. There were 10 possible places plus participation recognition. The competitors were:

• 1^st Place/$300 – Ridge Roberts, Age 14, Granbury, TX
• 2^nd Place/$250 – Leah Sawyer, Age 16, Weatherford, TX
• 3^rd Place/$200 – Sawyer Porter, Age 17, Middleton, ID
• 4^th Place/$150 – MacKenzie Johnston
• 5^th Place/$100 – Shira Ellisman, Age 17, Encinitas, CA
• 6^th Place/$75 – Christiana Nugent, Age 14, Burleson, TX
• 7^th Place/$50 – Nathaniel Copeland
• 8^th Place/$25 – David Sawyer, Age 14, Weatherford, TX
• 9^th Place/$25 – Linda Masters, Age 11, Huntsville, TX
• 10^th Place/$25 – Nathan Pedneault

11^th – 13^th places (listed alphabetically) received participation recognition and $10 each. The competitors were:

• Eva Masters
• Kara Moore
• Hannah Wilbourn

In the Accompanist Division, there were five possible places. They were:

1st Place/$300 – Hyatt Hopkins

2nd Place/$250 – Anthony Mature

3rd Place/$200 – Jim Reina

4th Place/$150 – Drew Miller

5th Place/$100 – Bobby Christman

The World Championship Division (Open) also saw 17 competitors take the stage. They were:

• 1^st Place/$1,000 – Wes Westmoreland, Temple, TX
• 2^nd Place/$900 – Bubba Hopkins, Porter, TX
• 3^rd Place/$800 – Monte Gaylord
• 4^th Place/$700 – Jason Andrews, Whitewright, TX
• 5^th Place/$600 – Matthew Hartz, Boise, ID
• 6^th Place/$500 – Michael Thompson, Roce, OK
• 7^th Place/$400 – Katie Crawford, Burleson, TX
• 8^th Place/$300 – Faith Nugent, Burleson, TX
• 9^th Place/$200 – Karissa Nugent, Burleson, TX
• 10^th Place/$150 – Noelle Nugent, Burleson, TX

11^th – 17^th places received participation recognition and $100 each. The competitors were:

• 11^th Place / $100 – Jessica Sells
• 12^th Place / $100 – Ed Carnes, Franklin, TX Faith Nugent, Burleson, TX
• 13^th Place / $100 – Eddie Davis, Cuero, TX
• 14^th Place / $100 Mike Waggoner
• 15^th Place / $100 – Charissa Discorack
• 16^th place / $100 – Fred Gebhart
• 17^th Place / $100 – Philip Pryor, New Waverly, TX

Will Johnson may be contacted via e-mail at [email protected].