20th Annual Fiddlers Convention Kicks Off Tonight

BERLIN — Bluegrass musicians from across the country will vie for thousands in cash prizes in Adult and Youth Fiddle, Banjo, Guitar, Mandolin and Bluegrass Band competitions at the 20th Annual Berlin Fiddlers Convention, Sept. 21-23.

Hosted by the Berlin Chamber of Commerce, this event draws has brought thousands to the area for free, live bluegrass music, and with this year marking the 20th anniversary of this popular event, the crowds promise to be even bigger. 
The fun starts Friday night with this year’s exciting headlining act, Grammy® nominated Audi Blaylock and Redline, sponsored by PNC Bank. As one reviewer has said, if a bluegrass band could be engineered in a Kentucky lab, the end result would sound a lot like Audie Blaylock and Redline. Their new album, Hard Country, dropped in June and the first single release, A Natural Thing just appeared on the June Bluegrass Music Profiles Magazine Top 30 Hot Singles Chart and on Top Pick of the Month on the Bluegrass Radio Network. Audie Blaylock has performed with legendary bluegrass musicians, and his session work has earned a Grammy® nomination for Best Bluegrass Album and an International Bluegrass Music Association nomination for Recorded Event of the Year. Also on Friday the Chamber will feature a salute to the Berlin Little League champions.

Audie Blaylock and Redline will play again Saturday morning, followed by a full day of both youth and adult competitors vying for cash prizes for best band, guitar, banjo, mandolin, and of course, fiddler.

Saturday will also feature a salute to the late Jim Barrett, founder of the Berlin Fiddlers Convention, plus a few surprises in honor of the 20th anniversary.

On Sunday the event continues with a bluegrass gospel jam in front of the Taylor House Museum.
Schedule Of Events

Friday, Sept. 21

7-8 p.m.: Blue Crab Crossing
8-10 p.m.: Audie Blaylock and Redline

Saturday
10 a.m.: Competition Registration
11 a.m.-noon: Audie Blaylock and Redline
Noon-5 p.m.: Music Competition
5 p.m,: Awards

Sunday
11 a.m.: Bluegrass Gospel Jam at Taylor House Museum

About The Author: Steven Green

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The writer has been with The Dispatch in various capacities since 1995, including serving as editor and publisher since 2004. His previous titles were managing editor, staff writer, sports editor, sales account manager and copy editor. Growing up in Salisbury before moving to Berlin, Green graduated from Worcester Preparatory School in 1993 and graduated from Loyola University Baltimore in 1997 with degrees in Communications (journalism concentration) and Political Science.