August 14, 2010
Festival Musicians 2006
Thank you to everyone for making the 2006 Richmond Blueberry Fiddle Festival our most successful festival yet! With about a thousand persons visiting the Pavilion during the day, we are very grateful to the Richmond Selectmen, the fire department, donors, sponsors, IHM families, alumni and friends with whose help the festival was made possible.
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Our emcee for 2006: Nick Pangaro! Thank you, Nick, for keeping the schedule moving (on time!). Congratulations to you and Sharon on your thirty-third wedding anniversary!
This year we welcomed a Master Fiddler: Scott Campbell! Scott was inducted into the National Fiddlers' Hall of Fame last year, and, when you hear his playing, you'll know why! Not only did he perform for us (2:00pm), but he has also gave a workshop on Ornamentation. Thank you, Scott!
Ann Whiting, a world class clogger joined Scott for several songs. A bright and energetic dancer, Ann Whiting has been clogging and stepdancing since 1979. She has danced with the Green Mountain Cloggers and the Kitchen-Sync Cloggers and has studied with many world-class stepdancers. Ann herself — with her amazing feet — becomes the percussion section for the musicians with whom she dances. Her fun workshop made the following acts even more enjoyable.
3rd Sunday Fiddlers came from from Sandown, NH. Directed by Beverly Manning and backed up on the piano keyboard by her husband, Rick, this group of musicians (many of them taking private lessons from Mrs. Manning) meets monthly and perform at various New Hamshire activities. Besides fiddles, the 3rd Sunday Fiddlers include violas, celos, and a hammer dulcimer. Mrs. Manning, a trained classical violinist now teaching the fiddle to more than thirty students, says that her motto is: "Just 'cuz it says fiddle music, it doesn't apply to just fiddles!"
A special thank you to Mrs. Manning for her workshop on improvization "How To Play A Tune You Don't Know."
Our four o'clock set was provided by Corey Bluhm from Fitzwiliiam. Playing solo, Dr. Bluhm gave a most interesting, educational performace by demonstrating a wide variety of fiddling styles and tunes. We are especially grateful to Dr. Bluhm for filling this slot at the last minute!
The Bryan Family & Co. took the stage at three o'clock. This performance featured all but one of the ten Bryan children, plus extended family and grandchildren!
The Well-Tuned Trio, from Richmond, Winchester, and Fitzwilliam, specialize in Irish and old-time music, but, then again, you never know when a little bluegrass or blues will creep in. Guitars, mandolins, tin whistles, and concertina combined with classic lyrics for a delightful show. This year they featured some suprise guests.
The Future Famous Fiddlers performed at their special noon slot. These elementary and secondary students of Immaculate Heart of Mary School sang, danced, and played for your entertainment. The littlest ones always steal the show!
Our first set was provided by the Blueberry Jammers. This group of young musicians comprises the older students and alumni of IHM. With a large, flexible repertoire of popular old-time fiddle tunes, they were a nice beginning for our day of music.
