Tristan Clarridge traveled more than 2,000 miles from Mount Shasta, California, to compete in the 57th annual Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention in Athens during the weekend, and his long journey paid off — literally.
Clarridge was crowned the 2024 “Tennessee Valley Fiddle Champion” at Athens State University on Saturday night, Oct. 5. As the top fiddler, Clarridge not only won the title of the State’s Fiddle Champion, but also the convention’s top prize of $2,000.
“We have a lot of people from the community who come in to support the competitions that we hold here,” Athens State University President Catherine Wehlburg said. “We have a lot of people from around the state, and beyond, perform in these competitions. So, I think it shows how much the convention means.”
Jessie Mau, from Asheville, North Carolina, finished runner-up to Clarridge. The other winners from the competitions were:
— Tom Fant, from Arab, finished first in the Harmonica category.
— Tyler Andal, from Nashville, Tennessee, finished first in the Mandolin category.
— Joey Gibson, from Manchester, Tennessee, finished first in the Bluegrass Banjo category.
— Nick Norris, from Denton, Texas, finished first in the Dobro category.
— Jan Hammond, from Athens, finished first in the Dulcimer category.
— Allan Daniel, from Woodland, finished first in the Old Time Singing category.
— Ella Derby, from Franklin, Tennessee, finished first in the Beginner Fiddler category.
— Sarah Hathaway, from Bowling Green, Kentucky, finished first in the Apprentice Fiddler category.
— Nick Norris, from Denton, Texas, finished first in the Guitar Finger Picking category.
— Adam Wright, from Goodlettsville, Tennessee, finished first in the Guitar Flat Picking category.
— Nathaniel Divine, from Glencoe, finished first in the Beginner Guitar category.
— Stephen Ewood, from Madison, finished first in the Beginner Mandolin category.
— Ridge McFarland, from Thompshonville, Illinois, finished first in the Beginner Banjo category.
— Tommy Jackson, from Franklin, Tennessee, finished first in the Appalachian Buck Dancing category.
— Carter Laney, from Birmingham, finished first in the Old Time Banjo category.
— Rafe Stefanini, from Madison, Tennessee, finished first in the Classic Old Time Fiddler category.
— Sharon Bounds, from Northport, finished first in the Senior Fiddler category.
— Slim Chance, from Smyrna, Tennessee, finished first in the Old Time String Band category.
— Scenic Route, from Montgomery, finished first in the Bluegrass Band category.
Each winner received a portion of the $47,350 in total cash prizes from the convention, with the top eight in each category receiving money as well.
The convention contributed to Athens State University by funding various student scholarships and University projects. This year’s event was made possible in part by a grant from the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area, additional support was also provided by the Alabama Tourism Department.
Traditional music lovers were also encouraged to save the date for the 58th annual Fiddlers Convention, which will be held Wednesday, Oct. 1-4, 2025.