Jam’n in Jelly Town

August 7, 2014 · 0 Comments

The Friday morning Fiddle Jam, this year on August 8th, is one of the many favoured events during the Canadian Open Old Time Fiddle Championships. At 9:30 a.m. fiddlers young and old sign up to perform their favourite fiddle tune for the early morning crowd in the Town and Country Room of the Centre Dufferin Recreation Centre (CDRC).

According to the Fiddle Contest History Book, the Jam Session was started back in 1990 by the Shelburne Rotary Club. Glen Drury, a former volunteer from the very early years of the competition, took on the job of lining up contestants for the contest and encouraged competitors to join the Friday morning Jam, which he often hosted himself.

It is a casual family event, parents and kids, friends, neighbours and musicians of all sorts come to support and appreciate the talents of the many fiddlers and step dancers who have risen early to share their talents with the community. The room has been filled with up to 200 lovers of the old time fiddle tunes, relaxing into the familiar strains of the strings, chatting with the musicians and whoever sits close by.

There is none of the nervous tension that can be felt at the competition – no sweaty palms, or hushed silence – this is a time to simply enjoy the music and each other. It is an opportunity, when all the busyness of preparing for the competition falls away, a time for folks to laugh and enjoy another great year of Fiddlefest in a fun and informal setting. Often judges from the contest, such as Webb Acheson, will be in the audience, just one of the gang, encouraging young fiddlers, meeting the crowd, and stepping up on stage themselves to join in the fiddle performances.

This year, Greg Holmes, of Holmes Appliances and Music Shop, will take over for Rheal Gagnon as event organizer and master of ceremonies as well as assisting musicians at the jam session as the back-up piano player. Rheal Gagnon, who is out of town this year, has led the event for the last half dozen years and it has always been great fun to witness his enthusiasm for the event and genuine affection for the talent. His comical personality put the younger entertainers’ right at home and he made sure they always felt special and appreciated.

Like Rheal Gagnon, Greg Holmes is also well known for bringing young entertainers into the musical fold, teaching them from his home and encouraging their participation. Greg has long led many of the local jamboree events and recently, had great success with his second annual Pickin’ in the Park event which he organizes with his wife Heather and community volunteers. Greg has also done a great job for several years as the musical lead for the Fiddle Service organized by the Shelburne Ministerial. The church service will take place in the arena at 10am on Sunday.

The Friday Fiddle Jam will take place in the Town and Country Room of the CDRC from 9:30 – 11 a.m. on August 8th. Anyone can sign up that morning to play old time music or step dance, or just come to listen and enjoy. Light refreshments available, or stop by for breakfast at the Shelburne Legion, 203 William Street at 8am before the Jam Session.

By Marni Walsh