Old Fiddler’s Convention is pushing 90 and keeping mountain music alive

['Frank Langfitt', '.Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Coauthors.Is-Layout-Flow', 'Class', 'Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus', 'Display Inline', '.Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Avatar', 'Where Img', 'Height Auto Max-Width', 'Vertical-Align Bottom .Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Coauthors.Is-Layout-Flow .Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Avatar', 'Vertical-Align Middle .Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Avatar Is .Alignleft .Alignright'] TPR: The Public's Radio 2025-08-16 10:00:00

(Allison Isley | for NPR)Beyond the competition, the Old Fiddler’s Convention is also a big, musical tailgate. People sit in folding chairs and on bleachers to watch the Bluegrass band competition during the 89th Annual Old Fiddler’s Convention. (Allison Isley | for NPR)Fiddles are laid out on a vendor’s table during the 89th Annual Old Fiddlers’ Convention. “But this is a positive, this is the stew that comes out of it.”The Old Fiddler’s Convention, however, faces challenges. (SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC) LANGFITT: Organizers say the Old Fiddler’s Convention drew about 30,000 people this year.