Tristan Clarridge from Mount Shasta, California was named the 2024 “Tennessee Valley Fiddle Champion” at the 57th annual Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention held at Athens State University on Saturday night.
As the top fiddler, Clarridge not only won the title of Alabama State Fiddle Champion but also the Convention’s top prize of $2,000. Jessie Mau from Asheville, North Carolina, finished runner-up.
The 2024 Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention was presented by Aetos Systems, Inc., with stage sponsorships by Goodwyn Mills Cawood (Founders Hall Main Stage), Martin & Cobey (Founders Hall Main Stage), Pettus Plumbing & Piping, Inc. (Brown Hall Stage), and Renewal by Andersen (Delmore Brothers Stage Sponsor – McCandless Hall). Other sponsors included Fink’s Music, Redstone Federal Credit Union, Breeze Airways, Nanny’s Old Fashion Lemonade, Pepsi, Bank Independent, CB&S Bank, Winsupply of Huntsville, and The Orthopaedic Center – TOC Athens.
The Convention contributes to Athens State by funding student scholarships and University projects. This project was made possible in part by a grant from the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area. Support was also provided by the Alabama Tourism Department.
Music fans are encouraged to save the date for the 58th annual Fiddlers Convention, which will be held Wednesday, October 1 through Saturday, October 4 in 2025.