Mountain City Fiddler's Convention

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Celebrate 100 Years of Old-Time Music in Mountain City!

Where Old-Time Music Found Its Voice

In 1925, “Fiddlin’ Dud” Vance captured first prize—and a $20 gold piece—for his performance of “Twinkle Little Star” at the inaugural Mountain City Fiddlers’ Convention. Alongside the famed Bristol Sessions of 1927 and Johnson City Sessions of 1928–29, this historic gathering helped ignite the flame that became modern country music.

100th Anniversary Celebration – October 3–4, 2025

Join us at Heritage Hall Theatre Square in Mountain City, Tennessee, for a free, two-day festival honoring a century of Old-Time and Bluegrass traditions. The 100th Anniversary Mountain City Fiddlers’ Convention brings together amateur and professional musicians from across the country—and around the world—for performances, competitions, and community celebration.

What to Expect:

Youth & Adult Competitions
Nearly $14,500 in cash and prizes—including a 1925 $20 Gold Piece (valued over $3,000) for the Grand Champion Fiddler, and a custom Jason Barie fiddle for the runner-up!
Live Performances
Featuring The Wyatt Ellis Band, The Kody Norris Show on Friday and Pete Denahy (Australia), Tennessee Rhythm Cloggers, The Tennessee Bluegrass Band, and Larry Sparks with Mary Rachel Norris on Saturday!
Special Events
- Friday: Meet & Greet + Featured Performances
- Saturday: All-day competitions, free music workshops, food vendors, special performances, awards and more!
Exclusive Music Release
Pick up a special re-release (vinyl or CD) of the original 1925 "A Fiddlers’ Convention in Mountain City" album—available at the event or through The Kody Norris Show.
Get your Mountain City Fiddlers' Convention merch including an exclusive 100th Anniversary Souvenir Poster!

Admission & Registration:

FREE for spectators—bring your lawn chairs!
Competition Entry: $15 per person, per category
Categories & contest rules coming soon!

Join us where it all began—to honor a century of music, tradition, and Appalachian pride! Follow our Facebook page for updates!

2024 GRAND CHAMPION FIDDLE OFF WINNER

99th Celebration of the Mountain City Fiddlers Convention goes International!

Timon Veelenturf - Rotterdam, Holland

The Kody Norris Show takes a moment after performing on Fox & Friends on Saturday, March 15, 2025, to show the 1925 Gold Coin - First Prize for the 2025 Mountain City Fiddlers Convention - to Fox News Anchor Chanley Painter. Painter is also an Arkansas State Fiddler!

GRAND PRIZE FOR THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONOF THE MOUNTAIN CITY FIDDLERS’ CONVENTION ANNOUNCED!

In celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Mountain City Fiddlers Convention, The Kody Norris Show has announced that the Grand Champion Fiddle-Off Prize for this year’s competition will be a 1925 Gold Piece, currently valued at over $3,000. This generous contribution was made by an anonymous donor.

Nearly a century ago, “Fiddlin’ Dud” (Dudley Vance) from Bluff City, Tennessee, won the First Prize of a $20 gold piece for his performance of “Twinkle Little Star” at the 1925 Mountain City Fiddlers Convention. Vance, a pioneer in the emerging recording industry, was renowned throughout the Southeast and held championships in Tennessee, Florida, and Oklahoma. G. B. Grayson, a native of Johnson County, also received recognition for his rendition of “Cumberland Gap.” This contest significantly influenced the music of East Tennessee and, alongside the Bristol recording sessions of 1927 and the Johnson City sessions of 1928 and 1929, is considered instrumental in launching the modern country music industry.

Maintaining the traditions of the inaugural convention, this year’s event is anticipated to attract amateur Old Time and Bluegrass artists from across the United States and internationally. With categories for both youth and adults, performers will compete for nearly $12,000 in cash and prizes, a substantial increase from the $40 awarded back in 1925.

Enthusiasts of the Mountain City Fiddlers' Convention will have the opportunity to purchase a vinyl re-release of the original 1925 “A Fiddlers’ Convention in Mountain City” by Rebel Records during the event or through the Kody Norris Show. The opening celebrations are scheduled for Friday, October 3, with free concerts featuring prominent Old Time and Bluegrass musicians, storytellers, and cloggers as part of the 2025 convention on Saturday, October 4 at Heritage Hall Theatre in Mountain City.

The Mountain City Fiddlers' Convention was held in the East Tennessee town of Mountain City in May 1925. The convention was attended by many acclaimed Appalachian musicians who are considered pioneers of bluegrass and country music, such as G. B. Grayson, Charlie Bowman, and Al Hopkins.

Visit The Kody Norris Show Online

Learn more about the Mountain City Fiddlers' Convention

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