Rhythmfiddle

After 34 years in Cable TV, I've decided to re-discover old passions and spend a bit less time worrying about someone else's priorities. So when the "opportunity" presented itself, I stepped off the 60 hr/wk treadmill and am now doing some long deferred hiking and music playing.

I started playing guitar behind contra dance bands in the late '80s after moving to Kansas City. Picked up the fiddle around 1990. Went to several dance and music camps over the next 10 years, including Winter in the Woods, Brasstown, Elkins, and Berea and began to toy around with the fiddle. Over the years I've played with several incredibly famous bands including "the Waffles", "Cymbeline", "Crosstown Contraband", "Cold Fusion", "the Heel and Toe Jam Band", and "Heyride" to name a few.

Met many fabulous and encouraging "real" musicians along the way who took me in the direction of the Old Time and Celtic fiddle styles. Mostly because in jam/session environments, I liked the culture of unison playing.

Now that we've settled in Concord, NC (Near Charlotte) we've hooked up with the Charlotte Folk Society (CFS) and am meeting many new players through that resource. Still haven't been to any of the great fiddle festivals in the area, though I'll get there sooner or later. At the moment though, I play with others at least twice a week, usually more, and enjoy it greatly!

I currently host the CFS Slow Jam which follows the monthly concert gatherings, where I encourage new players to take their first steps in playing Old Time music. For any that have also promoted such jams, I'm sure you understand the "interesting" experience it is and the joy one feels when one of the players starts "Catching" it!

I also am a co-conspirator in a "slightly slower" Celtic Session that meets once or twice a month. Links to both activities can be found on the Folksociety.org website.

Hope to see ya sometime!

Ed