North American
Fiddlers Hall of Fame Inductees

Join us in honoring Fiddling's North American Treasures!

1976 Bob Wills

Bob Wills was born into one of Texas' most renowned fiddling families. Both of his grandfathers were fiddlers, as were 9 of his uncles and 5 of his aunts. His father, John wills, was a frequent finalist at Texas fiddle contests, where he defeated the legendary Eck Robertson on several occasions. Wills learned typical old-time fiddle music from his family. They also played ragtime and cowboy sings in the distinctive Texas longbow style. Bob first played fiddle, in a band, at the age of 10, when his father failed to show up. He went on to later form his famous "Texas Playboys" and recorded many of today's standards. He wrote many of these himself, including, "San Antonio Rose," "Spanish Two Step" and "Faded Love."

1976 Howdy Forrester

1922 - 1987 Howard "Howdy" Forrester was a native of Hickman County, Tennessee. His father was a fiddler as was his grandfather and an uncle. Howdy started playing fiddle at the age of 8. His professional career began in 1938 with Harold Goodman's Tennessee Valley Boys. In 1940 He left the Goodman Band and joined "The Texas Roundup" in Dallas, Texas. After a tour of duty in the armed services during World War II, Howdy worked with Bill Monroe, Cowboy Copas, Jamup & Honey and Uncle Dave Macon. In 1951 he became a member of Roy Acuff's "Smokey Mountain Boys." The highlight of many Opry listeners was Howdy's breakdown during Acuff's portion of the Opry. Howdy was also head of the Acuff-Rose Talent Booking Bureau.

1977 Don Messer

1909 - 1973 Don Messer was born in 1909 in Tweedside, New Brunswick. At the age of 7 he played at a barn dance and continued to play jigs and reels until at 16 he devoted himself to the serious study of violin in Boston. In 1930 he returned to New Brunswick and formed "The Backwoods Trio." He later organized an 8-piece orchestra called "The New Brunswick Lumberjacks." In 1938 he formed "The Backwoods Breakdown." In 1939 he started his old-time orchestra "The Islanders" and also began making records. In 1955 Don Messer and his Islanders began a weekly Television show. In 1959 his show was a summer replacement for "Country Hoedown" seen from coast to coast. It was such a hit that they asked him to stay. Thus came about the "Don Messer's Jubilee."

1978 Johnny Mooring

1927- 1974 Johnny Mooring, who died tragically in March, 1974, was the only fiddler in the long history of the North American Fiddling Championship to win the title 3 years in a row. 1964, 1965 and 1966 saw Johnny sweep to victory over stiff competition, an achievement which will be hard to equal. Johnny has toured Canada and the U.S.A. and played with such notable personalities as Don Messer, Hawkshaw Hawkins, Tommy Hunter, The Rhythm Pals, Hank Snow and Eddy Arnold. Born in Springhill, Nova Scotia, May 17, 1927, Johnny was a prolific composer of fiddle tunes. He also played for the Lt. Governor of Ontario, the Honorable Earl Rowe, and earned a place for himself in the Honour Roll of Great Canadian Fiddlers. Johnny Mooring died March 28, 1974.

1979 Rudy Meeks

1931 - 2019 Rudy Meeks has had music bred right into him, for on both sides of his family the fiddle reined supreme. In fact, his dad was considered one of the best old time fiddlers around. His brother Bill also achieved this distinction. Born in the beautiful Muskokas, Rudy has been drawing the bow across the strings of a fiddle since the age of 7. Rudy says it was his father who encouraged and taught him to play the fiddle. Later living in Orilla he and his band played for many dances and other functions near and far afield. Rudy has played the Wheeling Jamboree and The Grand Ole Opry. Rudy has won most all the highly recognized fiddle contests in Ontario and went on to win the North American Old Time Fiddle Championship in 1972. He passed away July 29, 2019 at the age of 88 years.

1980 Graham Townsend

1942 - 1998 Graham Townsend was born June 16, 1942 in Toronto, Ontario. He started playing at dances at the age of 9 and at the age of 11 he placed 3rd in the Open Fiddle Championship at Shelburne, Ontario and went on to win this competition five times. Graham has done two Royal Command performances for H. M. Queen Elizabeth. He appeared in the film "Beautiful Dreamers" with Rip Torn. He has traveled and toured in 12 countries, performed with such notables as Hank Snow, Wilf Carter, Tommy Hunter, Don Messer, Porter Wagoner, Roy Acuff, George Jones, Johnny Cash, Buck Owens and the list could go on and on. He has recorded over 40 albums and has composed over 350 songs. His wife, Eleanor, is also in the North American Fiddlers Hall of Fame.

1982 Tommy Jackson

1926 - 1979 Tommy Jackson was born in Birmingham, Alabama in 1926. His family moved to Nashville when he was one. He started playing professionally when he was 10 years old, and at 17 was playing regularly on the Grand Ole Opry. For over twenty years he was the premier Nashville studio fiddler and probably played on more records than any fiddler in history. He backed up such stars as Hank Williams, Bill Monroe, Grandpa Jones, Tammy Wynette, Red Foley, Cowboy Copas, Hawkshaw Hawkins, Rex Allen, The Delmore Brothers and The York Brothers. Tommy emerged as a star in his own right in the mid-1950's, when his long series of fiddle albums became popular with dancers around the country.

1983 Andy DeJarlis

1916 - 1975 Born in Woodridge, Manitoba in 1916, Andy Dejarlis comes from a long line of fiddlers on both sides of his family. His great grandfather was an early settler in the Red River Valley where settlers acquired their fiddles by trading pelts with the fur traders, many of whom came from Scotland; thus was born the Red River Jig and The Red River Style of fiddling. Steeped in this tradition, it is only natural that Andy's "Caribou Reel," "Moccasin Reel," "Whiskey Before Breakfast," "Woodridge Breakdown" (a tune named after his hometown), and many other tunes would bear the stamp of his forefathers. Andy began playing at 15, learning from his father. He has won 19 trophies in all, including the Western Canada and Central America championships. Andy Dejarlis passed away September 18, 1975.

1984 Roma McMillan

1911 - 2007 On July 5, 1911 in the City of Lachine, Quebec, Canada, Roma Clarke McMillan was born. In 1935 she married Hugh McMillan and moved to Ontario where they farmed until his death in 1974. In 1978 she moved to Ottawa where she held the position of National Secretary of Federated Women's Institutes of Canada. Roma studied the violin and piano from Professor Armand LeDuc of Lachine, Quebec. In 1929 she joined the Montreal Philharmonic Orchestra. It was not until moving to Ottawa that she played old time fiddle music. In 1961 she won her first trophy; she has a total of 45 trophies. Roma has done a great deal of volunteer dance music for senior citizens and intends to keep on doing so as long as possible. Roma McMillan died July 4, 2007.

1985 Craig Duncan

1954 - Present Craig Duncan is an active Nashville musician who spans the gap of both the country and classical fields. He began playing the violin at the age of 8 and went on to receive a bachelor of music degree from Appalachian State University. He began his professional music career in Charlotte, N.C., where he worked as a fiddler, vocalist and bassist. After moving to Nashville, he worked at Opryland with a group called "Smokey Mountain Sunshine." In 1978 he started working on the Grand Ole Opry with Wilma Lee Cooper. He's also worked with Tom T. Hall, Jean Shepard, Porter Wagoner, and Justin Tubb. Craig is also an Artist/Teacher at the Blair School of Music in Nashville. His book "Fiddling Method" is published by Mel Bay Publications.

1986 Eleanor Townsend

1944 - 1998 Eleanor Townsend was born January 8, 1944 in Dungannon, Ontario. She studied piano and classical violin from ages 7 to 15. She began studying fiddle music at the age of 18. Her early influences were Al Cherny and Ward Allen. At Shelburne, Eleanor won the Ladies Class in 1967. From 1967 to 1979, she entered and won every major contest in Canada, being the only woman to do so, and in 1979, topped it all by winning the Canadian Open in Shelburne. She also won the Northeastern States Fiddle Contest in Barre, Vermont. Her first recording was made in 1970 as Eleanor Moorehead. She has made many recordings since as Eleanor Townsend. She is married to Graham Townsend, another North American Fiddlers Hall of Fame Inductee. Eleanor Townsend died in Barre, Ontario December 31, 1998.

1987 Clayton McMichen

1900 - 1970 Clayton McMichen was born in 1900 in Allatoona, Georgia. At the age of 11 he learned to play the fiddle from his uncles and his father. In 1913 the family moved to Atlanta, Georgia and Clayton attended his first fiddle contest, winning third place. Around 1918 he organized his first band, along with Lowe Stokes, sometimes called the "Lick The Skillet Band," sometimes the "Old Hometown Band." Later he joined with Riley Puckett, Gid Tannier and Fate Norris and changed the name of the band to "The Skillet Lickers." Lowe Stokes also played with them off and on, as did McMichen's Brother-in-Law, Bert Layne. The Skillet Lickers almost always recorded with three fiddlers, banjo and guitar. Clayton McMichen died in Battletown, Kentucky January 4, 1970.

1987 Johnny Gimble

1926-2015 Johnny grew up on a farm in East Texas, near Tyler, with four musical brothers. At the age of 13, Johnny and his brothers played on KGJB radio in Tyler. After high school he joined the Shelton Brothers in Shreveport, Louisiana. After serving in WWII, Johnny worked with various bands until he joined "Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys" in 1949. In the 1950's he worked on "The Big D Jamboree." For 3 years he had his own show "Johnny Gimble & The Homefolks." He was a member of the "Million Dollar Band" on "Hee Haw" and was on "Nashville Now" and "Austin City Limits." He was voted "Instrumentalist of the Year" by the Country Music Association 4 times, Fiddler of the Year 8 times and won a Grammy in 1994. After more than 50 years he is still "fiddlin' around.

1988 Ned Landry

1921 - 2018 Ned Landry was born in 1921 in St. John, New Brunswick, Canada. At the age of 10 Ned began teaching himself to play the fiddle. By the time he was 15, he had his first appearance on the Don Messer Radio Show. He had appeared on such TV shows as the Tommy Hunter Show, the Don Messer Show, Hank Snow, Ernest Tubb Show, plus many more. He released over 30 recordings with RCA. Ned won the North American Fiddle Championships held in Sherbourne, Ontario,in 1956, 1957, and 1962. He was inducted into the New Brunswick Hall of Fame and the Ottawa Valley Country Music Hall of Fame. On April 29, 1992, Ned received one of his most prized possessions. He was honoured with the Order of Canada Medal. Ned passed away in 2018 and will be missed by many.

1989 Kenny Baker

1926 - 2011 Kenny Baker was born in 1926 in the coal mining town of Jenkins, Kentucky. His father and grandfather were both fine fiddlers. Kenny may be the most influential folk violinist of our time. He has composed over a dozen tunes including "High Country," "Washington County," and "First Day in Town." Kenny served in the US Navy before returning to work as a coal mniner. During this time he took up the fiddle in earnest, influenced by Marion Sumner, Chubby wise and Stephane Grappelli. His many years of work with Bill Monroe and Don Gibson brought him a reputation as a great performer and a strict Traditionalist. Kenny talks quietly aobut playing fgrom the heart and says, "I've never heard a player I couldn't learn something from."

1990 Ivan Hicks

Ivan Hicks started out by playing mandolin with his fiddling father, Curtis. He started playing fiddle at age 7 and was the fiddle player for the "Golden Valley Boys." They performed around the Maritimes in the 1950's and 1960's. After Ivan received his B.A. and B.Ed. in the 1960's and his M.Ed. from the University of New Brunswick, Ivan began teaching science while his wife, Vivian was teaching at an elementary school. Ivan recently retired from his teaching career. Ivan has twice won the prestigious Maritime Old-Time Fiddling Contest as well as many other contests. He formed the group "The Maritime Express" in 1979. He presently tours the United State and Canada with his wife Vivian accompanying him on the piano.

1991 Chubby Wise

1915 - 1996 Chubby Wise was one of the most unique fiddle stylists of all time. His influence can be heard in the fiddle work of countless musicians who followed him. Chubby joined Bill Monroe in 1942. After that he spent 16 years with Hank Snow. He spent many years as a backup musician and can be heard on many top artists' recordings such as Roy Clark, Jimmy Dean, Elton Britt, Billy Grammer, and more. He was on several Hank Williams' recordings. Chubby was known as "Mr. Orange Blossom Special" as he was a co-writer of the song. He also was a co-writer of the song "Shenandoah Waltz." He has recorded dozens of fiddle albums. No other instrumentalist could draw the spontaneous response from an audience like Chubby Wise could.

1991 Mark O'Connor.

1961 - Present Mark O'Connor was born in Seattle, Washington in 1961. He began playing the violin at the age of 11. Within 3 weeks of owning his first violin, Mark was playing square dances, and after only 7 months he was winning fiddle contests at a national level. Mark was National Junior Champion 4 times and also a National Grand Masters Champion. His early influences were Doug Kershaw and his teacher and mentor, Benny Tomasson. Mark incorporates the styles of other fiddlers into his own style; fiddle players such as Johnny Gimble, Buddy Spicher, Byron Berline, Vassar Clements, Texas Shorty and Kenny Baker. Mark hosted the TV show "American Music Shop" and TNN. He also organized a group of top musicians, "The Nashville Cats."

1992 Al Cherney

1932 - 1998 Al Cherney was born November 1, 1932 in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada. His mother's name was Nettie and was from the Ukraine and his father was Peter Cherney. He began his musical career with four and a half years of classical training but when he heard fiddlers like Don Messer and Bob Wills, the desire to play fiddle music began. He played two years for the Tommy Hunter Radio Show, two years with the Country Hoedown TV show and twenty years with the Tommy Hunter TV Show. His favorite fiddlers were Scotty Fitzgerald, Chubby Wise, Howdy Forrester and Don Messer. In 1960, Al won the North American Open Championship and the Novelty Class at Shelburne, Ontario. He has composed about 20 tunes of which "The Shannon Waltz" was his favorite. Al Cherny passed away August 25, 1989

1993 Arthur Smith

1898 - 1971 Fiddlin' Arthur Smith was born in Humphreys County, Tennessee in 1898. Arthur started on the Grand Ole Opry in 1927 but didn't record anything until 1935 when he was 37 years old. He formed the "Dixieliners" with Sam and Kirk McGee in 1932. In 1935 he teamed up with the Delmore Brothers recording as the "Arthur Smith Trio." They enjoyed a string of hits such as "Walking in my Sleep," "Beautiful Brown Eyes," and "Love Letters in the Sand." He was a member of the Jimmy Wakley show from 1946-1949 and appeared in several films with him. Arthur composed may tunes such as "Florida Blues," "I've Had A Big Time Today," "Peacock Rag," "Smith's Rag" and "Red Apple Rag."

1993 Matilda Murdoch

1920-2019. Matilda Kelly Murdoch lived all of her near Loggieville, New Brunswick, Canada. At 8 years of age her father bought her a fiddle. The first tune she learned on her own was "Little Brown Jug." At 12 she gave her first concert. At 16 she had her first lessons from Mrs. John Gray in Chatham. In the early 1950's Matilda started composing tunes. Her first composition was "Swallow Return Clog." Other compositions are "David's Jig," "Napadogen Reel," "One for Francis" and "Loggieville Two Step." One of the highlights of her fiddling career was her friendship with Don Messer. She later appeared on his television show and he recorded two of her tunes. Matilda recorded two of her own albums featuring her own compositions. In addition to being inducted into the North American Fiddlers Hall of Fame, Matilda was also inducted into the New Brunswick Country Music Hall of Fame. In 2002, she received the EMCA Stompin' Tom Connors Award for lifetime avhievement in music. Matilda Murdoch passed away on February 2nd, 2019, just three days after her 99th birthday.

1994 Alice Colvin Clemens

1915 - 1999 After many years of dreaming of a fiddlers hall of fame, Alice Clemens' dream finally became a reality. In 1976 co-founders Alice Clemens, Ray Cronk and Austin Perry established the North American Old Tyme Fiddlers Hall of Fame and Museum Institute. So, in 1976 the first fiddlers were inducted into the Fiddlers Hall of Fame. Bob Wills and Howdy Forrester were the first North American Inductees. Pappy Cast, Alice Clemens, Hal Casey and Art Colvin were the first New York State Inductees. Alice was the first to receive the Ray Cronk Memorial Award, presented to those who have contributed the most to the art of old time fiddling during the past year. Alice has also served on the National Old Tyme Fiddlers Association Board of Directors.

1994 Buddy Spicher

1938 - Buddy Spicher was born July 28, 1938 in Western Pennsylvania. In the mid 50's he played on the Wheeling Jamboree and in 1956 moved to Nashville, Tennessee to travel with such artists as Ray Price, Faron Young, Hank Snow, Webb Pierce and others. In 1961 he moved to Las Vegas to play with the Judy Lynn Band. In 1963 he returned to Nashville to become a studio musician and backup artist. He has recorded with Dottie West, Elvis Presley, John Anderson, Crystal Gayle, Ray Price, Boxcar Willie, Hank Williams, Jr., Bill Monroe, Charlie Pride and many more, too numerous to mention. Buddy played one year with the Nashville Symphony. Known as "The Jascha Heifitz of Country Music," he's been one of the most in-demand studio musicians for 3 decades.

1994 Clark Kessinger

1896 - 1975 Clark Kessinger is well-known among the devotees of old-time country music. A selftaught musician, Clark took up the fiddle at the age of 5, and was playing at dances before the age of 10. He had his nephew, Luches Kessinger, began playing together about 1919, and by 1926, had their own radio show. Between 1928 and 1930 they recorded over 70 sides for Brunswick Records as the Kessinger Brothers. All these recordings were instrumentals with violin and guitar only. In 1964 he was rediscovered and was taken to the Old Time Fiddler's Convention, where he won first prize. Two weeks later he took first place at the Galex Old-Time Fiddlers' Convention.

North American Fiddlers Hall of Fame Inductees

North American
Fiddlers Hall of Fame Inductees