Thomlinson named Georgia champion beginning fiddler

Alex Thomlinson of Suches takes First Place/Beginning Fiddler at Georgia's Official State Fiddler's Convention Oct. 13 at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds.

Alex Thomlinson of Suches was awarded First Place/Beginning Fiddler at Georgia's Official State Fiddler's Convention on Friday, October 13, 2006, earning the designation "Georgia State Champion" in his division.

The highlight of the 10-day Georgia Mountain Fall F e s t i v a l , t h e F i d d l e r 's Convention, was held in the 3,500 seat Anderson Music Hall on the shores of beautiful Lake Chatuge at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds in Townes County, Ga.

Competing for the third year in the Official Georgia State Fiddler's Convention, 11 year old Alex played "Roxanna Waltz" and "Bill Cheatum" in a field of 15 beginning fiddlers, ages 15 and younger. He was accompanied by Lewis Taylor of Ringgold Ga. on rhythm guitar.

When asked about his win, Alex commented "I have a really great teacher!"

The host for the two-day music competition was the

inimitable Fiddlin' Howard Cunningham, founder of this Fiddler's Convention and inductee of the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame.

The over-all champion fiddler of the 2006 Official Georgia State Fiddler's Convention was Maggie Estes of Hopkinsville, Ky.

The two-day convention included competition in three divisions of fiddle (Beginner, Junior and Senior) as well as harmonica, old-time banjo, dobro, flat pick guitar, finger style guitar, 5-string banjo, dulcimer, mandolin, bluegrass band, and buck dancing.

Winners of individual instrument contests are declared Official Georgia State Champion in their specific divisions.

Second Place/Beginning Fiddler was won by Maddie Denton of Murfreesboro, Tenn., who was the 2005 Georgia State Champion /Beginning Fiddler.

Third Place/Beginning Fiddler was won by Bailey Steele of Cullowhee, N.C.