Thomlinson Alabama State Junior Champ

North Georgia fiddler Alex Thomlinson was named Alabama State Junior Fiddle Champion upon winning First Place in the Junior division of the Alabama State Fiddling Championship in Huntsville on April 26, 2008. This was his first time competing in the Junior division (ages 13 through 16); in 2007 Alex was Alabama State Champion in the Junior/Junior division (ages 12 and under.) Alex's tune selections were Yellow Rose Waltz and Grey Eagle; his accompanist on rhythm guitar was Lewis Taylor of Ringgold, Georgia.

Atotal of $5000 was awarded to the winning fiddlers. Prizes and trophies were presented to the winning competitors by contest co-chairmen-- fiddle champion Dr. Mark Ralph, and State Representative Mike Ball, who also served as emcee for the championship. The Alabama State Fiddling Championship has four divisions determined by age, as well as an open Master's Division which offers a prize of $1000 for First Place, along with the Official Alabama State Championship Governor's Cup.

Judges for the contest were Grand Ole Opry fiddler Brian Christianson who fiddles with The Mike Snider Band; fiddle champion and instructor Amy Carwile; and fiddle champion Heather Risser who is fiddler with the Grand Ole Opry and Trisha Yearwood's band.

The Official Alabama State Fiddling Championship is one portion of the annual Panoply Arts Festival held the last full weekend in April in Big Spring International Park in downtown Huntsville. The Southeast Tourism Society ranks Panolpy among their "Top Twenty Events."