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A Short History of the
Old Fiddlers' Club of Rhode Island, Inc.
It has been the custom of fiddle
players for ages to get together and play fiddle
tunes and learn new ones.
On August 4th, 1929, a group of fiddle players met at
Waterman's Hall, Greenville, R.I. for the purpose of forming a "Club
for Fiddling." The name selected for the club was "Old Fiddlers'
Club of Rhode Island." The purpose of the Club was to promote and keep
alive the interest in old-fashion music.
The Club played for outings,
granges, and the like, sometimes passing the hat or going 50/50 on the take
at the door. They played a lot of evening concerts, followed by dancing.
During the war years the Club
was dormant and the balance in the treasury was $30.00. In 1946 a handful
of members met and decided to continue with the Club. One of the locations
we played was Woodstock Fair starting in 1947, and we have played there
ever since.
To the best of
our knowledge the Old Fiddlers' Club of Rhode Island is the oldest
continuing fiddle club of its kind in the United States. The Charter has been renewed faithfully
for the last 75 years and we hope the Club will survive another 75 years.
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