By Taylor Boyd
The Patrick County Music Association’s (PCMA) Fiddle Festival is set for Saturday, April 16.
The Country Boys, a bluegrass group from Patrick County and Surry County, N.C., will headline the show that will be held at the Rotary Building in Stuart. Doors open at 5 p.m., and the music will start at 6 p.m.
Sponsored by Olde Mill Music on Main Street in Mount Airy, N.C., the show will highlight local fiddle players. It is the third show in a series of three that spotlights local talent in a variety of instruments. The Fiddle Fest was originally scheduled for January, but was cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns.
In addition to the headliners, Charlie Chaney, Henry Mabe, Jason Phillips, Micah Slaydon, Kayla Ward, Sidney Watson, Mike Hartgrove, and more are scheduled to take the stage. The County Boys will also serve as the backup band for these performers.
The Country Boys began more than 30 years ago with founding member and leader, Donald Clifton. The group has played in most of the regional fiddler conventions, and won first place in the Galax Fiddlers Convention competition several times.
Denny Alley, of the PCMA, said two more shows will be held before the organization takes a break for the summer. Music shows will resume in October.
“We will not be there in the summer months due to the heat,” he said. “We hit it hard in the wintertime,” Alley said of the monthly shows.
The fall lineup will celebrate the organization’s 20th anniversary, with The Lonesome River Band already scheduled to perform.
Admission is a $5 donation at the door. Lawn chairs are encouraged, and prizes will be awarded throughout the night.
Concessions will be available for purchase from the Patrick County Shooting Education Team, with proceeds going to teach children in the area firearm safety.
For more information or to watch past music performances, visit Facebook.com/PatrickCountyMusicAssociation.