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volunteer page
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Mission
    • History
    • Leadership
    • Partners
    • Contact
  • Our Work
    • Historical Archive
    • 95th Reunion
    • 100th Reunion
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    • Hall of Champions

hall of champions by year

Three smiling young musicians with guitars and a violin at an outdoor event.

Ridge Roberts

2024

From Burleson TX - 2018 World Champion, Grand Master Champion, has won 4 National Championships

Young woman holding a violin with a gentle smile, labeled Open Division Champion.

Mia Kelso

2023

From Dallas TX - 2019 Grand Champion, 2023 Grand Champion Colorado State

Man in cowboy hat speaking into microphone with American flag behind him.

Carl Hopkins

2022

From Porter TX - 1992, 1995, 2003, 2005, 2006 & 2009 State Champion

Musicians playing fiddle and guitar on stage during a performance.

Bubba Hopkins

2021

From Ft Worth TX - Five time Mid America Champion, 2012 World Champion, 2016 Texas State Champion, 2019 Bob Wills Champion

Three musicians playing instruments in an outdoor setting.

Drive in Fiddle Concert

2020

There was no fiddle contest due to COVID but the City of Athens approved a drive in fiddle concert

Young cowboy smiling with a fiddle and bow, wearing a hat and casual western attire.

Ridge Roberts

2019

From Burleson TX - 2018 World Champion, Grand Master Champion, has won 4 National Championships

Musician in cowboy hat plays violin passionately at a live performance.

Ridge Roberts

2018

From Burleson TX - 2018 World Champion, Grand Master Champion, has won 4 National Championships

A woman passionately playing the violin on stage with an open division champion badge.

Mia Orosco

2017

From Lorena TX - 2012 was the youngest female, at age 19, to win the Grand National Championship, 2017 Grand Master Champion.

Two musicians performing with a violin and guitar under a roofed stage.

Wes Westmoreland

2016

From Hallettesville TX - 2016 & 2014 Texas State Championship Fiddlers Frolics, 2016 Mid-America Championship (sixth time), 2012 Crockett World Championship, and 2021 Athens Old Fiddlers Reunion Open Division

Two people discussing a violin bow, one holding a violin, outdoors.

Marty Elmore

2015

From Bowie TX - Competes in World Championship, Athens Fiddle Contest, Grand Master Fiddler Championship

Man passionately playing a violin with eyes closed, Open Division Champion badge.

Dale Morris Jr

2014

From Garland TX -  Texas State Championship, Grand National title, and the Grand Master Fiddle Championship. Dale won his first Texas State Championship in 1972 and repeated in 1973, 1978, and 1979

Lydia Elseth, fiddle champion, playing violin with band members.

Lydia Elseth

2013

Nacadoches TX - Athens Old Fiddlers "Open" Division winner, competed in the Llano Fiddle Festival. Lydia demonstrated standout talent early in her competitive career

A woman passionately playing the violin on stage with an open division champion badge.

Mia Orasco

2012

From Lorena TX - 2012 was the youngest female, at age 19, to win the Grand National Championship, 2017 Grand Master Champion.

Lydia Elseth, fiddle champion, playing violin with band members.

Lydia Elseth

2011

Nacadoches TX - Athens Old Fiddlers "Open" Division winner, competed in the Llano Fiddle Festival. Lydia demonstrated standout talent early in her competitive career

Two musicians performing with a violin and guitar under a roofed stage.

Wes Westmoreland

2010

From Hallettesville TX - 2016 & 2014 Texas State Championship Fiddlers Frolics, 2016 Mid-America Championship (sixth time), 2012 Crockett World Championship, and 2021 Athens Old Fiddlers Reunion Open Division

Hallettesville TX - 2016 & 2014 Texas State Championship Fiddlers Frolics, 2016 Mid-America Champion

Wes Westmoreland

2009

Hallettesville TX - 2016 & 2014 Texas State Championship Fiddlers Frolics, 2016 Mid-America Championship (sixth time), 2012 Crockett World Championship, and 2021 Athens Old Fiddlers Reunion Open Division

Young woman playing fiddle with a microphone nearby.

Brook Wallace

2008

Burleson/Alvarado TX - 2007 Walnut Valley Old Time Fiddle Championship. Began playing at the age of 7.

Douglas Thompson playing fiddle, crowned Fiddle Champion.

Douglas Thompson

2007

Rose OK - 2007, 2009, 2010, Three-Time Oklahoma State Fiddle Champion, 2009 Kansas State Champion, 2010 Arkansas State Champion. Featured performer with renowned acts such as Asleep at the Wheel, Oak Ridge Boys and the Texas Playboys.

Musician passionately playing the violin during a live performance.

Monte Gaylord

2006

Nowata OK - 2023 Walnut Valley Old-Time Fiddle Champion, 2023 Tennessee Valley Fiddle Champion, 2024 American Heritage Music Festival & Grand Lake National Fiddle Fest Grand National Champion. Collaborated with Alan Jackson, Clint Black, Brooks & Dun, Patty Loveless, etc.

Man in a cowboy hat playing the violin into a microphone.

Jason Andrews

2005

Whitewright TX - 2021 Texas State Fiddle Champion, 2018 Grand Master Fiddler Finalist, Awarded master Texas Fiddler by the Festival of Texas Fiddling, one of the highest honors in the state.

Brook Wallace playing the fiddle with a focused expression on stage.

Brook Wallace

2004

Burleson/Alvarado TX - 2007 Walnut Valley Old Time Fiddle Championship. Began playing at the age of 7.

Young woman playing fiddle with a microphone nearby.

Brook Wallace

2003

Burleson/Alvarado TX - 2007 Walnut Valley Old Time Fiddle Championship. Began playing at the age of 7.

Andy Tindell playing fiddle on stage as Fiddle Champion.

Andy Tindell

2002

Alvarado TX - Athens Old Fiddlers Open Champion two years in a row. Student of Joey McKenzie.

Andy Tindell playing fiddle on stage as Fiddle Champion.

Andy Tindell

2001

Alvarado TX - Athens Old Fiddlers Open Champion two years in a row. Student of Joey McKenzie.

Tonya Hopkins playing the violin as Open Division Champion.

Tonya Hopkins

2000

Porter TX: Two time National Ladies Champion, first woman to win the Texas Old Time Fiddlers Association Championship

Tonya Hopkins playing the violin as Open Division Champion.

Tonya Hopkins

1999

Porter TX: Two time National Ladies Champion, first woman to win the Texas Old Time Fiddlers Association Championship

Regina Matthews playing the violin, crowned Open Division Champion.

Regina Matthews

1998

From Castroville TX: 4 time winner of the Texas Old Time Fiddlers Junior Championship. Regina plays in the Cactus Country Band.

Sherry McKenzie playing the violin, Open Division Champion.

Sherry McKenzie

1997

From Burleson TX

Jason Crisp playing violin with focused expression, Open Division Champion.

Jason crisp

1996

From Oakhurst TX

Close-up of Robert Weeks playing violin intensely near a microphone.

Robert Weeks

1995

From Eastland TX


From Porter TX: Two time National Ladies Champion, first woman to win the Texas Old Time Fiddlers As

Tonya Hopkins

1994

From Porter TX: Two time National Ladies Champion, first woman to win the Texas Old Time Fiddlers Association Championship

Danita Hartz, Open Division Champion, speaking into a microphone.

Danita Hartz

1993

From Huntsville TX:

Daniel Carwile playing violin near a microphone in a black and white photo.

Daniel carwile

1992

From Athens Alabama

Tonya Hopkins playing the violin as Open Division Champion.

Tonya Hopkins

1991

From Porter TX: Two time National Ladies Champion, first woman to win the Texas Old Time Fiddlers Association Championship

Jason Crisp

1990

From Oakhurst TX: 

James "Texas Shorty" Chancellor

From Dallas TX: Athens Old Fiddlers Reunion "OPEN" Division Champion: 1974, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981

Past Fiddle Champions by Division

List of champions from 1980 to 1989 in various categories including Grand Champion, 65+, 18+, Women's, and Bands.
List of champions from 1970-1979 in various categories including Over 65, Under 65, Under 18, Women's, and Bands.
List of Texas champions from 1960-1969 in various categories including Over 65, Under 65, and Bands.
List of "Fiddle Off" champions from 1932 to 1959 with band names and locations.

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