Festival Waltz is a beautiful waltz that I have long enjoyed playing, and have played at many fiddle contests. My happiest memory of this tune was playing it at the High Plains fiddle contest when I was fourteen or so along with Sally Johnson and Beaumont Rag. It was the first time I won first place at a fiddle contest, and boy it sure felt good.
Festival Waltz according to the Fiddler’s Companion
FESTIVAL WALTZ. Bluegrass, Waltz. USA, Missouri. A Major. Standard tuning. AA (Brody): ABB’ (Matthiesen). Composed (copyrighted 1972) by Kenny Baker, longtime fiddler for Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys. It has become a popular “contest” waltz, prone to embellishment. Source for notated version: Bo Bradham (Charlottesville, VA) [Matthiesen]. Brody (Fiddler’s Fakebook), 1983; pg. 103‑104. Matthiesen (Waltz Book II), 1995; pgs. 18-19. American Heritage 516, Jana Greif‑ “I Love Fiddlin.'” County 736, Kenny Baker‑ “Kenny Baker Country.” County 2705, Kenny Baker – “Master Fiddler.” Missouri State Old Time Fiddlers’ Association, Lyman Enloe (b. 1906, Mo.). Rounder 0046, Mark O’Conner‑ “National Junior Fiddle Champion.” Ruthie Dornfeld – “American Cafe Orchestra.” Pete Jung & Bo Bradham- “Moving Clouds.”
Hi, Vi! I'm enjoying your Fiddle Tune a Day series sooo much! Thanks!
Hi, hi, hi! You would need a brass band to back you up! Great stuff!
You are very welcome. I'm glad you are enjoying it!
Now that would add a whole new dimension to fiddle tune a day.
Oh gosh, that was beautiful. Thanks.
Thanks, Deborah! You're welcome, and I'm glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
I love this waltz. my Uncle Fred Lohmann, played this when I was a child. Have you played Sweet Memories from Byron Berline yet? You do an awesome job at the Fiddle Tune a day and just wanted to let you know that I for one, appreciate it. Nathan
Hi Nathan. Thanks a bunch! I didn't do Sweet Memories, but I did play Huckleberry Hornpipe, another Byron Berline Tune. I tried to pay homage to a bunch of my favorite fiddlers. 🙂
Beautiful.
Thank you, Norma!
Wonderful song and musical performance !