Fries Fiddlers' Convention

08/19/2025

We are proud to have selected Phyllis Gaskins for this award. Thank you Phyllis for all you have done to keep Galax-style dulcimer alive!

CONGRATULATIONS TO PHYLLIS GASKINS!
She was selected as the 2025 recipient of the Legend of Grayson Fries Musical Heritage Award. Phyllis is recognized as the foremost expert on Galax-style mountain dulcimer playing.

The Galax-style is one of the oldest mountain dulcimers, dating back to the mid-1800s. Phyllis played with some of the greats of the genre, including the Raymond Melton and Russell families. She and her fiddle-playing husband Jim have learned from and shared their knowledge with many prominent Southwest Virginia musicians, such as Luther Davis, the Kimble family and Fries' own Evelyn Farmer.

She's recorded several albums and written popular books on how to play and build the Galax dulcimer, keeping the tradition alive. Phyllis also has served as Master Musician for the Virginia Folklife Program and performs with The Highlander String Band. And, of course, she has won countless prizes in dulcimer competitions.

We're proud to honor her as the second annual recipient of this award designed to recognize "a person who has excelled in preserving, promoting or performing the unique traditional music of Fries and the surrounding communities of Grayson and Carroll Counties.”

08/19/2025

FRIES FIDDLERS CONVENTION YOUTH WINNERS

YOUTH MANDOLIN
1- Highland Hollifield
2- Sarah Walls

YOUTH GUITAR
1- Kingston Hollifield
2- Corban Walls
3- Wesley Carico
4- Landon Jackson
5- Katlynn Rutherford

YOUTH BLUEGRASS BANJO
1- Silas Walls

YOUTH BLUEGRASS FIDDLE
1- Olivia Walls
2- Isaiah Imperiale
3- Mallory Haithcox
4- Kullen Hollifield

YOUTH OLDTIME BANJO
1- Mason Hayden
2- Ella Grim
3- Colton Perry
4- Bubby Sage
5- Emma Repass

YOUTH OLDTIME FIDDLE
1- Juliet Bradshaw
2- Jane Whetten
3- William Boggs
4- Gracie Terry
5- Daisy Hale

YOUTH FOLKSONG
1- William Boggs
2- Ella Grim
3- Juliet Bradshaw
4- Elias Beckworth
5- Mason Hayden

YOUTH DANCE
1- Ella Grim
2- Jude Morris
3- Highland Hollifield
4- Kullen Hollifield
5- William Boggs

YOUTH BAND
1- The Hollishaws
2- Four Walls
3- Mountain Laurel
4- Misty Meadows

08/19/2025

2025 FRIES FIDDLERS CONVENTION ADULT WINNERS

AUTOHARP
1- Ronnie Burroughs
2- Lois Shumaker
3- Dennis Day
4- Virgil Adams
5- Judy Hinkle

DULCIMER
1- Diane Parker
2- Dick Lamb
3- Tim Thornton

BASS
1- Levi Head
2- Michael Plumley
3- Tommy Nichols

MANDOLIN
1- Vince Bullins
2- Elijah Smith
3- George Wilder Boggs
4- Logan Harrison
5- Matthew McHone

BLUEGRASS BANJO
1- Ronny Harrison
2- Gary Wilson
3- Tim Lineberry
4- Travis Branch
5- Jack Circle

GUITAR
1- Chad Harrison
2- Cody McGrady
3- Matthew King
4- Greg Wilson
5- Stefan Kraft

BLUEGRASS FIDDLE
1- Jesse Maw
2- Charlie Tolbert
3- Hollace Oakes
4- Edwin McCoy
5- John Hoffmann

OLD TIME FIDDLE
1- Kevin Fore
2- Nathan Vargo
3- Andrew Walker
4- Grayson McGuire
5- Sterling Hollifield

OLDTIME BANJO
1- Trish Fore
2- Robbie Herman
3- Alan Rutherford
4- Nancy Sluys
5- Nick Wingo

OTHER INSTRUMENTS
1- Geoffrey Saur (Bagpipes)
2- Derrick Parker (Washboard}
3- Ricky Caudill (Ukulele)
4- Amy Boucher (Banjo Uke)
5- Cindy Seiler (Kazoo)

FOLKSONG
1- Sarah Beckworth
2- Kelly Snider
3- John Hoffmann
4- Robbie Herman
5- Bill Mansfield

DANCE
1- Nathan Vargo
2- Doris Christley
3- Wanda Cline
4- Rick Johnson
5- John Killen

OLDTIME BAND
1- Southern Wildcats
2- Chapel Hill Serenaders
3- Gold Hill Gang
4- Pilot Mountain Bobcats
5- Buck Mountaineers

BLUEGRASS BAND
1- Harrison Ridge
2- New River Line
3- Wilkes Record Players
4- Ask Frank
5- Showing Our Grass

08/15/2025

IMPORTANT: We have run out of camping spaces at the Fries Fiddlers' Convention. Limited parking space is available inside the park. Walk-in traffic is welcome - there is parking available within a radius of the park.

08/14/2025

We’re launching a new tradition: an annual instrument auction to fund scholarships for young folks learning Appalachian music.
To begin, we’re offering a fiddle that belonged to Terry Gleason—a friend to so many in Fries and Galax. The instrument is housed in a mahogany case with plaque, and includes a Certificate of Authenticity & Provenance stating it is the only official instrument for the 58th Annual (2025) Fries Fiddlers’ Convention. The bridge is engraved to commemorate the year. The instrument was donated to the Fries Fiddlers' Convention for auction by Susan Gleason and daughter Claire.

Please join us Saturday night during the competition for the live auction. Your bid honors Terry’s legacy and invests in the next generation.

08/14/2025

Kick off fiddling' weekend in Fries with a bang - come to the Thursday Night Jam (aka the Jam at the Dam) in Fries, VA! The Thursday night Jam at The Historic Fries Theatre is tonight (8/14/25) and every Thursday night! Free admission! Doors open by 5:30 p.m. Weekly jam starts at 7. Cakewalk at 8. 316 W. Main St., Fries, VA. Music. Dancing. Fellowship. Everyone welcome.

Grayson County VA Tourism Town of Fries, VA Virginia is for Lovers The Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail Fries Town Market Fries New River Trail RV Park Fries Fiddlers' Convention

08/11/2025

Rules from page 9 of the 2025 program

08/10/2025

Congratulation to The Wildcats for winning first in old-time band a the Galax Fiddlers' Convention!!

08/10/2025

Congratulations to Brian Grim!! Not only did he win first in old time fiddle at the Galax Fiddlers' Convention, he won best all around performer at Galax! Way to go Brian!