Athens State University will be welcoming old time music lovers of all ages to campus from October 1-4, 2025 for the 58th Annual Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention.
Musical competitions will be held on the Founders Hall Main Stage, Brown Hall Stage (both sponsored by Bank of America, GMC, Pettus Plumbing and Piping, and TriGreen Equipment), and the Delmore Brothers Stage in McCandless Hall (sponsored by Renewal by Andersen), with over $47,000 in prize money to be awarded. Proceeds from the convention fund student scholarships and other university projects throughout the year.
Entertainment:
The 2025 Fiddlers Convention’s concert line-up includes:
- Wednesday, October 1 at 7:30 pm – Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers (Special Gospel Concert) *Free Preview Night – No Admission Ticket Required*
- Thursday, October 2 at 7:00 pm – Pitney Meyer
- Friday, October 3 at 6:00 pm – Jimmy Fortune
- Saturday, October 4 at 7:30 pm – Rhonda Vincent & The Rage
All concerts will take place on the Founders Hall Main Stage. Access to all Fiddlers Convention entertainment is included with the purchase of an admission ticket.
Competitions:
Historically, the convention has attracted more than 15,000 people, with more than 200 musicians participating. Competitions will begin at 7:30 pm on Friday, October 3, resume at 9:00 am on Saturday, October 4, and conclude with the crowning of the Tennessee Valley Fiddle Champion on Saturday evening.
2025 Competition Schedule
Friday, October 3
- 7:30 pm – Founders Hall Main Stage
Harmonica, Dulcimer, Mandolin, Bluegrass Banjo, Dobro
- 7:30 pm – Delmore Brothers Stage at McCandless Hall
Old Time Singing
Saturday, October 4
- 9:00 am – Brown Hall Stage
Beginner Fiddler, Beginner Guitar, Beginner Mandolin, Beginner Banjo, Old Time Banjo, Guitar Finger Picking, Guitar Flat Picking
- 9:00 am – Founders Hall Main Stage
Apprentice Fiddler, Classic Old Time Fiddler, Senior Fiddler, Old Time String Band, Bluegrass Band, Tennessee Valley Fiddle Champion
- 2:00 pm – Brown Hall Stage
Appalachian Buck Dancing
Finals will begin on the Founders Hall Main Stage immediately after all of the preliminary rounds of competitions have concluded. All individual categories will be designated Alabama State Champion, and the open fiddle category will be designated Tennessee Valley Fiddle Champion. All competition categories have eight (8) award places with a cash prize for each place.
Bank Independent Cash Giveaway:
Convention guests will also have the opportunity to enter the annual Bank Independent Cash Giveaway. Drawings will be held twice a day for a total of $500 on Thursday, $1,000 on Friday, and $1,000 on Saturday.
Arts, Crafts, and Food Vendors:
Approximately 150 booths featuring old-fashioned arts and crafts will be open for business in the Nanny’s Old Fashioned Lemonade Craft Vendor Area. Convention goers will see everything from traditional artwork to handmade crafts. Food vendors will also be on hand at the Pepsi Food Court to provide anything from a quick snack to a full meal.
Tradeshow:
Be sure to visit the Jerry McGlocklin Music Store, sponsored by Martin & Cobey, located in the Sandridge Hall Ballroom, featuring vendors selling instruments and accessories.
Strings Workshops:
Strings workshops, sponsored by CB&S Bank, for emerging musicians of all ages and abilities will be offered for FREE in Kares Library. The workshops are located outside of the Convention gates, therefore they are open to the public and no admission tickets are required.
Workshop Schedule
Thursday, October 2
- 2:00 – 3:00 pm: Phil Riddick – Banjo
- 3:00 – 4:00 pm: Ricky Rorex – Mandolin
- 4:00 – 6:00 pm: J.A.M. Workshop and Jam with Russ Holder
Friday, October 3
- 2:00 – 3:00 pm: Brad Bulla – Guitar
- 3:00 – 4:00 pm: Cassidy Koonce – Fiddle
- 4:00 – 6:00 pm: J.A.M. Workshop and Jam with Russ Holder
Tickets:
Single day admission will be $20 per adult for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. A 3-Day Weekend Pass option is also available for $30 per adult. Children under 12 will be admitted free with a paid adult. The preview night concert scheduled for Wednesday evening is free and does not require the purchase of an admission ticket.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.AthensFiddlers.org. The purchase of an admission ticket includes access to all convention entertainment, events, and activities as well as entry to one competition category. Additional competition entries may be purchased for $5 each, or $10 for a band.
Sponsors:
Special thanks to all of the Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention sponsors and supporters:
- Bank of America (Stage Sponsor)
- Goodwyn Mills Cawood (Stage Sponsor)
- TriGreen Equipment (Stage Sponsor)
- Pettus Plumbing & Piping, Inc. (Stage Sponsor)
- Renewal by Andersen (Delmore Brothers Stage Sponsor – McCandless Hall)
- Redstone Federal Credit Union (Wristband Sponsor)
- Martin & Cobey (Jerry McGlocklin Music Store Sponsor)
- Fly HSV/American Airlines (Backstage Sponsor)
- Fink’s Music (T-Shirt Sponsor)
- Winsupply Huntsville Bath & Kitchen Idea Center (RV Campground Sponsor)
- The Orthopaedic Center – TOC Athens (Shuttle Sponsor)
- CB&S Bank (Strings Workshop Sponsor)
- Nanny’s Old Fashion Lemonade (Craft Vendor Area and Shade-Tree Picking Area Sponsor)
- Pepsi (Food Court Venue Sponsor)
- Bank Independent (Cash Giveaway Sponsor)
- Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area
- Alabama Tourism Department
For more information about the Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention, please visit www.AthensFiddlers.org or call the Athens State Office of University Advancement at (256) 233-8190.