Hopkins Named 2026 Tennessee Valley Fiddle Champion, Alabama State Fiddle Champion

Zirl (Bubba) Hopkins from Spavinaw, Oklahoma was named the 2026 “Tennessee Valley Fiddle Champion” at the 59th annual Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention held at Athens State University on Saturday, October 3.

As the top fiddler, Hopkins not only won the title of Alabama State Fiddle Champion, but also the Convention’s top prize of $2,000. Jesse Maw from Asheville, North Carolina finished runner-up.

The Convention contributes to Athens State by funding student scholarships and University projects. Thank you to our 2026 Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention sponsors and supporters: GMC – Goodwyn Mills Cawood (Presenting Sponsor), Pettus Plumbing & Piping, Inc.(Stage Sponsor), Huntsville International Airport (Stage Sponsor), Redstone Federal Credit Union (Wristband Sponsor), TriGreen Equipment (T-Shirt Sponsor and Shuttle Sponsor), Bryant Bank (Cash Giveaway Sponsor), Bank Independent (Craft Vendor Area Sponsor), The Orthopaedic Center – TOC Athens (Craft Vendor Area Sponsor), Aetos Systems, Inc. (Backstage Sponsor), Trustmark Bank (Craft Vendor Area Sponsor), Pepsi (Food Court Sponsor), Capshaw RV Park (Food Court Sponsor), Martin & Cobey (Jerry McGlocklin Music Store Sponsor), Nanny’s Old Fashion Lemonade (RV Campground Sponsor), and Edward Jones – Micah Joy (RV Campground Sponsor). This project was made possible in part by a grant from the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area and support was also provided by the Alabama Department of Tourism.

Old time music fans are encouraged to save the date for the 2027 Fiddlers Convention, which will be held Wednesday, September 29 through Saturday, October 2, 2027.

For more information about the Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention, please visit www.AthensFiddlers.org.