If you have photos from past Grand Master Fiddler contests you would like to submit, please go to the Contacts page and send these to the Webmaster in "jpeg" format.  (If you have hard copies, we are happy to scan them but you must enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want them returned.)

The Founder and driving force behind the Grand Master Fiddle Championship was of course Dr. Perry F. Harris, affectionately known to musicians far and wide as "Doc Harris".  Doc spent untold hours making the contest the Premier Fiddle Contest in the World.  Doc is shown here during the 1994 contest. (photo uncredited)

1972 - The first Grand Master Fiddler Championship  -  Besides the competitors, there were also performances by many Grand Ole Opry stars and entertainers such as Bill Monroe and his Bluegrass Boys, Buck White, the Country Gentlemen, Jim & Jesse and of course the legendary Roy Acuff.

L-R: Dr. Perry Harris, Vernon Solomon, Roy Acuff - 1st place. (photo courtesy of Les Leverett and WSM).   See below for more pictures from this year's contest.

1973 Grand Master Fiddler Championship

Dick Barrett was this year's champion. L-R Roy Acuff, Dick Barrett, Porter Wagoner (photo courtesy of Howard Harris).  See below for more pictures from this year's contest.

1974 Grand Master Fiddler Championship

Herman Johnson was this year's champion. L-R Tommy Burger, Herman, Chris Hazelwood (photo courtesy of Howard Harris from 1973 contest).

1975 Grand Master Fiddler Championship

1976 Grand Master Fiddler Championship

1977 Grand Master Fiddler Championship

1978 Grand Master Fiddler Championship

1979 Grand Master Fiddler Championship

1980 Grand Master Fiddler Championship

Mark O'Connor was again this year's Champion and is shown with (L-R) Hal Durham, Porter Wagoner, Mark O'Connor, and Dr. Perry Harris. - Hal Durham was then Manager of the Grand Ole Opry a major supporter of the contest.  Grand Ole Opry star and Country Music Hall of Fame member Porter Wagoner was at the contest each year helping hand out trophies, performing for the crowd, and lending his prestige to the contest and he was always a favorite.  And without the tireless energy and hard work of Dr. Perry "Doc" Harris, there would have never been a Grand Master Fiddler Championship. (photo courtesy of Les Leverett and WSM)

1981 Grand Master Fiddler Championship

1982 Grand Master Fiddler Championship

1983 Grand Master Fiddler Championship

Dan Kelly was this year's champion and is shown here performing on the Grand Ole Opry after his win.  From left to right: Robert Shafer, Charlie Collins (partially hidden), Dan, "Wild Bill" Lyell, Roy Acuff, and unidentified stage hand. (photo courtesy of Robert Shafer)

1984 Grand Master Fiddler Championship

1985 Grand Master Fiddler Championship

The 1985 Champion was Randy Pollard, a two time winner and a former US National Champion.  He is shown performing at the Grand Ole Opry, accompanied by Robert Shafer (not shown) and "Wild Bill" Lyell with Roy Acuff looking on. (photo courtesy of Robert Shafer)

1986 Grand Master Fiddler Championship

Jeff Pritchard was this year's champion. He is shown playing on the Grand Ole Opry accompanied by "Wild" Bill Lyell and Wade Stockton (another Top Ten fiddler), as Roy Acuff looks on.  See below for more pictures from this year's contest.

1987 Grand Master Fiddler Championship

The 1987 Champion was Randy Pollard.  Left to Right" Dr. Harris, Randy, Roy Acuff, Porter Wagoner. (photo courtesy of Ed Carnes).  See below for more pictures from this year's contest.

1988 Grand Master Fiddler Championship

1989 Grand Master Fiddler Championship

1990 Grand Master Fiddler Championship

1991 Grand Master Fiddler Championship

The 1991 Champion, Dale Morris Jr., is accepting the award from Charlie Bush and Dr. Harris.  This was Dale's second win.   See below for more pictures from this year's contest.

1992 Grand Master Fiddler Championship

This year's Champion was Roberta Rast.  Roberta judged in 1993 and was Runner-up in 1994.  She and 3 Time Champion Danita Rast are sisters.  Roberta nows plays fiddle for the Killdares, a "Power Pop Celtic Crossover" band based in the Dallas, Texas area. (photo uncredited from 1994).  See below for more pictures from this year's contest.

1993 Grand Master Fiddler Championship

Matt Hartz was again Champion this year.  This was his second win and he served as judge in 1994.  Matt is also a former US National Champion.  A former Texas State Champion Fiddler, Ricky Turpin, looks on in the background. (photo uncredited from 1994)

1994 Grand Master Fiddler Championship

Danita Rast was this year's Champion.  This was her second win and she served as judge in 1995.  Danita is also a former US National Champion. (photo uncredited from 1994). See below for more pictures from this year's contest.

1995 Grand Master Fiddler Championship

1996 Grand Master Fiddler Championship

1997 Grand Master Fiddler Championship

Daniel Carwile was the 1997 champion.  He is shown performing on the Grand Ole Opry, accompanied by Al Mouledous, Jack Nash, and Ray Brandin.  Daniel teaches and performs in Lexington, KY - visit his website for more information. (photo courtesy of Daniel Carwile)

2005 Grand Master Fiddler Championship

Roberta Rast was the 2005 Champion.  Roberta also won in 1992.  She is shown here warming up for her performance on the WSM Grand Ole Opry.

2006 Grand Master Fiddler Championship

Tristan Clarridge

2007 Grand Master Fiddler Championship

Katrina Pearce

2008 Grand Master Fiddler Championship

(coming soon)

1972 Pictures (all pictures courtesy of Les Leverett and WSM)

L-R: Dr. Perry Harris, Dick Barrett, Roy Acuff - 2nd place.	L-R: Larry Franklin, Roy Acuff - 3rd place
L-R: Dr. Perry Harris, Lewis Franklin, Roy Acuff - 4th place. (Lewis is Larry's father)	L-R: Hoot Hester, Roy Acuff - 5th place.

Bud Wendell - Bud held positions as manager of the Grand Ole Opry and later Chairman of Opryland.  Bud was the major sponsor of this event over the years and it would not have happened without Bud and his support as well as that of WSM, Opryland and later Gaylord Entertainment.	Competing in his first Grand Masters was 3 time U.S. National Junior Champion Sam Bush.  It was around this time that he formed the band New Grass Revival.  Sam would go on to place in the Top Ten of the contest several times.
Vernon Solomon acompanied by his son Ricky on guitar and Buck White on mandolin.  Buck and his family, as "The Whites", performed at many Grand Master's contests over the years and is a great supporter.	Lewis Franklin is one of the legendary Texas fiddlers who helped develop the "Texas" style which has morphed into the "Contest" style usually heard at most U.S. contests today.  Lewis' uncle was Texas fiddler Major Franklin and his son Larry is one of the top session musicians in Nashville.

1973 Pictures (all pictures courtesy of Howard Harris)

Benny Thomasson with son Dale	Benny Thomasson with sons Dale and Jerry (hidden at left)
Bartow Riley	Dick Barrett with Christie and Brett Barrett
Frazier Moss	Frazier Moss with Clyde Forrester and Charlie Collins
Roy Acuff	J.T. Perkins  (1973 Runner-Up) and Clyde Moon

Dolly Parton	Howdy Forrester, Johnny Gimble and Dolly Parton
Major Franklin, with Bobby Christman and Ray Franklin	J.C. Broughton, with Larry Broughton and Bob Thompson
Lee Cremo	"Big Joe" Greene, with Charlie Collins and Ray Franklin
Sam McGee and Joe Edwards

1986 Pictures

Ed Carnes, backed by Robert Shafer and "Wild Bill" Lyell competing in the 1986 Finals (Ed placed 5th). (photo courtesy of Ed Carnes)

1988 Pictures

J.T. Perkins accompanied by Robert Shafer.  J.T. was runner-up in 1973 and placed in the Top Ten 4 times. (photo courtesy of Robert Shafer)	Andrea Zonn accompanied by Robert Shafer and "Wild" Bill Lyell.  Andrea was a Top Ten finisher and later went on to make music a career, performing in bands for Vince Gill and Lyle Lovett, and she is also a solo artist. (photo courtesy of Robert Shafer).

1991 Pictures (all pictures courtesy of Howard Harris)

Dale Morris Jr. accompanied by Ken Morris	Mark O'Connor performing for the audience
Ed Carnes	Daniel Carwile
Aubrey Haynie with Bobby Christman	Rudy Booher with Bobby Christman
Johnny Ray Watts	Monte Gaylord
Tonya Hopkins	Jim "Texas Shorty" Chancellor
Matt Hartz congratulates Dale on his win	Grandpa Jones and "Lightning" Chance perform for the audience

Fun at "the trunk" - Doc, Charlie Bush, Sherrie Harris, and Howard Harris	Al Mouldeous and Doc watch the entertainment
Texas Shorty receives his award from Charlie Bush and Doc Harris	Monte Gaylord receives his award

Dale Morris Jr. is helped into the Grand Master Fiddler Champion blazer by Charlie Bush and Dr. Harris.  The Top Ten are in this photo and are (L-R): Ed Carnes, Johnny Ray Watts, Matt Hartz, Tonya Hopkins, Rudy Booher, Aubrey Haynie, Daniel Carwile, Dale Morris Jr, and (hidden in photo) Monte Gaylord and Shorty Chancellor. (photo courtesy of Ed Carnes)

1992 Pictures

Ed Carnes and "Wild Bill" Lyell at the fiddler's jam session at Doc Harris' house in the early 1990's.  Grand Ole Opry star Mike Snider looks on at left. (photo courtesy of Ed Carnes)

1994 Pictures

The Top Ten. L-R: Joel Whittinghill, Ricky Turpin, Lisa Wagner, Danita Rast, Roberta Rast, Luke Bulla, Jenny Anne Bulla, Colt Tipton, Levi Dennis, Gayla Tanaka. (photo uncredited)
1994 Guest of Honor, Orville Burns.  Orville, a native of Oklahoma, was another of the legendary Texas-style Fiddlers and a major influence on several generations of players.  Orville's bowing technique was unique and much copied. He made popular many tunes on the contest circuit, including Choctaw, Blue Eagle, Hot Springs, Shortenin' Bread, and he is most famous for his rendition of Sally Goodin, Say Ol' Man, Billy in the Low Ground, George Booker, and Martha Campbell.  Also in the picture is guitarist Rex Guillentine, a much sought after accompanist in western U.S. contests. (photo uncredited)
Actor/entertainer Randall Franks, "Officer Randy Goode" on the hit TV series "In the Heat of the Night," entertains at the Grand Master Fiddle Championship in 1994.  Franks, known as the "Appalachian Ambassador of the Fiddle," is a former member of Bill Monroe's Bluegrass Boys, Jim and Jesse's Virginia Boys and Top 20 selling Christian artist who competed at the event in his teens and later returned to perform several times as his star as an entertainer rose. ((c) 1994 Randall Franks Music, Used bypermission.)

2005 Pictures

Coming soon!

Various pictures from Grand Master Fiddler Championship - this is the spot for pictures we receive in.

website designed and maintained by Carnes Group LLC