The Glorious Past

...theplace where it all converges it at the Berkeley Old Time Fiddler’sConvention, created as a group effort, by the musical community for themusical community and of the musical community,
Conceived in theback of a Vokswagen bus, on the way to a party in Marin County, by agroup of people who wanted to retain the good music and interplaythey’d witnessed at Southern fiddle-banjo contests, without thecompetition and corruption extant there. They wished to avoid theeffects of regionalism that decreed there was a right way to play atune and a wrong way, as well. After all, they felt, who could pinpointone tradition for Berkeley? So it happened with but one rule, “No fair‘lectric instruments.” Our first one was “The 35th Annual.” At thesign-up tables, people asked “Who’s sponsoring this?” The answer givenwas, “Nobody! We’re just having it, that’s all.” The judges were chosenfor their musicianship and their inherent sense of the absurd. Bribeswere openly solicited, the judges preferring a particular brand ofbooze. First prize was 3 lbs. of rutabagas, second prize was 5 lbs. ofrutabagas. This tactic, in addition to the judges being encouraged torender arbitrary decisions, was designed to deflate competition andtension. Naturally, everything was free. In fact, one year, so manypeople gave us money to help defray costs, that the board (everyone whowanted to be on it) quite because it didn’t have the slightest idea ofwhat to do with it. Everything had been volunteered by the participants.
The Berkeley Old Time Fiddler’s Convention is held in Provo park,bounded by the Police Department, City Hall, Jail and Berkeley HighSchool. If a newcomer arrived here on the right day, there would be nofaster, more accurate way for him to understand where the Berkeleymusic scene is at, in every way. It’s fun to see who catches on to thespirit and who doesn’t. It’s simply that music, here, is artistic andsocial communication rather than a consumer commodity.
Here are some anecdotes that have taken place since 1968 (35th Annual),1969 (22nd Annual), 1970 (17th Annual) at our yearly get together.

1. First prize went to a regular on the folk scene, who was in Geneva,Swirzerland at the time, teaching mathematics. The judges ruling: “Wefelt the ultimate thing a banjo player could do, in terms of goodtaste, was to be at least 8,000 miles away.”

2. Another prize went to someone because he had traveled the farthestto attend. But he lost points because he was from New York City.

3. So many musicians kept re-forming instant bands, that Will Spireswon the Face in the Crowd Award, and Hank Bradley won Best SupportingActor.

4. Another instant band of 40, calling itself "The Family Cow," playedPhil Marsh's Motown arrangement of "Catch a Falling Star and Put It inYou Pocket" with folk instruments, culminating in a solo of DynamiteAnnie's expression on an alien instrument to her - a fiddle, all whilean 8 month pregnant band member twirled a baton and did a belly dance.They were disqualified for unlawful assembly.

5. Jean-Paul was disqualified for dropping chinese yen in the judges' bribe box.

6. Boom-Boom Shubb won for playing Arkansas Travler on the bass fiddle.

7. Sue Draheim won for her good legs and traditional hip action.

8.Jody Stecher won 5 points for every fret missing on his fretless banjo.His prize, a normal looking custard pie; when cut open, revealed amulti colored psychedelia inside.

9.Dave Polachek impressed the judges with his Uncle Dave Macon sweatshirtand by never once looking at the audience while picking.

10.One year a fourth prize was included because the judges felt that atleast one prize should be awarded for quality. No one remembers who wonit!

11. Sandy and Jeanie Darlington won with "The Lone Pilgrim", because "they have soul."

12.The anecdotes could go on forever, but my favorite concerns aconsummate musician with "The Golden Toad," who got onstage with a3-string violin of ancient ancestry, and gave a dissertation as to it'slineage and evolution. He ended his remarks by noting that it wasprobably the only true fiddle at the convention. He then played anexquisite mediaeval dance tune that enthralled everyone. He wasdisqualified for not having a real fiddle.

Asof this writing thhe Berkeley Old Time Fiddler's Convention has becomesuch a legend that the City Chamber of Commerce (missing the entirepoint) urges us to continue, several television stations and theCanadian Film Board are making plans to film this year's event.

Wejust may not hold our convention this year because of it. If acommunity function becomes too large, then rules must be made. None ofus wishes to change the character or function of our traditional party.

Rita Weill
July 27, 1971



		A BRIEF HISTORY: Thefirst stringband contest was held in Provo Park in 1968. It was calledthe 35th Annual. The following year the 17th Annual was held and 22ndAnnual the year after that. These contests were put on by a looseknitgroup of volunteers, musicians organizing a good time for themselves,other musicians and the public. Read on...
	.......... NOTES ON THE BERKELEY OLD TIME FIDDLER'S CONVENTION 1968-70 From the Folkways lp "Berkeley Farms" notes by Rita Weill
...theplace where it all converges it at the Berkeley Old Time Fiddler’sConvention, created as a group effort, by the musical community for themusical community and of the musical community, Conceived in theback of a Vokswagen bus, on the way to a party in Marin County, by agroup of people who wanted to retain the good music and interplaythey’d witnessed at Southern fiddle-banjo contests, without thecompetition and corruption extant there. They wished to avoid theeffects of regionalism that decreed there was a right way to play atune and a wrong way, as well. After all, they felt, who could pinpointone tradition for Berkeley? So it happened with but one rule, “No fair‘lectric instruments.” Our first one was “The 35th Annual.” At thesign-up tables, people asked “Who’s sponsoring this?” The answer givenwas, “Nobody! We’re just having it, that’s all.” The judges were chosenfor their musicianship and their inherent sense of the absurd. Bribeswere openly solicited, the judges preferring a particular brand ofbooze. First prize was 3 lbs. of rutabagas, second prize was 5 lbs. ofrutabagas. This tactic, in addition to the judges being encouraged torender arbitrary decisions, was designed to deflate competition andtension. Naturally, everything was free. In fact, one year, so manypeople gave us money to help defray costs, that the board (everyone whowanted to be on it) quite because it didn’t have the slightest idea ofwhat to do with it. Everything had been volunteered by the participants. The Berkeley Old Time Fiddler’s Convention is held in Provo park,bounded by the Police Department, City Hall, Jail and Berkeley HighSchool. If a newcomer arrived here on the right day, there would be nofaster, more accurate way for him to understand where the Berkeleymusic scene is at, in every way. It’s fun to see who catches on to thespirit and who doesn’t. It’s simply that music, here, is artistic andsocial communication rather than a consumer commodity. Here are some anecdotes that have taken place since 1968 (35th Annual),1969 (22nd Annual), 1970 (17th Annual) at our yearly get together. 1. First prize went to a regular on the folk scene, who was in Geneva,Swirzerland at the time, teaching mathematics. The judges ruling: “Wefelt the ultimate thing a banjo player could do, in terms of goodtaste, was to be at least 8,000 miles away.” 2. Another prize went to someone because he had traveled the farthestto attend. But he lost points because he was from New York City. 3. So many musicians kept re-forming instant bands, that Will Spireswon the Face in the Crowd Award, and Hank Bradley won Best SupportingActor. 4. Another instant band of 40, calling itself "The Family Cow," playedPhil Marsh's Motown arrangement of "Catch a Falling Star and Put It inYou Pocket" with folk instruments, culminating in a solo of DynamiteAnnie's expression on an alien instrument to her - a fiddle, all whilean 8 month pregnant band member twirled a baton and did a belly dance.They were disqualified for unlawful assembly. 5. Jean-Paul was disqualified for dropping chinese yen in the judges' bribe box. 6. Boom-Boom Shubb won for playing Arkansas Travler on the bass fiddle. 7. Sue Draheim won for her good legs and traditional hip action. 8.Jody Stecher won 5 points for every fret missing on his fretless banjo.His prize, a normal looking custard pie; when cut open, revealed amulti colored psychedelia inside. 9.Dave Polachek impressed the judges with his Uncle Dave Macon sweatshirtand by never once looking at the audience while picking. 10.One year a fourth prize was included because the judges felt that atleast one prize should be awarded for quality. No one remembers who wonit! 11. Sandy and Jeanie Darlington won with "The Lone Pilgrim", because "they have soul." 12.The anecdotes could go on forever, but my favorite concerns aconsummate musician with "The Golden Toad," who got onstage with a3-string violin of ancient ancestry, and gave a dissertation as to it'slineage and evolution. He ended his remarks by noting that it wasprobably the only true fiddle at the convention. He then played anexquisite mediaeval dance tune that enthralled everyone. He wasdisqualified for not having a real fiddle. Asof this writing thhe Berkeley Old Time Fiddler's Convention has becomesuch a legend that the City Chamber of Commerce (missing the entirepoint) urges us to continue, several television stations and theCanadian Film Board are making plans to film this year's event. Wejust may not hold our convention this year because of it. If acommunity function becomes too large, then rules must be made. None ofus wishes to change the character or function of our traditional party. Rita Weill July 27, 1971 .......... Read a firsthand account from 1968 PAST POSTERS 1968 1969 1970 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008