Grand Master Fiddler Champion Maddie Denton (third from left) of Murfreesboro, Tn. receives her trophy, from left, GMFC Director Ed Carnes, Woody Paul of Riders in the Sky, GMFC Director Howard Harris, and GMFC Host Randall Franks.
The Grand Master Champion for 2016 is Maddie Denton of Murfreesboro, Tn. Ms. Denton won the opportunity to compete in the finals of the competition at the 2016 1890s Day Jamboree Old Time Fiddle Convention in Ringgold, Ga. when she won the Randall Franks Trophy, named for the internationally known fiddler and actor, who live in Ringgold.
The two-day 45th annual Grand Master Fiddler Championship is the nation’s premier championship event held at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville on Sept.
3 and 4. Mr. Franks serves as celebrity host for the event.
"All of us on the 1890s Day Jamboree Old Time Fiddlers Convention Committee are so proud of Maddie's accomplishment," Mr. Franks said. "She is an amazing talent who has come to Ringgold to compete and won several times. Ringgold has watched her grow in her skills as a musician and now attain the nation's highest fiddling honor, which we are all a small part of now."
Ms. Denton took home $1,200 in cash, a $500 gift certificate from D'Addario, a Grand Master Fiddler plaque, and will appear on the Grand Ole Opry.
Grand Master Fiddler Champion Maddie Denton of Murfreesboro, Tn. competes during the finals at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum