DAR Honored Fletcher Bright With Historic Preservation Medal

The Chief John Ross Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, on Dec. 19 honored local businessman and philanthropist Fletcher Bright with the DAR Historic Preservation Medal for his work to preserve and promote bluegrass and mountain music. Mr. Bright died on Christmas Day.

CJR Regent Jessica Dumitru noted that “equally amazing is that Fletcher Bright has performed every small and large act of historical preservation as his vocation, a continuing demonstration of his love and commitment to the preservation of Bluegrass and mountain music.

For seventy-two years, Mr. Bright worked tirelessly for that preservation while creating a real estate and shopping center development business with national holdings - - and until just a few months ago, he was still fiddling and still developing real estate.  Fletcher Bright is a national treasure in the preservation of our historical heritage.”

She said many Chattanoogans are aware that in 1945 Fletcher Bright and his McCallie chums got together and began singing and playing Bluegrass music and that the Dismembered Tennesseans, led by Bright and his fiddle, have performed across the United States and in Europe. Many may not know that the group has performed in every venue from Bluegrass festivals to sharing the stage with major symphonies, including performances at the Kennedy Center and on a number of nationally-televised programs.

Linda Moss Mines, CJR’s Historic Preservation Chairman, said, “What many Chattanoogans also may not know is that Fletcher Bright has endowed several ‘fiddle programs’ to preserved the music of the Southern Appalachians and the British Isles, including a renowned seat at the Berkelee School of Music. He has devoted his personal time to teaching Bluegrass fiddle in camps and programs throughout the US, Canada and England for more than twenty-five years. As a  person who grew up hearing the old ballads and stirring music of the mountains, I am most impressed with his skillful recording of the notes and words of thousands of Bluegrass classic and relatively unknown ‘tunes’. Fletcher Bright knew that our history is important and that not all history is including in classroom texts.

"Our history is in the music of our ancestors and the stories that chronicle the ‘real history’ of the common people. He celebrated that heritage long before people became enthralled with genealogy and local folklore.

"Fletcher Bright was always one step ahead as he thought about music and it is our blessing that he not only helped to save the music but that he has shared his love of Bluegrass and mountain music with several generations who now regularly tap their toes to those melodic tunes heard on Sirius Bluegrass and at music festivals, including his beloved Three Sisters Festival here in Chattanooga.”

The DAR Historic Preservation Award must be approved by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution and the Chief John Ross Chapter assembled an impressive packet of support for the recognition of Fletcher Bright. Samantha Teter, Executive Director of the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera, writing in support noted that “Fletcher Bright has been a tremendous asset and stalwart supporter of the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera. His collaboration as a musician with the CSO has extended many years, as well as his financial support to the organization. Along with the Dismembered Tennesseans, the CSO recorded a CD several years ago that melded orchestral music with bluegrass - - a unique opportunity for a symphony orchestra. . . The CSO is a better organization because of Fletcher’s influence and support.” Dan Bowers, ArtsBuild President, echoed his support. “Fletcher Bright’s love of this music has manifested itself in countless ways. The band is a staple at numerous events in our region, ranging from an annual Independence Day performance before a crowd of 30,000 people to smaller venues - - all at no charge and all fueled by Fletcher’s passion for the preservation of this art form.”

Mary Larsen, Editor and Publisher of the international publication, Fiddler Magazine, captured Bright’s generosity and love of the music perfectly in her letter when she wrote, “Fletcher’s enthusiasm shows through whenever he puts bow to strings and whenever he is able to introduce the instrument, or a tune, to others. When we requested a few tune transcriptions to include with his Fiddler Magazine interview, he gladly sent them – along with about a hundred others for my personal use. As he said in that interview, “I do feel like it’s something we need to pass on and give back and share, and I think it’s vitally important for us to do that.””