Our boys were SO excited when Dad said we would stay an extra day in Galax, Virginia to let them compete in the world’s oldest fiddle festival band competition. When we got there, they signed up and found out they had to have a fiddle and guitar in the band to compete. Their sisters couldn’t help, as they are too old for the youth competition. So… off they went in search of some kids to fill the slots. Two were found in the Larkey family of Johnson City, Tennessee. Adam-13- would play guitar (fiddle is really his main instrument), and his 9 year old sister, Sarah Grace, would sing lead on ‘Tennessee Waltz’. Now they still needed a fiddle player. Would you believe they found an amazing 6 year old fiddler, Carson Peters, from Piney Flats, TN. Carson, by the way, took the 1st place trophy for Old Time Fiddle! The band was formed, and my girls started working with the group and prepping them for the competition in a few short hours. Carson had never heard ‘Ruby’ that my boys sing, but he quickly came up with a fiddle lick and back up. And my boys hadn’t played ‘Tennessee Waltz’, but they all learned it and came up with instrument breaks, too. The long awaited time of the band competitions came, and they were 7th in line. The youngest band of the night, and they tore it up with a rousing, 3 part harmony ‘Ruby’ by the Osborne Brothers. The crowd went wild, gave them a standing ovation, and yelled ‘MORE!’. The 2nd song was ‘Tennessee Waltz’, kicked off by 6 year old Carson on the fiddle. As soon as Sarah Grace opened her mouth to sing, the crowd went wild again. She was a 9 year old version of Patsy Cline. What a voice! Again, a standing ovation at the end and the crowd cheered wildly. A couple hours of waiting, and the awards ceremony began. Carson won his first place ribbon for Old Time fiddle. Adam Larkey won 3rd for his Bluegrass Fiddle. Then the 5 top bands were called up. ‘Deer Creek’ (as the kids had called the band for the day) was one of the 5 called to the stage! 5th place was announced, and they still stood there; 4th place next, 3rd, and then 2nd… DEER CREEK! There was much excitement on and off stage. The kids did an outstanding job-2nd place for a band formed that afternoon, made up of kids ages 13, 11, 9, 9, 7, and 6. And it was the Walker Boys first ever competition. They’re ready to do more!!!!

Dad prepping the boys for the competition.  Who do you think is more excited- the boys or Dad?!?!

Walker Boys as part of ‘Deer Creek’ singing ‘Ruby’.

Deer Creek awaiting their fate, left to right:  Sean Walker, Adam Larkey, Sarah Grace Larkey, Ammon Walker, Carson Peters (other kids from 1st place band waiting behind)… not pictured, Joseph Walker

Happy Walker Boys with their 2nd Place Ribbon.  Way to go!