Birthday celebration for Charlie Acuff
If you’re a fan of traditional country, a historian who fondly recalls the days of the old WNOX radio show “Mid Day Merry Go Round” or even just someone who likes to hear a fiddle being played, then clear your calendar for next Saturday, Dec. 12. There’s a celebration taking place marking the 90th birthday of Charlie Acuff. Here’s what we received this morning:
Charlie Acuff will soon celebrate his 90th Birthday. He is one of Tennessee’s most cherished “living legends” and “musical treasures” (and is a second cousin to country music legend Roy Acuff). He is the beloved “left handed fiddler” and elder statesman of Knoxville’s old-time music scene and is revered in “Old Time String Band” Circles. Charlie has been a recipient of the prestigious Tennessee Governor’s Heritage Award, was bestowed the 1st Annual Nashville Old-Time String Band Association’s Heritage Award, and has performed on “A Prairie Home Companion”, as well as regularly performed as the “resident fiddler” at the ”Museum of Appalachia”.
Charlie and his “Friends” are excited to invite everyone to help him celebrate this momentous occasion in his life at his 90th Birthday Celebration hosted by owners Lowell and Brenda Hamby at Music Row of Maryville, 2808 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway in Maryville.
This “Special Evening with Charlie Acuff and Friends” will be held on Saturday, December 12th at “Music Row” and there will be a nominal donation requested of $3 at the door. Although this will be an informal event, Charlie is planning to perform on stage at 8 pm and will be participating in an open “jam session” with anyone who would like to bring their instruments to join in the fun. There will be other stage performances by local musicians that evening as well.
Some of Charlie’s “Friends” planning to attend and will “jam” and play with him “on stage” are:
Rebekah Weiler (claw-hammer banjo)
Current Winner of the “Old-Time Banjo” Champion title at the Bluegrass & Old-Time Fiddler’s Convention (Mt. Airy, NC)
She also won the State of Kentucky Old-Time Banjo Championship.
She became the first female in the 36-year-history of The Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree (Smithville, TN.) to win the title of “Old-Time Banjo Champion” as well as in the State of Tennessee at Clarksville.
Rebekah has held titles for “Old-Time Banjo” from the Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention (Athens, Alabama) and the West Tennessee Fiddler’s Championship.
In 2006, she became an endorsing artist with Gold Tone instruments.
She has been invited by the “Country Music Hall of Fame” in Nashville to present an “Old-Time Banjo” Demonstration on November 29th, 2009.
Joseph Decosimo (fiddle and banjo)
Has won the National Old Time Banjo Champion,
Uncle Dave Macon Days Old Time Fiddle Champion,
Tennessee Valley Fiddler’s Convention Old Time Fiddle Champion,
Tennessee Valley Fiddler’s Convention Old Time String Band Champion … (and more).
John Alvis (guitar and fiddle) from the “Museum of Appalachia”
Juanita Johnson (bass) member of the popular “That Girl Band”
Red Hickey and Matt Morelock and other Friend’s are from Charlie’s many performances on WDVX’s “Blue Plate Special” planning to attend.
John Rice Irwin and Carlock Stookesbury and other friends from the “Museum of Appalachia” are planning to attend)
Lowell and Brenda Hamby (owners), Terry Nell Morris (fiddle) and other FRIENDS from “Music Row”
Show up and celebrate. And happy early birthday, Charlie.