Hoppin' John Fiddlers' Convention

Big thanks to Gregory Krolick AKA Buffalo Hoynas Jr. (@dearhoynas ) for the 2026 Hoppin’ John Fiddlers’ Convention art. This year’s piece features well-known old time music duo Burnett & Rutherford. Stay tuned to HoppinJohn.org and our social media channels for more information on this year’s event! 🎻🪕

What a weekend! Thank you to every musician, dancer, singer, and cook who shared their talent at the 18th Annual Hoppin’ John Fiddlers’ Convention this year. The level of artistry, flavor, and joy was off the charts. 🎶💃🪕🍲 Another huge thank-you goes to all the volunteers, staff, instructors, vendors, performers, judges, and other crew members who made this year’s event run smoothly. Hoppin’ John wouldn’t be as special without a dedicated community of folks giving it life. Here are this year’s winners. Congratulations to all and we’ll see y’all next year at Shakori Hills! 🌲✨ (If we misspelled your name, send us a message and we’ll get it fixed!) Mandolin 1 Alex Meredith 2 Zeb Gambill 3 Daniel Ullom Bass 1 Michael Plumley Guitar 1 Zeb Gambill 2 Andre Gruber 3 Jen Maurer Song Duets 1 Emilyn Bishop & Maggie Thornton 2 Gray Buchanan & Duck Ryan 3 Marshall Brown & John Duncan Folk Song 1 Gray Buchanan 2 Jeanie Thieken 3 Duck Ryan Banjo 1 Duck Ryan 2 Lucian Stewart 3 Dale Stansberry Fiddle 1 Ben Kiser 2 Nathan Vargo 3 Willow Keasler Instrument Duo 1 Henri Clarke & Rachel Dunaway 2 Nathan Vargo & Andrew Walker 3 Erynn Marshall & Carl Jones Adult Dance 1 Phil Jamison 2 Nathan Vargo 3 Kelsey Sutton Youth Fiddle 1 Miles Kexel 2 Ruby Lou King 3 Jack Sawyer Youth Other Instrument 1 Miles Kexel 2 Layla Sawyer 3 Hannah Boggs Youth Dance 1 Eden Kexel 2 Miles Kexel 3 Alice Lewis Old-Time Band 1 Skinny Creek 2 Cool As Grits 3 Bull Moose Party Bluegrass Band 1 The Craggy Mountaineers 2 Birdsong Non-Traditional Band 1 The Blackout Susies 2 Supercritter 3 The Jam Busters Cook-Off 1 Wilder Hog in the Backwoods 2 Squirrels Gone Wild 3 Banjos, Beans & Rice Quilt Raffle Winner Mike Caudill 🎉

🎶✨ Thank you to our incredible sponsors who helped make Hoppin’ John possible this year! ✨🎶 We’re deeply grateful for the support of: 🍻 bmc brewing • 🏡 Aspire Homes 🎵 PineCone - Piedmont Council of Traditional Music • 🛒 Chatham Marketplace • 🚻 Chatham Portables • 🎨 Chatham Arts Council 🎨 North Carolina Arts Council • 🥕 Wegmans • 🪳 TickWarriors • 💃🕺 Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival of Music and Dance Your generosity keeps the spirit of Hoppin’ John alive—bringing people together to celebrate music, dance, food, and community. We couldn’t do it without you.

Hey y’all! A dear friend of the festival lost this chair this weekend and we’re wondering if anyone picked it up. If you have it, please send us a message. Thanks!

Nothing beats the joy of folks coming together around this music. The photos and videos from the weekend say it all. Here’s a great one: Henri Clarke & Rachel Dunaway, first-place winners in the Instrument Duo contest. Check out that ✋ switchup on Old Joe Clark! @henri.png @bumdiddy_your_banjo Got moments to share from the weekend? Tag us—we’d love to see! #oldtimemusic #oldtimefiddle #banjo #oldjoeclark #stringbandmusic #banjopickin #clawhammerbanjo #fiddletunes #oldtimejam #traditionalmusic #musiccontest #rootsmusic

It’s a beautiful NC day! At 12:30 I’ll be sitting in with a Grateful Dead Tribute Band at the @ncfolkfestival / AND at 6:30 I’ll be playing with @forrotriangulo at @hjfiddle . @courtneyallenc will lead a dance class followed by live music with this pictured band @courtneyallenc @simonebaronesaoficial @rebeccakleinmannmusic minus @gaston.reggio and Ethan Foote and plus @syncopathy Jesse Brooke. The version of @forrotriangulo in the foto will be @arcanadurham on Sept 21st. 🇧🇷🎶❤️🎶 🇧🇷

Hoppin’ John Fiddler’s Convention, find #homebucha in the Coffee Barn next to Sal’s Pizza all weekend 🎻 🎻 🎻 . . . #kombucha @hjfiddle @shakorihills @shakorihillsgrassroots

We’re all smiles as we begin the 18th Annual Hoppin’ John Fiddlers’ Convention here at @shakorihills Community Arts Center! A big thank you to the staff, volunteers, sponsors, and YOU for making HJ happen every year. 💪 Which part of the schedule are you most looking forward to? 📸 Photo by Todd E. Gaul.

Our countdown to #ChathamCelebratesAmerica250 continues with this weekend’s @HJFiddle Convention at @ShakoriHills . Now in its 18th year, the Hoppin’ John Fiddlers Convention is a beloved regional event, bringing together families and music lovers for a fun and educational weekend. Performers compete in contests spanning a wide range of categories, all culminating in the Old-Time, Bluegrass, and Non-Traditional Band Contests Saturday evening. Another convention highlight is Friday night’s concert. First, @RichieAndRosie take the stage with a multi-generational variation on traditional Americana, old-time, and folk music. The duo will be followed by four-time Grammy-nominated fiddler, singer, accordionist, and songwriter @Cedric.Watson_Bijou.Creole , playing Creole melodies, modern Cajun and Zydeco, and an occasional bluegrass or old string band number. Performers and festival-goers alike will also enjoy: 🎻 Saturday Showcases from @WeAreTheRedHotsBand , “Singing the Gospel, II”, and “The Music of Joe Thompson & The Thompson Family” featuring Wayne Martin and Margaret Martin, @CountryGentlemanCooks , master old-time fiddler Earl White (@FiddlinEarlWhite ), and Molly Stouten. 🪕 A variety of music and dance workshops like Old-Time Fiddling with @FiddlinEarlWhite , Cajun Fiddle with @Cedric.Watson_Bijou.Creole , and Brazilian Forró Dancing with @ForroTriangulo . 🫑 Samples from the Hoppin’ John Cook-Off. All activities will pause at 3:30pm on Saturday for tasting and judging. 🎪 Clogging, flatfooting, and square dancing. 🎞️ Film screenings. 🎨 Crafts, activities, workshops, and contests for kids of all ages. 🍻 Plenty of great food and drink, including local beer from @bmcbrewing . DETAILS 👇 This event takes place outdoors. Vehicle and tent camping are available in designated areas. 📍1439 Henderson Tanyard Road, Pittsboro, NC 27312 📆 Thursday, September 11-Saturday, September 13, 2025 See link in bio for tickets and additional details. #VisitPittsboro #ChathamCountyNC #NCMusic #FiddlersConvention #OldTimeNC #GospelNC #BluegrassNC #ChathamNCAmerica250

🎸✨ Old-Time Finger Style Guitar with Lightnin’ Wells ✨🎸 Take a deep dive into the tradition of old-time finger style guitar with the legendary Lightnin’ Wells. This workshop will focus on classic guitar methods taught through timeless songs like “Cannon Ball Blues,” “Railroad Bill,” and “Step It Up and Go.” Whether you’re polishing your style or just eager to learn from a master, you’ll come away with techniques and tunes to carry forward in your own playing. 📅 Friday, 3:30pm 📍 Workshop Tent, Hoppin’ John Fiddlers Convention, @shakorihills Community Arts Center Don’t miss this chance to sit down and learn from one of the best!

🎵✨ Intermediate Clawhammer Banjo with Riley Baugus ✨🎵 Banjo players, this one’s for you! Join Riley Baugus for an intermediate-level clawhammer banjo workshop where you’ll learn a new tune, pick up some fresh techniques, and—most importantly—have fun. Riley’s teaching style makes it easy to walk away with skills you didn’t have before and inspiration to keep picking. 📅 Saturday, 4:30pm 📍 Workshop Tent, Hoppin’ John Fiddlers Convention, @shakorihills Community Arts Center Bring your banjo and get ready to grow your playing!

🎶✨ Gospel Quartet Singing at Hoppin’ John ✨🎶 Join Ed Norman & Tim Wells for a special singing workshop exploring the rich traditions of gospel quartets. You’ll learn songs from both the Black Jubilee and Old-Time traditions, including a powerful number from local legends, the Gospel Jubilators. And for a twist—you’ll also work on something a little “spooky” from the mountains, blending harmony and history in one unforgettable session. 📅 Saturday, 11am 📍 Workshop Tent, Hoppin’ John Fiddlers Convention, @shakorihills Community Arts Center Come raise your voice and be part of a joyful sound!