Granite Quarry Fiddlers Convention is Saturday

Matthew Weaver is being honored at this year's Granite Quarry Fiddlers Convention.

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Matthew Weaver of Salisbury will be honored at this year’s Granite Quarry Fiddlers Convention Oct. 1 at East Rowan High School’s auditorium. This is theconvention’s 45th year.

Weaver is being recognized for his outstanding and dedicated service in the field of old time and bluegrass music. Born in 1972 in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsyvania, Weaver moved to North Carolina in 1984. He comes from a musical family and plays 19 different instruments, including the piano, which he began playing at age 3. He’s traveled throughout the country performing bluegrass and country music shows, including Dollywood.

In April of this year, he made his debut performance on the Grand Ole Opry. He is actively involved with the Appalachia Heritage Council and Doc Watson endowment for Appalachian studies and Music.

Weaver will be making another appearance at the Grand Ole Opry this fall and will be assisting in numerous projects at the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Weaver is completing a bachelor of science degree in Appalachian studies with a concentration in Appalachian, bluegrass, country and folk music at Appalachian State University.

In the mid 1990s, Weaver was an active member of the Granite Quarry Civitan for several years and enjoyed working with his colleagues.

“I am humbled and honored to receive this award from the Granite Quarry Civitan Club,” Weaver said. “Through their continuous hard work and dedication, they make our community a better place to live. And I express my appreciation to Vivian Hopkins for the wonderful friendship through the years and for her continuous labor to promote and preserve bluegrass and country music.”

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The festival started small in 1966 and was held at Granite Quarry Elementary School. Since then, it’s grown to utilize the entire campus of East Rowan High School.

The original idea for the festival came from James Mathis, then principal of Granite Quarry Elementary. His vision was inspired by the original Union Grove Fiddlers’ Convention, in which he was involved.

The festival continues to be the major fundraiser for the Granite Quarry Civitans.

At this year’s convention, contestants from all over the Carolinas and Virginia will compete for $1,700 in cash awards, plus trophies and rosettes awarded to the best bands, fiddler, banjo picker, guitarist, mandolin player, bass player, dobro and vocal. There will also be rosettes for the most promising talent for ages 12-16 and 11 and under.

Bands, vocals and most promising talent interested in participating may call 704-633-5940 or 704-267-9439 for information. Registration will begin at 4:30 p.m. Most promising talent under 16 competition will begin at 6:30 p.m. Band and individual over 16 competitions will follow.

Keny Poovy of Academy Street Productions from Maiden, will provide the sound services.

Admission is $8 for adults, $2 for children 6-12 and children under 6 are free.

The Civitans will be serving their famous barbecue chicken, plus hamburgers, hot dogs and homemade desserts in the school cafeteria from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. and from 4 p.m. until.

Proceeds will go to Civitan projects, including Special Olympics, Boys and Girls Homes, people with developmental disabilities, Victory Junction Gang Camp, Civitan International Research Center, scholarships, local school programs and community activities.

More information is available at www.GraniteQuarryFiddlers.com