Mark Ralph (right) of Huntsville, Ala. won the Randall Franks Trophy at the 1890s Days Jamboree May 24. In the fiddle off, he faced John Boulware winner of the 16-21 category, of Kimball, Tenn., who placed second, and Mack Snoderly of Clyde, N.C., winner of the 51 and up category who placed third. From left are Boulware, Snoderly, Franks and Ralph. (Contributed photo by Butch Lanham) Rob Pearcy of Smyrna, Tenn. won the guitar competition. He also placed second in the 51 and up fiddle competition and received the Backup Musician Award. (Contributed photo by Butch Lanham) The team clogging competition at the 1890s Days Jamboree May 24 was won by Harpeth River of Franklin, Tenn. Fusion of Springfield, Tenn., took second place and Jackson Hollow of Franklin, Tenn., won third place.(Contributed photo by Randall Franks)

Ringold, GA — Fiddlers, guitarists and cloggers from five states descended on Ringgold, Ga. May 24 to compete in the 1890s Days Jamboree Fiddlers Contest.

Twenty-six fiddlers rosined up their bows and more than 40 cloggers kicked up their heels to win over $5,500 in prize money on the Ringgold Telephone Co. stage in the historic Ringgold Depot. The event was also sponsored by Ringgold Chrysler Dodge Jeep.

“We are so enthusiastic about how much our event is growing with not only new contestants but more top-talent competitors in all categories,” said event chairman Lewis Taylor. “We saw a great deal of talent on this stage from toddlers to seniors giving their all.”

Taylor is a champion harmonica player holding titles from several states and numerous contests.

Dr. Mark Ralph of Huntsville, Ala, won the Randall Franks Trophy at the 1890s Days Jamboree May 24.

Ralph first won his 22-50-age category for the chance to compete. Ralph is a two-time top-ten winner in the Grand Master Fiddler Championship and holds several contest championships.

In the fiddle off, he faced John Boulware of Kimball, Tenn. from 16-21 age category, who placed second, and Mack Snoderly of Clyde, N.C., winner of the 51 and up category who placed third.

The top prize is named in honor of Appalachian Ambassador of the Fiddle Randall Franks, “Officer Randy Goode” from TV’s “In the Heat of the Night.”

He cheered the top three competitors on in their bid to win the Randall Franks Trophy and the $500 prize and then presented the winners on the main stage.

Once holding the title of Georgia State Bluegrass Champion, the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame inductee is a former member of Bill Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys, Jim and Jesse Virginia Boys and numerous other groups who as a solo performer often shared his talents for the Grand Ole Opry.

“This year we saw energetic and innovative performers carrying on the traditions of Appalachia through their love of the fiddle, guitar or dance,” he said. “It is so gratifying to see so many youth step on the stage and compete. It was in fiddle contests like this that I got my first chances at performing and growing in my music. That makes a big difference in a young person’s life.”

The team clogging competition was won by Harpeth River of Franklin, Tenn. with Fusion of Springfield, Tenn., taking second place; Jackson Hollow of Franklin, Tenn., winning third place.

The next 1890s Days Jamboree Fiddlers Contest will be Memorial Day weekend Saturday 2009 at the Ringgold Depot in Ringgold. For more information about the annual event, visit 1890sDayJamboree.com.

1890s Days Jamboree Fiddle Contest winners listed first, second and  third:

Fiddlers:

• Ages 10 and under:
  1. Emma DeJarnette of Snellville, Ga.;
  2. Raygan Sellars of Ashland City, Tenn.;
  3. Kelcy Tomlin of Springfield, Tenn.
• Ages 11-15:
  1. Alex Tomlinson of Suches, Ga.;
  2. Greer Kimbell of Murfreesboro, Tenn.;
  3. Deborah Taylor of Ringgold, Ga.
• Ages 16-21:
  1. John Boulware of Kimball, Tenn.
  2. Doug Fleener of Leitchfield, Ky. \
  3. Aerin DeJarnette of Snellville, Ga.
• Ages 22-50:
  1. Mark Ralph of Huntsville, Ala.
  2. Bill Jones of Martin, Tenn.
  3. Doug Carson of Flintstone, Ga.
• Ages 51 and up:
  1. Mack Snoderly of Clyde, N.C.,
  2. Rob Pearcy of Smyrna, Tenn.
  3. Glenn Fletcher of Dalton, Ga.

Cloggers:

• 10 and under:
  1. Raygan Sellars of Ashland City, Tenn.
  2. Shelby Dunn of Fairview, Tenn.
  3. Kelsea Robertson of Greenbrier, Tenn.
• Ages 11-21:
  1. Chris Stewart of Lyles, Tenn.
  2. Sierra Tomlin of Springfield, Tenn.
  3. Kelly Eicher of Allensville, Ky.
• Ages 21-30:
  1. Jennifer Campbell of Fairview, Tenn.
• Ages 31 and up:
  1. Tommy Jackson of Franklin, Tenn.
  2. Jay Bland of Kennesaw, Ga.
  3. Angela Craft of LaFayette, Ga.

Guitar:

1. Rob Pearcy of Smryna, Tenn.
2. Flave Heart of Arden, NC
3. Wesley Crider of Ringgold, Ga.