The Music Plays On: Mountain City Fiddlers’ Convention Begins Its Second Century
One year after celebrating an extraordinary 100-year milestone, the Mountain City Fiddlers’ Convention is ready to strike up the music again.
And this year, we begin a whole new chapter.
The historic convention returns Friday and Saturday, October 2–3, 2026, to Heritage Hall Square in downtown Mountain City, Tennessee, for two days filled with old-time and bluegrass music, spirited competition, food, fellowship and family-friendly fun.
Best of all, admission is free for spectators.
Presented by The Kody Norris Show, the 2026 convention will feature six live performances by Denim & Plaid, The Kody Norris Show, Lonesome River Band, Remedy Tree, Carson Peters and Riders in the Sky, along with youth and adult competitions offering more than $12,000 in cash and prizes.
Among those prizes is something especially memorable: a custom Jason Barie fiddle valued at approximately $5,000, which will be awarded to the 2026 Grand Champion of the Fiddle-Off.
It is a fitting way to begin the second century of a gathering that helped shape the sound of American roots music.
Where Old-Time Music Found Its Voice
The story of the Mountain City Fiddlers’ Convention began in May 1925, when musicians gathered in this small Appalachian community for what would become one of the most important musical events in the region’s history.
Among the musicians associated with that early convention were “Fiddlin’ John” Carson, Charlie Bowman, Dudley “Fiddlin’ Dud” Vance, G.B. Grayson and Clarence Ashley—artists whose music would influence generations of old-time, country, bluegrass and Americana performers.
Through recordings made by those pioneering musicians, the sounds heard in Mountain City traveled far beyond Johnson County. Today, music historians recognize that early gathering as part of a remarkable period that introduced the distinctive music of East Tennessee and Appalachia to audiences across the country and around the world.
For generations, the Mountain City Fiddlers’ Convention remained a treasured community tradition—a place where musicians gathered to swap tunes, tell stories, compete for prizes and pass the music from one generation to the next.
Many people and organizations helped keep that tradition alive through the decades, including the Mountain City Rotary Club, Johnson County Chamber of Commerce, Doug and Jackie Warden, and countless volunteers and supporters. The Wardens hosted the convention for many years at Old Mill Music Park in Laurel Bloomery before the event entered a three-year hiatus during the pandemic.
In 2023, Mountain City native Kody Norris and The Kody Norris Show stepped forward to revive the convention and carry its legacy into a new era.
Known nationally for their high-energy performances, unmistakable vintage style and deep respect for traditional mountain music, the award-winning group has helped introduce both the convention and the musical heritage of Kody’s hometown to new audiences.
Another piece of convention history was made in 2024, when Timon Veelenturf of the Netherlands became the first international musician to win the Grand Champion Fiddle title.
Then came 2025.
Musicians, residents and visitors gathered in Mountain City for a once-in-a-century celebration honoring the convention’s past, recognizing the musicians who helped start it all and celebrating those who are carrying the tradition forward.
Now, the music continues.
Welcome to the second century of the Mountain City Fiddlers’ Convention—where old-time music found its voice.
Friday Night: Three Great Shows
The convention kicks off Friday evening, October 2, with three live performances on Heritage Hall Square:
6:00 PM — Denim & Plaid
7:00 PM — The Kody Norris Show
8:00 PM — Lonesome River Band
From rising regional talent to nationally known bluegrass performers, Friday night offers a full evening of music in the heart of downtown Mountain City.
Bring a chair, find your spot and settle in for a night of mountain music under the Tennessee sky.
Saturday: Competition, Music and the Grand Champion Fiddle-Off
Saturday begins with the musicians.
Registration opens at 8:00 AM inside Heritage Hall Theatre, with the Youth Contest beginning at 10:00 AM and the Adult Contest following at 1:00 PM.
Contestants should be registered, warmed up and ready to perform at least 15 minutes before their category begins.
Saturday Schedule
10:00 AM — Youth Contest
1:00 PM — Adult Contest
5:30 PM — Remedy Tree
6:30 PM — Carson Peters
7:30 PM — Riders in the Sky
8:00 PM — Awards
Competitors may enter a variety of individual instrument and performance categories throughout the day before the competition culminates with one of the convention’s most anticipated traditions—the Grand Champion Fiddle-Off.
The competition entry fee is $15 per person, per category, payable by cash or card. Contestants may compete in multiple categories, with a separate registration fee for each.
Individual contestants are prepared to perform two selections and may be accompanied by no more than two rhythm instruments. Depending on the number of contestants in a category, organizers reserve the right to limit performances to one selection.
Bands must include four to six registered contestants and will perform one instrumental selection and one vocal selection.
Traditional song selections are required, and electric instruments, wind instruments and percussion are not permitted.
Read more about the competition and rules prior to joining us!
More Than $12,000 in Cash and Prizes
The Mountain City Fiddlers’ Convention has always celebrated the musicians who keep traditional music alive, and the 2026 competition will offer more than $12,000 in cash and prizes.
At the center of this year’s prize package is a remarkable handcrafted instrument—a custom Jason Barie fiddle valued at approximately $5,000.
The fiddle will be awarded to the winner of the Grand Champion Fiddle Off, which brings together the top finalists from the youth and adult fiddle competitions.
Each finalist will perform one tune of choice before the judges select the 2026 Grand Champion.
Beyond the prizes, the competition represents something even more important: encouraging musicians of every generation—especially young musicians—to learn, perform and preserve the traditional music of Appalachia.
Come Hungry, Bring a Chair and Stay Awhile
The Fiddlers’ Convention is about much more than what happens on the stage.
It is a weekend for gathering.
Parking will be available near Heritage Hall Square within a short walk of the venue, and visitors are encouraged to bring their own chairs and arrive early.
Food trucks and other vendors will be on-site throughout the convention, along with opportunities to shop for official Mountain City Fiddlers’ Convention merchandise, The Kody Norris Show merchandise and merchandise from featured performers.
Limited quantities of collectible centennial merchandise are also still available, including the 100th anniversary poster and the remastered limited-edition album “A Fiddlers’ Convention: 1924–1930,” available on vinyl and CD.
All convention workshops are free and open to everyone and will be held inside Heritage Hall Theatre.
The convention will be held rain or shine. In the event of inclement weather, performances and competitions may be moved inside Heritage Hall Theatre.
Visitors traveling from outside the area can find lodging information through the Johnson County tourism website at JohnsonCountyTN.gov/places-to-stay.
Powered by Volunteers and Community Support
The Mountain City Fiddlers’ Convention is an all-volunteer effort.
Sponsorship and grant funding goes directly toward the hard costs of producing the event, including professional sound and staging, competition prizes, performer fees, printing, advertising and promotion.
That means the support of our sponsors and partners goes directly toward producing the convention, supporting musicians and competitors and, importantly, helping us continue to offer free admission for spectators.
We are deeply grateful to the businesses, organizations, foundations and individuals who are helping carry this tradition into its second century.
Supporters featured for the 2026 convention include the Tennessee Arts Commission, Johnson County Community Foundation, Ballad Health, Doe Valley Farm, Mullins Real Estate, Town of Mountain City, Forge Mountain Club, Humphrey Masonry, Kim Pope/State Farm, Kenny Fields, Wilson Madison, H&R Block, Stouts Plumbing, Kevin and Joan Kuhner, and Greg and Nancy Adams, along with additional convention sponsors and partners.
Any proceeds remaining after the event become seed funding for the following year’s convention, helping ensure this important piece of Johnson County’s musical heritage continues for generations to come.
2026 Mountain City Fiddlers’ Convention at a Glance
When: Friday and Saturday, October 2–3, 2026
Where: Heritage Hall Square, downtown Mountain City, Tennessee
Spectator Admission: FREE
Saturday Registration: Opens at 8:00 AM
Competition Fee: $15 per person, per category
Cash & Prizes: More than $12,000
Grand Champion Fiddle Prize: Custom Jason Barie fiddle valued at approximately $5,000
Facebook: Follow the Mountain City Fiddlers’ Convention for updates
A century ago, musicians gathered in Mountain City and helped give a distinctive Appalachian sound a larger stage.
One hundred and one years later, fiddles are still being tuned, young musicians are still learning the old songs and people are still gathering to hear music that connects one generation to another.
So come early.
Bring your chair.
Stay awhile.
And join us October 2–3 as the Mountain City Fiddlers’ Convention begins its second century—where old-time music found its voice.Two days of free concerts, spirited competition and Appalachian tradition will bring nationally celebrated performers and musicians from across the region to Mountain City, Tennessee.
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