Playing a crucial role
By Ronald Bond - Argus Observer
Wednesday, June 20, 2007 11:42 AM PDT
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| Rod Anderson (right) works with fiddler Trevor Whitaker during warm-ups at the National Oldtime Fiddlers’ Contest and Festival Tuesday in Weiser. Anderson is one of about 70 people who dedicate their time at the festival by stepping in as accompanists. |
Weiser - While the fiddle players are the main attraction at the National Oldtime Fiddlers’ Contest and Festival, the accompanists also play an important role.
The accompanists play the backup beat, but the fiddler usually gets the glory at the end of the day. However, the accompanists, whether they play guitar, bass or banjo are key pieces to making sure everything goes smoothly.
“Accompanying is definitely very crucial,” 2006 national grand champion Tristan Clarridge said. “With this Texas style of fiddling, it’s developed around how the fiddle matches the guitar rhythm.”
Rod Anderson has been to the festival for 20 years, all as an accompanist. He, like Clarridge, said keeping a rhythm is perhaps the most important part of being an accompanist.
“They have to start at a certain speed, and it’s our job to keep them there,” Anderson said. “I’m trying to help them play the best they can so it’s a fun experience for them.”
Anderson added, more often than not, the fiddlers are nervous because of the pressure, and he feels by being there, it helps them stay calm on stage, as well as keep the right tempo.
“I just try to make myself available (to the contestants),” he said.
Clarridge also steps into the role of accompanist when called upon, and having seen it from both perspectives, agrees it does help having people on stage with the fiddler.
“Just another important role is for moral support,” he said. “Makes it a lot more fun.”
Fiddler Gary Lee Moore has been competing at the festival for more than 30 years and knows the importance of a good accompanist, which is why he also lends a hand to fellow contestants when he’s not playing or judging.
“I’ve come here 30-some times, and I always backup people who ask me,” he said.
“For me personally, (an accompanist) is extremely important. It’s picking the right one that can keep your speed and has the right rhythm. To me, it makes it music. It gives it a rhythm and a pulse. It’d be really boring without guitar players.”
More than 70 accompanists are either already in Weiser or will be in town throughout the week.
Everyone knows how critical this task is, and the ones who make the trip to play accompanist fulltime are looked at highly by some of the contestants.
“It’s amazing how people like Rod commit themselves for the whole week,” Clarridge said.
It’s not just Anderson who plays such a vital role each year.
“Weiser has some of the best accompanists, and all of them will play with you,” Moore said.
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