49th Fiddlers Convention “Fiddle Champ” is Crowned

Mark Ralph was named “Fiddle Champion” at the 49th annual Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention at Athens State University Saturday night on the Alabama Farmer’s Cooperative Main Stage. The Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention is the home of the Alabama State Fiddle Champion.

Mark Ralph of Somerville, Alabama, won the title by winning the “fiddle off” which pits the top fiddlers from the junior, intermediate, and senior divisions. Andrew Lin of Lexington, Kentucky finished runner-up. Ralph, who won the intermediate fiddle division, earned the convention’s top prize of $1,000.

The convention is sponsored by the Athens State University Foundation and the Greater Limestone County Chamber of Commerce. The convention has contributed more than $500,000 to Athens State to fund student scholarships and University projects.