Katrina Nicolayeff from Meridian, Idaho was named the 2022 “Tennessee Valley Fiddle Champion” at the 55th annual Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention held at Athens State University on Saturday night.
As the top fiddler, Nicolayeff not only won the title of Alabama State Fiddle Champion but also the Convention’s top prize of $2,000. Justin Branum from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, who was the 2021 Fiddle Champion, finished runner-up.
The 2022 Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention was presented by Aetos Systems, Inc., with stage sponsorships by Pettus Plumbing and Piping (Brown Hall Stage) and Blake Williams Communications (Delmore Brothers Stage). Other sponsors included Redstone Federal Credit Union, Bank Independent, Nanny’s Old Fashion Lemonade, Pepsi, Listerhill Credit Union, The Orthopaedic Center (TOC), Breeze Airways/Huntsville International Airport, and Johnston RV.
The Convention contributes to Athens State by funding student scholarships and University projects. This project was made possible in part by a grant from the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area.
Music fans are encouraged to save the date for the 56th annual Fiddlers Convention, which will be held Thursday, October 5 through Saturday, October 7 in 2023.