Sixteen year old, Daniel Rothwell is a natural entertainer
Article and photos by Drew Moody
Whether you preferred a formal music program in the air conditioned Glenville State College (GSC) Fine Arts Center, or walk throughout the downtown area and hear musicians jamming along the streets and sidewalks, or watching the evening square-dancing...there was something for everyone.
Late Saturday afternoon Rebecca McClung and Gene Burgy of the Union Valley Bluegrass Band were sitting on the sidewalk between the post office and bank entrance playing tunes. Both used hand-crafted instruments they created. Burgy, of Elizabeth, is a well-known instrument maker who is teaching McClung, of Parkersburg, the art.
Buddy Griffin, GSC's dean of bluegrass, put together two nights of impressive performances, Friday and Saturday evening. Musical guests included Lester McCumbers, Tracy Schwarz, Ginny Hawker, Jesse Milnes, Alan Freeman, Frank George, the Samples Brothers, Dave Bing, George "the Earl of Elkview" Daugherty, David O'Dell and Daniel Rothwell.
The Earl of Elkview
George Daugherty is well-known throughout West Virginia, both as an attorney and entertainer. Perhaps there are times when the two professions are only separated by degrees.
Buddy Griffin (L) and George Daugherty
Dressed in patriotic red, white and blue Daugherty played "Danny Boy" on a handsaw blade using a fiddle bow without missing a note.
He reminded the audience both holidays Father's Day and Mother's Day began in West Virginia.
And, at 77, he still practices law at his Daugherty Law Office in Kanawha County.
Daniel Rothwell
At 16, Rothwell is a natural entertainer. He was immediately drawn to banjo music - even as a toddler. At 11 he began teaching himself to play. And now, five years later the sky's the limit for this young man.
An appreciative audience gave him a standing ovation Saturday evening.
He's already a veteran of the famous Ryman Auditorium stage, is writing a screenplay and will be part of a documentary about his grandfather, Thomas Maupin. Maupin is a six-time national buck-dance champion specializing in a flat-foot style.
Fiddle and Banjo Contests
Bows were smoking as a scores of talented musicians vied for honors in the "over 50" and "under 50" divisions. The respective contests were held Friday and Saturday afternoons.
Friends and co-workers Bob Smakula and Andy Fitzgibbon of Elkins were honored for their mastery of both instruments.
Andy Fitzgibbon
Lester McCumbers
Lester McCumbers of Nicut (Calhoun County) took top honors in the elder fiddle contest. Betty Vornbrock of Hillsville, VA placed second and Bob Smakula of Elkins took third.
In the "over 50" banjo division Bob Smakula of Elkins took first. Taking second place was Carl Baron of Gwynned, PA with Eugene Parsons of Orma captured third.
In the "under 50" fiddle contest Andy Fitzgibbon of Elkins took first, Jesse Milnes of Nashville took second and Aaron Marshall of Galax, VA was awarded third.
Winners in the "under 50" banjo contests were Andy Fitzgibbon of Elkins, Gretta Van Doren of Elkins captured second and Ben Townsend of Romney took third place honors.
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