CALIFORNIA STATE OLD TIME FIDDLERS ASSOCIATION DISTRICT #5

Califonia State Old Time Fiddlers Association, District 5 (CSOTFA #5) is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) U.S. IRS # 23-7288853, charitable corporation formed to educate about and perpetuate the art and culture of Old Time Fiddle Music. We are dedicated to preserving and enjoying authentic old-time music, providing a welcoming place for musicians of all levels to jam and perform, and passing down the traditions of old-time country, folk, and bluegrass music to our families, friends, and interested musicians.


      2023 Jam Schedule   

January 8
February 12
March 12
April 9
May 14
June 11
July 9
August 13
September 10
October 8
November 12
December 10

Notice

CSOTFA Members: Another month has slipped by. It's already time for our March Jam to be held next Sunday, March 12th at the Orangevale Grange, 5807 Walnut Ave, Orangevale, Ca 95662. Official hours will be from 1:00 to 4:00 pm but if you want some extra playing time we should be ready to go around noon. A reminder that our annual fiddle contest/ get together at Lodi is coming up in April so make plans to attend: Whether you participate in the contests, go to catch up with old friends, or just enjoy outstanding music, or any and all of the aforementioned, start making your plans now.

For those of you who don't get the Soundpost (a CSOTFA Report detailing & updating activity at the state level that includes individual reports from each of our Districts) I am going to include our submission for this issue.

At our last Jam in February I became aware that not all of our members are familiar with the many internet fiddle resources that are easily accessible and available to help us improve and develop our fiddling skills. These sources can greatly expand our knowledge of old time fiddling tunes & of old time music. I am just going to list several sites that I have found very helpful in giving you access to hundreds of old time tunes! These sites are easy to Google or to find using your particular search engine.

My number one favorite: 641 Fiddle Tunes-Jim's Roots & Blues Calendar. At Jim's you can select a song and it will bring up a sheet music version of that song! Also it has a video (sometimes more than one) of persons or groups performing the song.

A similar site: Old Time Fiddle Tunes. This site has over 850 traditional fiddle tunes in a little different format & style than Jim's but with the same basic options. Neither of these sites of course has every song you may be looking for but they provide a wealth of fiddle material!

Finally I would like to bring up a positive CSOTFA human resource that is available to all of us: Go to YouTube Search and enter Fiddle Supporter (Lyle Dixson). You will not be disappointed. Lyle has videoed years & years of fiddle contests in all parts of our country as well as numerous informal fiddle jams. In fact if you have been in a fiddle contest chances are good that you will be in one of Lyle's presentations. If you are scoping out the competition or just like listening to & viewing fantastic performances this is the site for you! Hats off to you Lyle for all of your hard work & dedication!

Thanks! Jeff Gebhart: District#5 President

Photos from November Jam

November 2022

CALIFORNIA STATE OLD TIME FIDDLERS ASSOCIATION DISTRICT # 5
Typical Jam Schedule 12:OO to 4:00 P.M.

12:00 NOON TO 1:00 P.M. ---BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING IN COTTAGE.
12:00 NOON TO 1:00 P.M. ---OPEN MIKE ON STAGE.
1:00 P.M.---FULL STAGE ASSEMBLY OPENING WITH THE SINGING OF GOD BLESS AMERICA.
1:15 P.M. TO 2:00 P.M.---STAGE PERFORMERS FROM SIGN UP BOARD.
MEETING ROOM
2:00 P.M.---FIDDLE KIDS PERFORMERS FROM SIGN UP BOARD.
3:00 P.M.--- FULL STAGE ASSEMBLY WITH TWO FIDDLE TUNES AND ONE VOCALIST.
ALL AFTERNOON---THE OAK TREE GANG JAM OUT FRONT AND THE BACK FORTY GANG JAM BEHIND THE GRANGE HALL.
1:00 P.M. TO 4:00 P.M.---DOOR PRIZE DRAWINGS EVERY FIFTEEN
MINUTES (TWO TICKETS EACH DRAWING). WINNERS’ NAMES POSTED ABOVE PRIZE DISPLAY TABLE.
4:00 P.M. --- CASH DRAWING. (WINNING TICKET MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN).
· Donate to the Fiddle Kitty at the front door.
· Buy  Drawing Tickets at 3 tickets for $1.00 or 20 for $5.00 and donate door
   prizes for the drawings. Cash drawing at 4:00 p.m. Must be present to win.

Buy items for sale at our Membership Table:
· Membership Roster $2.00
· Standing Rules $1.00
· Name Badge $5.00
· Cassette Tapes __________________ $7.00
· Cds___________________________ $10.00

· Help cleanup at closing time but not until all the entertainers are off the stage.
 If you are a CSOTFA Dist #5 member
 and wish to receive the Fiddlers Facts news letter please send email to