Jul 29, 2010


15-year-old singer Jessie Treneer of Kingston took home the Championship award at the FOTMC

Now in its third year, the Frontenac Old Time Country Music Championships is attracting more competitors, guest artists, music enthusiasts and local sponsors than ever before.

Founded and organized by Joan and Roy Shepherd, who also founded the bi-weekly Bedford jam sessions, the FOTMC are in Joan's words “the best way we can think of to keep old time music alive in the younger generations.”

This year competitive classes were again offered Saturday and Sunday to various age groups in singing, fiddle, banjo, mandolin and guitar classes and a total of 31 musicians and singers competed, with this year seeing a dramatic rise in the number of young singers who turned out to compete. Cash awards are given to the top three winners of each class.

In an effort to give competitors a fair chance, each successive year a new panel of judges is chosen. This year’s panel was comprised of Laura Shurrock, fiddle/mandolin judge, an experienced player trained in the Suzuki method who currently teaches at the Renaissance Music Studio in Kingston; musician and teacher Tom Thomson who plays currently in the Jon Kot Band and Redneck Blvd., judging guitar/mandolin; and lastly Ralph McInnes judging vocals.

In an effort to accommodate the increased crowds, which totaled 225 over the weekend, the event was moved from the Piccadilly hall in Godfrey to the Bedford hall on Westport Road, which offers a raised stage, more seating, workshop space and more parking.

Also new this year were the Saturday fiddle workshops held in the basement of the hall with Mary Kennedy of the band “Irish Roots” instructing beginners; Nova Scotian-born fiddle and guitar player Ian Tracy teaching intermediate level players; and singer/song writer and multi-instrumentalist Brian Flynn, best known for his CBC sports theme song “Free”, teaching the advanced players. For a fee of $35 workshop participants spent an entire day learning various new tunes along with many well-known special tricks of the trade.

Throughout the weekend an impressive roster of guest artists performed in between the competitive classes. Dallas Daisy Arney, Derek Matson, June Nixon, Mark and Sharon Alton and Anna Marie Robidoux of “Jericho” and Barry and Sheila Calthorpe and Ken Roloson of “Cold Country” demonstrated their prowess.

Highlights on the weekend included 15-year-old singing/guitar player Jessica Treneer of Kingston who performed and won her singing division and also the adult division. Back by popular demand on Sunday, Jessie performed the sweetest sounding version of Patsy Cline's “Crazy” that I have ever heard. She took home the overall Championship award offered for the first time this year by Dave and Kathy Daw, owners of Summit Sound Inc. of Westport. The prize includes two hours of free recording time, hard disc space plus 3 recorded CD's.

Joan Shepherd informed me that the prize will be offered every year since the Daws recently agreed to an ongoing partnership with the FOTMC.

Other weekend highlights: Margery Smith of Inverary was presented with the Special Old Time Country Music Award given to an individual who strives to preserve the tradition of Old Time Country Music. She hosts the Sunbury Jam, which is held every Friday from 7-10pm.

Congratulations also to Marilyn Pierce of Ompah, winner of the Samick OM7 acoustic guitar that was raffled off.

Proceeds from the event will go towards local music in the schools programs and this year Joan is hoping that $500 will be donated to the Hinchinbrooke Public School's School of Rock program.

Joan sees the championships continuing “forever” and to prove it she already has the hall booked for the next decade. For Joan the FOTMC brings forth an important message to youth. “It's important for them to realize that life is a competition no matter what they are striving to achieve. The main thing at this event is that they are given an opportunity to get up and play and to try their best. And what is very special year after year is that the audience here provides that perfect kind of safe and secure environment that enables and encourages them to do so.”

To see a list of this year's winners visit the FOTMC site at www.frontenacoldtimemusic.com

The next Bedford jam will be held at the Bedford hall on August 15. Admission is free for players and $1 for listeners. For more information about the Bedford Jam contact Joan Shepherd at 613-374-5477. 

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