Leland Fiddle and Bow Society

Story and Photography By Sandra Chambers

One by one the musicians arrive, unpack their instruments and tune up for the night’s performance.  here are no black tuxes or long dresses, no orchestra pit and no director. Instead, the musicians — clad mostly in blue jeans and plaid shirts — grab folding chairs and “circle up” on the cement floor of the multi-purpose room.

Tonight’s gathering of the Leland Fiddle & Bow Society includes 20-plus musicians and a handful of observers who have gathered for a good ol’ foot-stompin’, pickin’-and grinnin’ jam session of bluegrass, country western, Southern gospel and folk music.

“The group is open to all types of musicians and all levels of experience from beginner to advanced,”  Says Lonnie Sullivan, the group’s founder. “It’s a place for musicians to come and play and enjoy themselves. We have all kinds of instruments including fiddles, guitars, banjos, harmonicas, a dobra, and sometimes someone brings in something we don’t even know about.”

Although he says he’s loved music since he was a kid, Sullivan, age 70, really didn’t have time to pursue music while raising a family, serving in the Navy and working at the New Bern Fire Department. “I didn’t start playing an instrument until five years ago when I found an old violin at a flea market and fixed it up,” Sullivan explains. “I tried it a bit, but now I play the guitar. I like it better.”

The group began meeting at its current location about 18 months ago. Sullivan, Brian Phelps and Tom Butler were three of the original musicians who came out of another group to form the Leland Fiddle & Bow Society. Sullivan says new people show up every week. Richard Judd, from Wilmington, came last week just to observe, but he’s back tonight, guitar in hand, ready to join in.

Lois Somers, who is visiting from New England, read about the group in the paper. Trained as a classical violinist, Somers said she got into the fiddle about ten years ago and now plays with a folk group in her area. “The fun thing about music is that you can go anywhere and have fun and meet new people,” Somers explains.

“I’m also interested to see the style of music they play here — it’s different in different parts of the country.”

A few spouses come to support their husband or wife, even though they don’t play an instrument.  Brenda Hopkins and her guitar-playing husband, Bud, have been coming for about a month. “I like it because it’s very friendly and very informal,” says Brenda, “and everyone gets a chance to play or sing.”

While every musician has his or her favorite genre, the variety of music gives everyone a chance to sing or play some old favorites and something new. Some songs are quiet and nostalgic, while others are high energy and definitely call for some foot-stomping and clapping.

During the evening, anyone who wants to lead a song steps into the middle of the circle, calls out a tune and a key. A few of tonight’s favorite songs were “My Bucket’s Got a Hole in It,” “Tennessee Waltz,” “I’m Crying My Heart Out Over You,” “Ragtime Annie” and “Send Me the Pillow You Dream On.”

No one seems to care how good or bad you are, whether you hit every note or if you choose to sit out a song. The goal is simply to have fun. Tom Butler of BoilingSpringsLakes says what really matters to him is that there’s a place where people can come and share their music. “Most of us don’t have formal training — that ruins you,” Butler says with a grin. “We play by ear and we ain’t been around anybody with sheet music.”

While some participants would agree with Tom, others, like Karen Schrank of Bolivia, do have a formal background in music. “I teach violin and fiddle and also do repair work,” says Schrank, who plays the fiddle for the Carolina Ramblers in Whiteville.

Sullivan believes the group will continue to grow as more and more people find out about the Leland Fiddle and Bow Society. “While I’m not aiming to become the Grand Ole Opera, I do hope the group grows to where we could have a larger building with more players and more observers,” Sullivan says. “In the meantime, everyone’s invited to come on out — whether you play an instrument or not — kick off your shoes and enjoy the music!”

The Leland Fiddle and Bow Society meets every Monday at 7 pm in the LelandRecreationBuilding at 102 Town Hall Drive. For more information call the Parks & Recreation Department at (910) 332-4818 or Lonnie Sullivan at (910) 253-4050.

 Is It a Fiddle or a Violin? “

·         When you’re buying it, it’s a fiddle. When you’re selling it, it’s a violin.”

·         “The difference between a violinist and a fiddle player is $100 a night and a tux.”

·         “The violin sings; the fiddle dances.”

·         “A fiddle is a violin with attitude.”

·         “no one cries when they spill beer on a fiddle.”

·         “According to performer Shoji Tabuchi, the difference lies ‘in how you fiddle around with it.’”

(Excerpted from Wikipedia.org)

A violin is a fiddle and a fiddle is a violin. That said, fiddle has come to have a more generalized meaning than violin. Any bowed string musical instrument may be informally called a fiddle; whereas a violin refers to a specific instrument. In construction, the fiddle and violin are essentially identical, but some fiddlers flatten the bridge to make it easier to play chords. Most classical violinists prefer a more rounded bridge, allowing them to articulate each note. The distinctions between violins and fiddles have more to do with the type of music that is played on each. In general, violins are used for classical music, whereas fiddles are used to play folk-style music.

Historically, most fiddle music was dance music, whereas violin music came to value more of a smoothness. Today many classical violinists also play fiddle music and are able to pick up a tune quickly.