John McCutcheon to Perform at Monumental Fiddling Championships

Date: January 12, 2012
Contact: Merrith Baughman, 402-223-3514

Free, fun and fabulous music awaits visitors at the 2012 Monumental Fiddling Championships on May 26, 2012 at Homestead National Monument of America. This competition will cap off a weeklong celebration of the 150^th Anniversary of the signing of the Homestead Act on May 20, 1862.

The day will begin with workshops in the morning, competition in the afternoon and a concert by renowned folk musician John McCutcheon in the evening. McCutcheon is one of the country's most respected and loved folksingers. As an instrumentalist, he is a master of a dozen different traditional instruments, most notably the rare and beautiful hammer dulcimer. His songwriting has been hailed by critics and singers around the globe. His thirty recordings have garnered every imaginable honor, including seven Grammy nominations.

"We are excited to have added a concert by John McCutcheon in the evening. It should be the perfect way to end an already exciting competition," said Mark Engler, monument Superintendent.

Returning to the 2012 Monumental Fiddling Championship are musical duo Debby Greenblatt and David Seay who have helped coordinate the Monumental Fiddling Championships since its beginning in 1999.

The Monumental Fiddling Championship will begin with three free workshops:

10 a.m. - 12 p.m. John McCutcheon shares his songwriting talents;

10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Debby Greenblatt gives fiddling tip to new and experienced players; and

12 - 12:30 p.m. David Seay leads a harmonica workshop.

The fiddling competition begins at 1 p.m. The one rule which makes this competition unique is that all songs must have been written between 1863, when the first homestead was filed, and 1936, when Homestead National Monument of America was established. A "Round of Champions" featuring winners from the afternoon competition will be from 6 to 7 p.m. John McCutcheon will perform at 7 p.m.

The fiddle was the ideal frontier instrument, according to the Encyclopedia of the Great Plains, "People moving westward carried the small, compact fiddle in their wagons or in their saddlebags. The fiddler could generally be heard anywhere a crowd gathered, including political rallies, militia musters, housewarmings, barn raisings, and fiddle contests." This same music will once again be heard at Homestead National Monument of America on May 26, 2012.

The event is made possible through grants from the Leigh F, Jane M and Leigh M Coffin Foundation, the Nebraska Arts Council, the Beatrice Arts Council, Eastern National Bookstores, and the Friends of Homestead. All activities that day will be free.

Remember, Homestead National Monument of America has an exciting schedule of events planned for the exciting 150^th anniversary of the Homestead Act in 2012. Keep up with the latest information by following us on Twitter (HomesteadNM) and Facebook (Homestead National Monument of America). For information on the monument's programs or activities, please call (402)-223-3514 or visit www.nps.gov/home.

Homestead National Monument of America is a unit of the National Park Service located four miles west of Beatrice, Nebraska. Current hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the weekends. Admission is free of charge. For additional information, please call 402-223-3514 or visit http://www.nps.gov/home/index.htm.