Missouri State Old Time Fiddlers Association
Midwest Invitational Fiddle Championship
Recorded live in its entirety
The Midwest Invitational Fiddle Championship brought together some of the finest old-time fiddlers in Missouri and the Midwest. This recording captures the contest from start to finish, including every round, tune, and moment of energy that makes these gatherings so special. What you are about to hear is music played with skill, heart, and a love for the tradition.
The Fiddlers
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Liz Amos – A leader in the driving Ozark square dance style, Liz has been sharing Missouri fiddling for over 30 years.
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Amanda Arbuckle – A young fiddler from the University of Missouri, Amanda blends classical training with mentorship from Charlie Walden and John White.
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Amber Gaddy – A fifth-generation Ozarker, Amber represents northern and Ozark Missouri styles with experience both as a backup player and a lead fiddler.
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Richard Shewmaker – Stepping in for Dr. Howard Marshall, Richard was a wonderful addition. As a mentee of Howard’s, he brought skill, knowledge, and respect for the tradition.
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David Scrivner – A dedicated Ozarks fiddler, David studied with Bob Holt and continues to preserve square dance and contest traditions.
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Geoff Seitz – A St. Louis fiddler with more than 50 years of experience, Geoff has won numerous contests and performs regularly at dances and concerts.
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Kathy Summers – Raised in Bourbon, Missouri, Kathy grew up playing with her family and now passes the tradition to her children and grandchildren.
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Charlie Walden – Known for his energetic style and encyclopedic repertoire, Charlie is a fierce competitor and passionate teacher of Missouri fiddling.
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Lynn Wells – Inspired by local Howard County fiddlers, Lynn is a longtime contest favorite and respected judge who keeps Missouri tradition alive.
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John P. Williams – From northeast Missouri, John grew up at Bethel Fiddle Camp, apprenticed under Pete McMahan, and now teaches and preserves Missouri fiddle music.
The House Band
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Mason Herbold – Guitarist and accordionist, Mason studied with Missouri tradition bearers and provides solid rhythm and support for the fiddlers.
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Robert Mackey – From Mexico, Missouri, Robert plays steady rhythm guitar for fiddle tunes and teaches the old-time tradition across the state.
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David Cavins – A guitarist influenced by Missouri’s dance tradition, David provides elegant, perfectly paced accompaniment for fiddlers of all generations.
Master of Ceremonies
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Thomas Coriell – A fiddler, mandolinist, and guitarist, Thomas performs, teaches, and researches Missouri fiddle styles. He also serves as treasurer of the Missouri State Old Time Fiddlers Association.
The Midwest Invitational is more than a contest. It is a celebration of music, community, and tradition. This two-hour recording captures the energy of the day, the skill of the players, and the joy of old-time fiddling. We are proud to share it so listeners everywhere can experience the spirit of the contest.
L to R - David Cavins, Lynn Wells, Robert Mackey, Kathy Gordon and Mason Herbold
Photo provided by Esmé Anger/Columbia Missourian.
Institutional Sponsors
The Missouri State Old Time Fiddlers Association (MSOTFA) is dedicated to preserving and promoting the rich tradition of old-time fiddling and folk music in Missouri. Founded in 1979 by a group of passionate young musicians and cultural enthusiasts, MSOTFA serves as a hub for fiddle players, accompanists, and music lovers across the state. Our mission is to celebrate, preserve, and encourage the heritage of Missouri’s old-time fiddling through events, an online presence, and educational programs that honor the art of fiddling passed down through generations. MSOTFA co-hosts the annual Bethel Youth Fiddle Camp and actively promotes opportunities for members to connect, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose through the music we love.
The Budds Center for American Music Studies at the University of Missouri celebrates and explores America’s, and more specifically, Missouri’s rich musical heritage through public programs, performances, and original research. We support projects that highlight the diversity and history of American music, sharing discoveries through publications, recordings, and presentations. Our work is anchored by a publicly accessible research catalog and archive that preserves and showcases American musical traditions, ensuring their continued relevance and impact across Missouri and beyond.
With the Missouri Folk Arts Program, the Show Me State boasts a decades-long partnership between the Missouri Arts Council and the Museum of Art & Archaeology in the College of Arts & Science at Mizzou. Staff collaborate with traditional artists and local experts to coordinate a range of projects. Apprenticeships support mentoring artists who pass traditional arts on to newer generations. Folk Arts Grants, via our state arts council, provide matching funds to local non-profits for public events in Missouri. And, the Show Me Folk Initiative explores regional traditions; honors lifetime achievements; and shares Missouri’s unique cultural heritage widely.
The MU Hearing Place Studio Lab, sponsored by the Center for Humanities, is a faculty working group that fosters interdisciplinary approaches to listening to place by asking, “How do we hear place?” Our StudioLab is grounded in the idea that an "other," whether a person (human or nonhuman), a text, an artwork, a piece of music, or even a specific location, communicates in ways that are, at least partially, accessible through creative and critically informed listening practices. Through research collaborations and community-facing performances, sound meditations, and sound installations, “Hearing Place” engages MU scholars, students, staff, and both human and nonhuman communities in central Missouri to address key challenges involved in the act of hearing place.