This article is taken from the Fall/Winter 2014 issue of the National Old Time Fiddler newsletter - by Gary Eller
Sound files courtesy of John P. Williams: www.brokenbowfiddleco.com
Sound files courtesy of John P. Williams: www.brokenbowfiddleco.com
Byron Berline won the open title at Weiser in 1965 and 1970. He would become arguably America’s most influential fiddler ever across a vast range of music. Byron was born into a farm family near Caldwell, Kansas on July 6, 1944. His father played fiddle and banjo. By age five, Byron had picked up the fiddle. In 1962, he and his father Lue drove fifteen hundred miles to Weiser where he finished sixth. In 1963, Byron returned to Weiser and finished second. He entered the University of Oklahoma that fall, where he continued to play music while being a member of the football and track teams. There by chance, he made the acquaintance of the hot bluegrass group, The Dillards. This encounter would open musical doors that he could never have imagined.
In 1964, Byron won a national fiddle contest in Missoula and finished fifth at Weiser, primarily because his guitar player had major rhythm problems. The following year, he returned to Weiser and won the top division. Byron finished third in 1966. He did not compete in the next two years but returned in 1969 to serve as a judge. His final competition at Weiser was in 1970, when he again won the grand prize, with his wife Bette (piano) and brother Leonard (guitar) providing accompaniment. This would prove to be the last contest Byron ever entered. He returned in 2010 to judge the Weiser contest.
In 1964, Byron won a national fiddle contest in Missoula and finished fifth at Weiser, primarily because his guitar player had major rhythm problems. The following year, he returned to Weiser and won the top division. Byron finished third in 1966. He did not compete in the next two years but returned in 1969 to serve as a judge. His final competition at Weiser was in 1970, when he again won the grand prize, with his wife Bette (piano) and brother Leonard (guitar) providing accompaniment. This would prove to be the last contest Byron ever entered. He returned in 2010 to judge the Weiser contest.
This photo taken on June 22, 1963 at the fiddle contest awards ceremony in the Weiser city park shows Byron Berline (second place) in the center wearing a black hat. Other people are (left to right): Manny Shaw and Carl Leming (third place), Loyd Wanzer (first place) and contest chairman Homer Emmons.
Cherry Orchard Waltz - Loyd Wanzer (1963)
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In a recent phone interview, Byron remembered his years at Weiser vividly and with great fondness. He recalled free evening shows that were held at the gazebo at the city park for huge crowds and memorable community breakfasts. A lively parade came down the streets and the “Weiser Vigilantes” shot off pistols and made fake arrests of local dignitaries and musicians. Byron recalled not only the contest’s superb fiddlers and substantial prize money, but the great fun of jamming with his competitors and other musicians at the Washington Hotel in downtown Weiser. He also recalled sharing his bag of fiddle tricks with Sam Bush, then a precocious teenager but later to be “The Father of Newgrass Music”.
Byron said that schottische, polkas and hoedowns dominated the Weiser competition when he first came to Weiser in 1963. Texas style fiddling then was not much in evidence. Byron was one of the first to introduce elements of this style to Weiser, a style that would come to dominate in subsequent decades. He recalled notable fiddlers such as Oregonian Bill Yohey and Idahoans Manny Shaw, Duane Youngblood, Jim Widner, Loyd Wanzer and Rue Frisbee. It was through the Weiser contest that Byron’s composition Martin’s Waltz was introduced to the national fiddle community. As many other Weiser champions avow, Byron felt that the overall Weiser experience meant more to him than becoming the national fiddle champion.
Byron said that schottische, polkas and hoedowns dominated the Weiser competition when he first came to Weiser in 1963. Texas style fiddling then was not much in evidence. Byron was one of the first to introduce elements of this style to Weiser, a style that would come to dominate in subsequent decades. He recalled notable fiddlers such as Oregonian Bill Yohey and Idahoans Manny Shaw, Duane Youngblood, Jim Widner, Loyd Wanzer and Rue Frisbee. It was through the Weiser contest that Byron’s composition Martin’s Waltz was introduced to the national fiddle community. As many other Weiser champions avow, Byron felt that the overall Weiser experience meant more to him than becoming the national fiddle champion.
The photo above shows Byron Berline with his father Lue at Weiser, likely in 1964.
Billy in the Low Ground - Byron Berline (1965)
In 1965 at the Newport Folk Festival, Byron met Bill Monroe, who offered him a job with the Bluegrass Boys. Byron declined so he could finish his education. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1967 and joined the Bluegrass Boys in March of that year, leaving to go into the U. S. Army in September. In this short period, he recorded three instrumentals with the Bluegrass Boys, including "Gold Rush", destined to become a bluegrass classic, which he cowrote with Monroe. Two years later, Byron was discharged from the service and moved to Southern California, where he remained until 1995. In the twenty six years when he was based in California, Byron achieved international fame as a member of many notable groups, including:
Flying Burrito Brothers Berline, Crary and Hickman
California Sundance
Dillard and Clark Stephen Stills and Manassas
Country Gazette
Byron also became a much sought session musician, recording with (among others):
Flying Burrito Brothers Berline, Crary and Hickman
California Sundance
Dillard and Clark Stephen Stills and Manassas
Country Gazette
Byron also became a much sought session musician, recording with (among others):
Rolling Stones
Bob Dylan Byrds Earl Scruggs Elton John Willie Nelson Doc Watson Gene Clark Doobie Brothers |
John Denver
Rod Stewart Eagles The Band Vince Gill Gram Parsons Alabama Emmy Lou Harris Manhattan Transfer |
Tammy Wynette
Joe Diffie Mary Chapin Carpenter Dillards Mickey Gilley Mason Williams Bill Wyman Andy Statman Lucinda Williams |
Byron’s fiddle was heard on countless television and film productions and he had acting roles in at least two movies, The Rose and Star Trek: The Next Generation. He also performed bluegrass with symphony orchestras all over the Unite States. Byron compiled a massive recording list, covering the vast musical landscape indicated above. In collaboration with Jane Frost, Byron recently completed his autobiography, A Fiddler’s Diary (2013).
Byron returned to his roots in 1995 when he established the Doublestop Fiddle Shop in Guthrie, Oklahoma. His long time friend and banjo virtuoso John Hickman also moved from California to work at the Doublestop Fiddle Shop. Together they formed the Byron Berline Band, which tours nationally and internationally and frequently performs for folks in Guthrie at Byron’s Music Hall. Byron also founded the highly acclaimed Oklahoma International Bluegrass Festival.
Byron Berline’s presence at Weiser from 1963 to 1970 was highly influential in many respects. He represented a new breed of fiddlers in two respects. He first introduced elements of Texas style fiddling and he was the first grand champion (just shy of twenty years old) who was not a middle age or senior man. His endearing personality still is fondly remembered fifty years after his first trip to Weiser.
Byron returned to his roots in 1995 when he established the Doublestop Fiddle Shop in Guthrie, Oklahoma. His long time friend and banjo virtuoso John Hickman also moved from California to work at the Doublestop Fiddle Shop. Together they formed the Byron Berline Band, which tours nationally and internationally and frequently performs for folks in Guthrie at Byron’s Music Hall. Byron also founded the highly acclaimed Oklahoma International Bluegrass Festival.
Byron Berline’s presence at Weiser from 1963 to 1970 was highly influential in many respects. He represented a new breed of fiddlers in two respects. He first introduced elements of Texas style fiddling and he was the first grand champion (just shy of twenty years old) who was not a middle age or senior man. His endearing personality still is fondly remembered fifty years after his first trip to Weiser.
Byron Berline’ 1965 National Old Time Fiddle grand championship photo
Tulsa Waltz - Byron Berline (1965)
We are grateful to Byron for sharing his reminiscences of the National Old Time Fiddle Contest from 1962-1970.