One of Sen. Robert C. Byrd’s passions in life has been playing the fiddle, bluegrass style, and this affection for the instrument is bringing him some national acclaim.
In Nashville this weekend, the Senate’s longest-serving member is being honored on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry with the Dr. Perry F. Harris Distinguished Fiddler Award.
Byrd played bluegrass music while working as a butcher in a small Raleigh County town back in the 1950s before he launched a successful career in West Virginia politics, and often relied on the fiddle to warm up to the voters.
The 90-year-old senator will be given a special tribute during the Grand Master Fiddler Championship this weekend inside the Nashville Convention Center.
“I thank the Grand Master Fiddler Championship for honoring me with this prestigious award,” Byrd said Friday.
“As a young boy in West Virginia who loved to fiddle, I never dreamed that my life would be so blessed and enriched by that beautiful instrument.”
Byrd said the award revived memories of his late wife, Erma, who often encouraged him to continue with his pursuit of music.
After mastering the instrument as a teenager, Byrd toted the fiddle everywhere he ventured.
Besides attracting voters out on the hustings, Byrd also played the fiddle in churches and homes.
Byrd not only plied his skills at the Kennedy Center and Grand Ole Opry, but one time put in an appearance with the popular “Hee Haw” show on television.
Exactly three decades ago, he produced a bluegrass album titled “Mountain Fiddler.”
— E-mail: mannix@register-herald.com
Local News
Byrd lands prestigious fiddler award
- Local News
-
-
Mount Hope man sentenced on firearms charge
A Mount Hope man was sentenced Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Charleston to more than five years in federal prison. Evan Darnell Wagner, 25, will serve 63 months for his October guilty plea to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
-
Green pleads for fund-raising ban during session
Insisting his motives are both pure and sincere, Sen. Mike Green pleaded with his Senate colleagues Tuesday to ban fundraising by lawmakers while in a 60-day session.
-
Senators want to build veterans nursing home in Beckley
America has a shabby history of tending to the needs of its returning war veterans, but some West Virginia senators want to start making amends.
-
Commissioners urge public to look into free prescription drug card
At Tuesday’s meeting of the Raleigh County Commission, County Administrator John Humphrey expressed concern that there are not more uninsured county citizens taking advantage of a free prescription drug card through the National Association of Counties.
-
Body reportedly removed from Guyandotte River
Wyoming County Sheriff’s Department removed a body from the Guyandotte River at Brier Creek bridge Tuesday, according to Chief Deputy C.S. Parker.
-
Ronceverte merchant shares concerns with City Council
When Mary Glover and her son Chris opened a floral specialty shop in the River City four years ago, their Edgar Avenue location seemed ideal. But Mary Glover is now frustrated over what she perceives as a lack of community support for the small business.
-
Three men found dead in Rainelle home
Three men, a father and his two sons, were found dead inside their Rainelle home Tuesday, the Greenbrier County Sheriff’s Department confirmed.
-
Glen Daniel bank robbery suspect nabbed quickly
A bank in Glen Daniel was targeted by an armed robber Tuesday afternoon who got away with an undisclosed amount of cash, but was apprehended moments later because of the actions of one brave deputy.
-
Fayette board member voices disapproval of energy program
At Monday’s Fayette County Board of Education meeting, board member David Arritt registered his disapproval of the county’s energy management program, which he compared to a “chain letter.”
- Calendar — Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012
- More Local News Headlines
-
Mount Hope man sentenced on firearms charge
White House Attacks Romney on Birth Control
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Mo. Teen Gets Life Sentence for Killing Girl, 9
Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo.
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire
Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
