Wanna Fiddle Around?!

Todd Meade

There’s a new fiddle teacher in town! World class fiddler Todd Meade is an expert in traditional old-time and bluegrass music. Luckily for us, he’s recently decided to take a rest from life on the road and has settled in DownTown Kingsport, where he offers private lessons. He also teaches at Mountain Empire Community College, where he instructs group classes in fiddle and old-time string band. Todd reads music, but prefers to learn and teach by ear. Folks in his classes aren’t paper trained!

Born and raised in the Big Moccasin area of Scott County, Virginia, Todd is carrying on the tradition of local old-time music. Todd grew up listening to his great grandfather, “Uncle Charlie Osborne,” play the fiddle. Uncle Charlie played for Todd when he was just days old and provided the soundtrack to his young life. Uncle Charlie lived to be 101, but died when Todd was seven. Todd started playing the fiddle shortly thereafter. He remembers wandering from player to player as community musicians gathered and played in a big circle. He knew the music long before he ever played it himself. “Back when I was growing up, it was just me and a bunch of old men,” he reminisces. “Now, there’s a lot more interest in roots music.” Most of those old men have now passed on, leaving Todd alone to carry on the tradition. We’re glad that he is now sharing it with us!

In addition to the fiddle, Todd plays banjo and bass. Nominated in 2008 for Bass Fiddle Performer of the Year by the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America (SPBGMA), he is truly world class. Todd has toured the world with Grammy winner Dr. Ralph Stanley and His Clinch Mountain Boys, and has also recently toured with Carolina Road and Appalachian Trail.

His website is www.toddmeade.net. If you or someone you know wants to learn to play the fiddle, give him a call at 423-782-6805 or send an email to fiddleman03@yahoo.com. You’ll be glad you did!