Sutton Store Hours
8:30 am - 4 pm Wed-Fri
8:30 am - 8 pm Sat
(931) 653-4151
CLOSED SUN - TUES
Other Attractions
11 am - 3 pm Wed-Fri
11 am - 5 pm Sat
(931) 653-4151
CLOSED SUN - TUES
Uncle Jimmy Thompson Bluegrass Festival
Granville Heritage Day
Saturday, July 11, 2020
Jesse Donald "Uncle Jimmy" Thompson was an “old time” fiddle player and singer-songwriter. He is best remembered as the first performer to play on Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry (then called the WSMAM Barn Dance) on the evening of November 28, 1925. The positive response to his performance would be an important influence on the show's creative direction. While Thompson made only a handful of recordings late in his life, his fiddle skills have made him one of the best-known icons of early country music. Uncle Jimmy was born in 1848 in the Granville community.
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The Uncle Jimmy Thompson Grand Champion Fiddle Competition
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Where: Competition will be held at the Pruett Stage, adjacent to the Sutton Homestead.
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When: Contestants may register for the competition from 10:00—11:00 am. Competition begins at 12:30 pm
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Entry Fee: $5.00. There is no age requirement.
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Rules: Each contestant will perform three (3) songs: breakdown, waltz and fiddler’s choice. The top three (3) will be brought back to the stage for a “fiddle off.” In the second round, contestants will perform a waltz and breakdown.
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Prizes: 1st Prize—$225, 2nd Prize—$175, and 3rd Prize—$125.
The Grand Champion will be invited to play center stage at the Birthplace of Bluegrass Music during Springer Mountain Farm Bluegrass Night at the Ryman Show with Dailey an Vincent. For more information, call Jimmy Bilbrey at 931-510-7770.
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​Event Schedule
10:00-11:00: Registration for Competition
10:00-11:00 Center Hill Ramblers
11:15-12:15: Blue Ridge Grass
12:15: Uncle Jimmy Thompson Award Ceremony: Honoree, Eddie Testamand
12:30: Uncle Jimmy Thompson Fiddle Contest (Round 1)
Sutton's Bluegrass for Kids All Stars
Uncle Jimmy Thompson Fiddle Contest (Finals)
Sutton's Bluegrass for Kids All Stars
2:15: Center Hill Ramblers
3:00: Blue Ridge Grass
4:00: Tom Brantley & Missionary Ridge
5:00 & 6:30: Sutton Ole Time Music Hour & Dinner (Reservations at 931-653-4151)
6:00: Warm Up Show
7:00: Syndicated Radio Show