Fiddler keeps old-time Ozark music alive

Gary Johnston won the Missouri State Fiddling Championship senior division for the last seven years. Submitted photo

Nevada Daily Mail

Gary Johnston thought everybody could play the fiddle.

Growing up in Lamar, Johnston's musical family, which included seven siblings who could all play an instrument, provided the music for house parties. He said he couldn't remember how old he was when he started playing the fiddle.

"Back in the day, people in a neighborhood would gather together, eat, put the kids to bed on pallets on the floor, roll up the rug, play and dance," he said.

Johnston, 75, fiddled "old time music" ever since. He won seven of the last Missouri State Fiddling Contests in the senior division in Sedalia.

"It isn't about winning or losing, although winning beats out losing any day," he said. "It's about the jamming and camaraderie with fellow musicians."

Johnston said what he loves most about playing is getting to meet new people. He played with the Leavell Brothers for more than 30 years and now plays with Paula Newman and the Circle S Feed Store Gang in El Dorado Springs.

Johnston credits his brothers, Dean and Don, as his greatest music influences. Two of his sons, Beau and Tad, play instruments as well. Beau plays fiddle and guitar. Tad plays guitar, mandolin and harmonica.

"We're all self-taught," he said. "I guess they learned from being around me like I learned from being around my family."

A retired carpenter, the Missouri Folk Arts Council hired Johnston to mentor and tutor Sam Kendrick, who plays with his family in John Kendrick and The Branchy Boys.

Johnston said he often is asked to explain the difference between a violin and fiddle.

"A violinist plays with a tie on while us fiddlers play with our boots on. Actually, there is no difference whatsoever except the style of music played," he said.