Violet Hensley

On of our most favorite fiddlers in the world is the celebrated and lovely Violet Hensley, the Whittling Fiddler from Yellville, Ark. Born in 1916 on the family homestead near Mt. Ida, Ark., Violet learned to carve fiddles while a teenager from her father, and learned her oldest tunes at that time from him and her neighbors. In the 1960s her fiddle making caught the attention of the folks at the new Silver Dollar City in Branson, and she still returns there every year to demonstrate, fiddle and visit with the endless number of her dear friends. Over the years, she has been featured at the Smithsonian Folk Festival and has appeared television with Captain Kangaroo and Charles Kuralt. In November, she appeared on NPR's "Whad'Ya Know." In addition to opening the shows both nights, Violet will set up her table with her fiddle parts and carvings at Turner Hall.