Local musician Calvin Vollrath was recognized as one of the greatest fiddlers in North America on July 31 when he was inducted into the North American Fiddlers' Hall of Fame in Osceola, New York. Vollrath said he was both “humbled and honoured" to be selected.
“I am amazed by his mastery of the violin. He is a tremendous artist," said Jim Hickey from Deep River, Ontario, who nominated Vollrath. Hickey described Vollrath as a “fiddler's fiddler" explaining many top Canadian fiddlers are in “awe" of what he can do.
Hickey is chairman of Pembroke Old Time Fiddler and Step Dancing Championship and has hired Vollrath as a judge for over 20 years. He said Vollrath is not only talented but is also a “very personable and humble man," and therefore a very good choice for the North American Fiddlers' Hall of Fame.
“It's just amazing to be able to make a living doing what I love. I never dreamed I would receive such an honour," said Calvin Vollrath in a phone interview.
Vollrath said he not only was “blown away just to be nominated" but also to hear he was selected was a thrill beyond his expectations. He is the 17th Canadian to be accepted into the Fiddlers' Hall of Fame and his name now hangs alongside many of his fiddling heroes such as Don Messer, Al Cherny, Johnny Gimble, Buddy Spiker and others.
The day of the one and a half hour induction ceremony in New York was a day to remember, he said Vollrath said he reflected upon how at the age of eight he told his parents he wanted a fiddle. His father was also a fiddle player and he said both his parents were very supportive of their son's ambitions, often driving him to perform at events when he was too young to have a driver's licence.
“My parents are both passed away now but I know they were with me that day in spirit and would have been very proud," said Vollrath.
He remembered many nights traveling around the Canadian countryside playing weddings, country socials and conventions. Now he has 54 albums and wrote some of the music played during the opening ceremonies for the Vancouver Olympics in 2010.
Hickey, along with his wife Dianna, accompanied Vollrath and his wife Rhea Labrie to the ceremony. Hickey said the performance put on by Vollrath in New York that day made the selection committee happy they made the choice they did. Vollrath's rendition of Danny Boy was particularly good, he said.
“Very few can do it the way he does it, it was beautiful," said Hickey.