WEISER, Idaho — The 56th National Old-time Fiddlers' Festival and Contest is underway in Weiser, where hundreds of musicians from across the nation gather every year to compete. But some talented sisters in particular are hoping to get their faces on the "Hall of Fame" wall and some trophies to bring home.
"I like to be different," said Maddison Dietrich, 18-year-old competitor.
In a time where instruments are electronic buttons and DJs are considered musicians, lived four self-proclaimed "country girls."
"There's no auto-tune for the fiddle," said Dietrich. "We're all competing in the fiddle contest."
All of them are sisters (Maddison, Ranelle, Brie, and Aspen), and all are members of Gen Z.
"I like to kind of stand out or say, you know, 'Oh I play the fiddle,' and then people go, like, 'What? What's-- what's the fiddle?' 'Bluegrass music!' ya know, 'What? How old are you?"
So with toughened up fingertips and a will to win, they are hoping their travels from Casa Grande, Arizona, will pay off with a win this year.
For the youngest of the group, it already has.
"I got second place in the nation," said Aspen Dietrich, 7-year-old competitor.
This-- out of 25 competitors in her age division: the 2019 "Small Fry" division.
"I got a light-up trophy," said Aspen.
But she says it's not just playing solo that she loves.
"I like playing with them too."
It's also about the family bond-- in their family band-- the Arizona Wildflowers.
"It's really fun," said Aspen.
"We got so much closer by playing music together," said Maddison.
Maddison, who is also the reigning Oklahoma State Fiddle Champion, will compete for the first time as an adult in Weiser on friday. In the meantime, she's jamming.
"It's really cool to play by yourself but when you get playing with other people, it really comes alive," said Maddison.
You can learn more about their band at facebook.com/thearizonawildflowers.
