Tom locking up shop
On our way back from Clifftop we stopped in Galax to catch the beginning of the 76th Old Fiddler's Convention. We arrived just after the campground opened and after a lot of businesses in the town had closed for Sunday. We wanted to check out the famous Barr's Fiddle shop, so decided to walk over there and look in the windows. We were surprised when Tom Barr himself emerged from the back of the closed store, unlocked the door, warmly greeted us and invited us in. He then spent a good half hour or so showing us around, pointing out photos and sharing with us some of the history of the shop, the fiddle convention, and stories of the musicians of the area.
Brooks admiring Tom Barr's banjo at the Blue Ridge Music Center
The Barrs have been making handmade fiddles, banjos, and mandolins for close to 30 years, and the shop has been a gathering place for old-time and bluegrass musicians almost as long. Earlier we had admired one of Tom's banjos on display at the Blue Ridge Music Center and now were excited to meet the maker in person. Tom builds most of his open back banjos in the style of his friend and neighbor, the late Kyle Creed. Brooks and Tom exchanged banjo making anecdotes, and we checked out the old barber shop space within the fiddle shop that now functions as a museum honoring the music and musicians of the Galax area.
As luck would have it, Tom's son Stevie was playing with his band Houston Drive at the Blue Ridge Music Center amphitheater that night, so we ran and got some excellent BBQ for dinner and headed out to the concert to enjoy some kick-ass bluegrass music in that beautiful outdoor setting of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
As luck would have it, Tom's son Stevie was playing with his band Houston Drive at the Blue Ridge Music Center amphitheater that night, so we ran and got some excellent BBQ for dinner and headed out to the concert to enjoy some kick-ass bluegrass music in that beautiful outdoor setting of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
A few of the photos on the photo wall of history
Tom Barr taking a look at a Brooks Banjo
Those Barrs sure are nice fellows and our brief but inspiring visit with them and the shop really made our visit to Galax. Maybe next time we'll be able to stay longer than just overnight so we can catch some more tunes at the convention, too.
