Crooked Road CD Series [Back]

Montana Young:
Fiddling Up a Storm

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At the age of 10, Montana studied with bluegrass legend Buddy Pendleton, of Patrick County, through the Virginia Folklife Apprenticeship Program.  Buddy, who played a stint with Bill Monroe and toured with the likes of Joan Baez, decided to forego the life on the road to be closer to his family in the small town of Woolwine, Virginia.  Mere miles away and only a generation or two apart, Pendleton and Montana clicked instantly.  “I’ve had some experiences in music,” remarked Pendleton at Eastwood Studios in Cana Virginia, where this fine project was recorded, “and I’ll tell you, I just don’t think you’re going to find a fiddler any better than Montana at her age.”  During their apprenticeship, Buddy taught Montana his signature bowing style, as well as a number of fiddle tunes, including “Florida Blues,” “Say Old Man,” and “Polecat Blues,” which appear on this recording.

Montana is a famously quick learner.  Legend has it that she learns most fiddle tunes in about 10 or 15 minutes.  Perhaps because she is such a quick study, she often finds herself the fortunate recipient of impromptu tutorials from many of her musical heroes, including Wayne Henderson, Eddie Bond, Gerald Anderson, Linda Lay, Spencer Strickland, and others.  Several of these artists, as well as other fine musicians from along the Crooked Road, appear on this project.

At the time of this writing, Montana has won over 50 blue ribbons for her fiddling.  She has won every youth fiddle competition in her path, and has won first prize in the adult fiddling categories at such prestigious competitions as the Sparta, Fries, Elk Creek, and Mt. Airy fiddling conventions.  And like that unnamed girl who inspired the wide eyed four-year old from Bassett, she is now inspiring countless young kids to take up the fiddle throughout the region.

Montana is learning fast and growing up all too quickly.  If you are reading these notes several years after this CD’s release, it is likely that her mastery has significantly evolved since these recordings, produced in two stormy Southwest Virginia spring nights.  Nevertheless, this recording captures a young artist, peerless at her age, at the top of her game, accompanied by some of the finest musicians you’re going to find.  And for this we can all rejoice.

Jon Lohman, Director
Virginia Folklife Program

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