LIVE FROM THE REX THEATER

Every Friday night, thousands of radio listeners are tuning in to hear just why Galax is billed as the “World’s Capital of Oldtime Mountain Music”. Since 1999, radio station WBRF-FM 98.1 has broadcast its weekly “Blue Ridge Backroads” live music show from Galax’s historic Rex Theater on Grayson Street. It is one of only three live bluegrass and oldtime radio shows in the country. With a powerful 100,000 watts of power the signal reaches listeners in 4 states and over 50 counties. The live show hosts local, regional and national bluegrass and old-time musicians on the stage every Friday at 8pm. Visitors come from all over the world to be a part of the audience and participate in the live radio broadcast.

Click here to visits the Official Rex Theater website!
Or call the City of Galax Tourism Department at 276-238-8130 for more information.


OLD FIDDLER'S CONVENTION

Now in its 75th year, the Old Fiddler's Convention originated in the spring of 1935 when a few members of the then new Moose Lodge #733 in Galax needed something to raise funds and generate publicity. In a newspaper item at the time it was stated that the Convention was dedicated to "Keeping alive the memories and sentiments of days gone by and make it possible for people of today to hear and enjoy the tunes of yesterday".

The promoters feel that the Annual Old Fiddler's Convention is a tradition in country and mountain music circles, and will do their best to continue bringing to the public the tunes which have been handed down from generation to generation in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The fact that many of the contestants are youngsters is encouraging, and the promoters believe that the future of this traditional music is secure.

A unique aspect of the convention is the camping area where musicians rehearse and tune up. Often dancers and players try out their abilities in the parking lot when they would not dare go on the stage. There is often as much activity off stage as on stage. In the early years, the contestants and audience came chiefly from Carroll, Grayson, and adjoining counties in Virginia and North Carolina. Now bands and individual performers come from across the nation and throughout the world.

This showcase of oldtime, bluegrass and folk music is held annually the second week in August at Felts Park in Galax, which has taken for itself the title of the “World Capital of Old-Time Mountain Music.”

Directions: From Interstate 77, take Virginia Exit 14. Turn onto Route 58 toward Galax. Continue on Route 58 for approximately 10 miles. Turn left onto Main Street. Continue through main downtown business district. Felts Park is on the left.

Click here to visit the Official Old Fiddler's Convention website!
Or call 276-236-8541 or 276-238-8130 for more information.