2026 Florida Old Time Music Championships
Guests of Honor : Ashlee Watkins & Andrew Small
Ashlee Watkins & Andrew Small
Based in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Southwest Virginia, Ashlee Watkins & Andrew Small have captivated audiences around the globe with their stirring harmonies and hard-hitting old-time sound. Their songs range from foot stomping breakdowns to heartbreaking country duets as they move with ease between various combinations of fiddle, banjo, mandolin, and guitars. Ashlee and Andrew have won many awards from fiddlers conventions throughout the region including first place in the old time band contests at the 85th Annual Galax Old Fiddlers' Convention, the 52nd Annual Mount Airy Fiddlers’ Convention, and the 5th & 7th Annual Upper East Tennessee Fiddlers’ Conventions. As songwriters, Ashlee and Andrew were featured in the 2022 and 2025 IBMA Songwriter Showcases and won first prize in the 29th Annual MerleFest Chris Austin Songwriting Contest. The duo has been featured onstage at the Blue Ridge Music Center, the Barns at Wolf Trap, on the PBS television show Song Of The Mountains, and performed at the Virginia Executive Mansion for multiple governors and first ladies. They have performed internationally across Europe and Australia and their music is also featured on the soundtracks of The Green Tunnel podcast and the PBS documentary Rock Castle Home.
Traditional Harmony Singing
In this interactive workshop, we’ll focus on traditional song repertoire from Southwest Virginia as we delve into the nitty gritty details of harmony singing. Shaping a harmony line, experimenting with stacking different parts, and settling on the right key are just some of the ideas we’ll cover in this workshop. We'll also discuss stylistic choices involved in designing a harmony line as well as how to achieve a good vocal blend through phrasing, pronunciation, tone, and intonation. Bring your voice and all of your questions about harmony singing. Recording devices are welcome and encouraged!
The Heart of the Blue Ridge: Old Time Dance Music
With a focus on fiddle-driven dance music, we invite all string band instruments to join us as we delve into the living traditions of the Blue Ridge region of Southwest Virginia. We’ll examine strong, danceable rhythms and the patterns behind them as we cover an array of richly stylized material and discuss ways to add character and regional flavor to your playing. Join us as we uncover the heart of our Blue Ridge music traditions!