The Old Country Fiddler

The Old Country Fiddler : Charles Ross Taggart, Traveling Entertainer is the third program in the Yankee Pride series sponsored by the Friends of the Fiske Free Library and the Claremont Historical Society. Adam Boyce, West Windsor, Vermont; will give a living history presentation on Wednesday, May 25, at 7pm in Trinity Episcopal Church Hall, 120 Broad Street, Claremont.

This living history presentation will highlight the life of a a 19th century itinerant fiddler from Topsham, Vermont. Beginning in 1895, Taggart performed in stage shows across the country for over forty years, including the famous Red Path Chautauqua circuit. A fiddler, piano player, humorist, singer and ventriloquist, he made at least twenty-five recordings with the Victor, Edison, and Columbia companies and appeared in a talking movie picture six years before Al Jolson starred in The Jazz Singer. Boyce portrays Mr. Taggart near the end of his career, c1936, sharing memories of his life, with some live fiddling and humorous sketches.

Adam Boyce, a tenth generation Vermonter, is also a fiddler, composer, piano player, contra dance prompter and square dance caller. He has been involved with nearly every aspect of fiddle contests in New England since 1994, as judge, piano backup, and competitor. He was the 2000 Vermont Division Champion at the Northeast Fiddlers contest in Barre and has placed in nearly every New England state. Locally he has served in several elected offices, including town moderator. On occasion he delivers dry rural wit and wisdom as a Yankee humorist for the Vermont Arts Council.

This program is sponsored in part by a grant from the New Hampshire Humanities Council and is free and open to the public. For more information call the Fiske Free Library at 603-542-7017.