POTSDAM —World Fiddle Day Jam and Potluck drew about 60 musicians and listeners at Potsdam Public Library Saturday afternoon, May 9.

Madstop Fiddlers, made up of fiddlers from pre-school to great grandparents with instruction by Gretchen Koehler, were among the musicians at the jam session.

For the past three years, The Madstop Fiddlers has teamed up with Annie Davey, president of the North Country Fiddlers Association, to host a community jam session at the Potsdam Public Library.

“After we have our slow jam, I invite the players in the room to choose tunes. Jeremy Rusu, an incredible musician from Canada, helps me host the jam session. His strong rhythmic support helps the room of folks who have never played these tunes together, sound fantastic,” said Koehler.

“Hearing a tune played by 50 musicians, casually spread throughout the library, is the best "surround sound" experience you could ever imagine. Very inspirational. I am passionate about bringing community together,” said Koehler.

“It has been a wonderful success. I promote fiddling during the month of May with workshops to help our local musicians (who don't usually play this style) to learn how to jam with fiddle players. I travel to storytimes in several libraries and play tunes, and teach folk dances for the young ones and tell them about World Fiddle Day,” said Koehler.

The Madstop Fiddlers have been celebrating World Fiddle Day since 2012 in many forms, with jam sessions and workshops in several North Country locations.

“I've given workshops to listeners about fiddle styles and what to listen for.... many things to bring musicians of any genre into the folk music,” said Koehler.


In the fall, Barb Heller and Koehler run the "North Country Fiddle Orchestra" through TAUNY [Traditional Arts in Upstate New York] for folks playing a variety of instruments to come together to learn how to be a band.

All of these events lead up to the World Fiddle Day celebration each year. 

“This is what it's all about. The joy of playing folk music and passing it on to our younger generation.We are all excited about old time fiddle music,” said Koehler.