The Tony & Darin Fiddle Contest
1993-2001

Tony & Darin on Darin's roof making the first cut.

Theme for 2000 Tony & Darin Fiddle Contest!

Our first annual contest was held in Tony's back yard. There was great excitement surrounding the unveiling of the very first Tony & Darin T-shirt. The artist was none other than Tony's brother Terry. Terry Ludiker was half of the old Joey & Terry Fiddle Contest, held six years running during the 1980's in Spokane. Terry did all the artwork for the J&T t-shirts, making him the best choice as artist for the new and improved Tony & Darin Fiddle Contest. (Besides this, Tony and Darin can't draw too good.) The scheme for the first shirt was a stroke of pure genius, placing Tony and Darin in the foreground of the shirt, with likenesses of Joey McKenzie and Terry in the background. The old being pushed rudely into the background by the new! (For J&T buffs, you will recognize the artwork of Joey and Terry here from the 3rd Annual Joey & Terry Fiddle Contest t-shirt, in which they are wearing their 1st Annual Joey & Terry Fiddle Contest t-shirts.)

Our second annual contest was held in Darin's front yard. The scheme for this second shirt was also a stroke of pure genius. This block of text consists of the names of famous fiddlers and accompanists of the past and present, along with a tune that Tony and Darin associated with them. By using two colors on the block of names and tunes, the words "Tony & Darin Fiddle Contest" are highlighted. Too cool!

Our third annual contest was also held in Darin's front yard. The scheme for the third shirt was, amazingly enough, also a stroke of pure genius. The shirt was patterned after the ever-popular "No Fear" brand shirts.

Our fourth annual contest was again held in Darin's front yard. It's likely it will always be held there. (And just as likely that each Tony & Darin Fiddle Contest t-shirt idea will be a stroke of pure genius!) The shirt for the 4th annual contest was patterned after band touring shirts and jackets sold to fans at concerts for exhorbitant prices. In addition, the 4th Annual Tony & Darin Fiddle Contest was to be a memorial to a student of Tony's and a great friend to T&D, Gary "Chip" Gilliam, Jr. Chip and his father, Gary Gilliam, Sr., tragically drowned earlier in the month (July, 1996). A special award was given out at the contest to a young fiddler who was involved in summer baseball, a great love of Chip's.

Disclaimer: The following is taken from the Official Entry Form for the 4th Annual Tony & Darin Fiddle Contest, held July 21, 1996. Please do not read the following if you are one of those twisted PC (not as in computers, but Politically Correct) people.

CONTEST RULES:

No Jigs, Schottisches, Strathspeys, Accordions, Harmonicas or Bagpipes will ever be allowed at the Tony & Darin Fiddle Contest. Trick or Fancy fiddling such as playing Bonaparte's Retreat is not recommended. If your playing causes the Judges to fall asleep or have any violent physical reaction, you will be barred from the Tony & Darin Fiddle Contest for life.

Injury Waiver: Although fiddle contests are usually non-injury associated, I realize that there is clear and present danger of being badly injured while attending the Tony & Darin Fiddle Contest. Therefore, I hereby release Tony & Darin from any and all liability for illness or injury while attending the 4th Annual Tony & Darin Fiddle Contest.