2025 Kennedy Creek Old Time Music Festival

The Kennedy Creek Old-Time Music Festival takes place every autumn at the Kennedy Creek Resort in Suches, Georgia. This year’s festival features workshops and a concert by the Yellow Dandies.

Participants are invited to reserve cabins, yurts, or campsites, and food is available at the resort restaurant. Guest artists teach workshops, lead competitions, and present concerts, but the main event is always jamming with friends. Admission is free.

Friday, September 5

Workshop: Alabama Tune Time with The Yellow Dandies

The Yellow Dandies will teach two or three Alabama tunes. All instruments are welcome.

Time: 1:00pm

Fiddle, Guitar, Banjo, & Bass Workshop: Beyond the Basics with The Yellow Dandies

Participants will break out into small groups to work on advanced techniques. Guitar players will learn how and when to access connecting chords, how to create bass lines, and how to take more advanced rhythmic approaches to their backup playing. Banjo players will work on chord shapes, chord structures, and rhythm for syncopated tunes. Fiddle players will work on improving 4th-finger performance and seconding. Bass players will learn how to create bass lines and when to ride the root.

Time: 2:30pm⁠

Workshop: Stringband Ensemble with The Yellow Dandies

Participants will combine the techniques and approaches they learned in the individual classes to create small groups able to perform “on-the-spot” arrangements.

Time: 4:00pm⁠

Concert: The Yellow Daisies

Time: 5:30pm

Saturday, September 6

Sacred Harp Singing

All are welcome to join in!

Time: 9:30am⁠

Fiddle Contest: Hosted by Sasha Hsuczyk

Rules and Regulations

• Preliminary: Two divisions including Open (any age), Junior (age 16 and under). Juniors may compete in the open division but may not then also compete in the Junior division.
• Each contestant will play one tune in the Preliminary Round.
• There are no rules disqualifying any styles or tricks but judges will be listening for style and repertoire that represents the region.
• Scores will be tabulated directly after the end of the preliminary round and top 5 finalists will be announced and posted immediately.
• Finals will begin 30 minutes after finalists are announced. It is during this time that finalists will draw for finals order.
• Open Finals will consist of 2 tunes.
• Tied scores may result in additional playoff rounds. Scoring between rounds is not cumulative.
• Winners and awards will be announced directly after finals have finished. All contestants are responsible for their own festival admission fees. The contest is open to all participants, including non-Georgia residents.

Schedule

12:00–1:30pm: Registration
1:30–2:00pm: Order Drawing
2:00–2:45pm: Junior Division
3:00–4:00pm: Open Division
4:00–4:15pm: Junior Awards
4:15–4:30pm: Drawing for Finals
4:30–5:00pm: Open Finals
5:00pm: Open Division Awards

Square Dance

Join us for an evening of traditional square dancing. Beginners are welcome!

Time: 7:00pm

Organized in Partnership With