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Texas
fiddle
Clinic

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Bennett Brown

Brendon Anthony

BrYAN DUCKWORTH

Cody Braun

Damian green

Haydn Vitera

Jake Simpson

Jerry Reynolds

JODY BARTULa

Nick Worley

Paul Anastasio

Ross Schulte

WES BARLOw

Texas Fiddle Instructor

Bennett Brown

Bennett Brown started playing violin in middle school with the school orchestra and learned to read music and perform as a part of a whole. He loved the fast runs and variations in baroque music, but eventually the structure and formal nature of the orchestral scene drove him away. Growing up in Kentucky, Bennett had always enjoyed bluegrass and folk music, including that of Ireland and Britain, and loved the connection between all these styles. He tried adapting my violin experience to working out folk standards and fell in love! In college, he met songwriters all over Austin and began learning how to improvise and follow along, which ultimately led to me being in bands. He love the freedom of expression and the limitless opportunities to travel and create that music allows me and I can’t wait to share what I’ve learned with y’all. Bennett currently tours playing fiddle and singing background vocals for Shane Smith & the Saints 

Texas Fiddle Instructor

Brendon Anthony

Brendon began playing live music with a variety of Texas acts while attending Texas A&M University, which he graduated from in 1999. In 1997, Brendon began playing full time with Pat Green, with whom he toured nationally and internationally for 15 years. During his decade and a half as a touring musician, Brendon toured both the United States and Europe, played on a gold record and was a member of the band when Pat Green received three Grammy Award nominations. In addition to being a successful touring musician, Anthony has also performed on dozens of studio recordings and produced multiple records, including Drew Womack’s “Sunshine To Rain.” In 2010, Brendon helped start OneLive Media, which began as a primary ticketing company for Texas music venues and festivals before expanding into the e-commerce industry and becoming one of the premier online entertainment sales and marketing companies in the country. Brendon is a classically-trained violinist who has played fiddle, mandolin, guitar, and banjo both in live performances and studio recordings. Brendon was appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott in 2015 to become the Director of the Texas Music Office where he provided the link between the Office of the Governor’s Economic Development & Tourism Division executive staff, private sector music industry businesses, and non-governmental music organizations and trade associations for almost a decade. In May of 2024 he accepted his current position as VP of Big Loud Texas.
bryan-duckworth

Texas Fiddle Instructor

Bryan Duckworth

Bryan Duckworth is a  veteran of the Texas music scene.  His fifty year fiddling journey spans the gap from  playing bluegrass for tips and beer to being a  member of both Clay Blaker’s and Robert Earl Keen’s touring bands. Along the way ‘Duckworth trained as a luthier and violin maker and  taught at his own violin shop.  The Texas Fiddle Clinic gives ‘Duckworth a welcome opportunity to share a long list of the “tos and not tos” of bandstand fiddling.

Texas Fiddle Instructor

Cody Braun

Cody Braun is an Americana musician, producer, and festival organizer whose career has helped shape the modern Americana landscape. Raised in the mountains of Idaho and now based in Austin, Texas, Braun is best known as a founding member of Reckless Kelly, the acclaimed roots-rock band formed in 1996. Over nearly three decades, Reckless Kelly has toured nationally and internationally, earning a reputation for powerful live shows and uncompromising songwriting, while performing on iconic stages like Red Rocks Amphitheater, The Fillmore San Francisco, Austin City Limits, and Hardly Strictly Bluegrass. Braun has appeared on The Tonight Show twice and performed at the Grand Ole Opry, and has shared bills and tours with a wide range of artists spanning Americana, rock, and Texas country.
     A multi-instrumentalist with deep roots in classic country, Braun grew up playing honky-tonk music in his father’s band, and his fiddle style was shaped early on by Western swing icon Bob Wills. His playing has always been grounded in the older traditions of 1940-50s country music, and he approaches every performance and recording with the same philosophy: play by ear, listen closely, and give the song what it calls for—never simply “plugging a hole.” In addition to fiddle, Braun plays mandolin, tenor guitar, harmonica, and a collection of other unique and great-sounding instruments that have become part of his signature.
     Beyond the stage, Braun is also a trusted creative force in the studio, known for his artist-first approach as a producer, arranger, and musical director. He has produced records and singles for Reckless Kelly, Micky & The Motorcars, John D Hale, Kalyn Beasley, Brian Milson, Muzzie Braun, Jeff Crosby, Jomo & the Possum Posse, and Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers, and has co-produced several projects.
     Braun is also one of the long-time leaders behind the Braun Brothers Reunion, a beloved Idaho music festival that brings thousands of fans together each summer in a celebration of community, tradition, and live music.

Texas Fiddle Instructor

Damian Green

My name is Damian Green, and I began learning to play violin with the help of the Suzuki method at the age of three, and quickly fell in love with the instrument and have since, not put it down! I started getting into Texas Contest style fiddling a couple years into training, while still keeping up classical homework and even competing in region and all state orchestra and solo concerto competitions through middle/high school.Along the way I realized my true passion was performing for people. My aunt Anna Macias, some family friends and I started playing small shows around the state, ranging from nursing homes to rowdy honky tonks, to small town Oprys. We even played at a petting zoo in Louisiana! This path led me to meet Ray Benson and the rest of the Asleep at the Wheel, who became some of my biggest influences, and unofficial teachers! I ended up on a traveling musical production with them called “A Ride With Bob” which was the life story of Western Swing legend and king, Bob Wills.Just as that traveling production was coming to an end after a few years, Ray’s son, Sam Seifert who was running their recording studio “Bismeux” introduced me to this fella named Aaron Watson, whom his dad Ray was producing at the time. Aaron and I immediately hit it off and he offered me a position in the band.The rest is mostly history! I just celebrated my 16th year in Aaron’s band, we’ve made some pretty dang cool accomplishments, played a few thousand shows around the world, met tons of awesome people, and now I have a whole road family I consider my brothers!I’d love to help the younger generations keep this incredibly special instrument alive, and not just for orchestra class!

Texas Fiddle Instructor

HAYDN vITERA

Haydn Vitera began his violin journey with the Suzuki Method at age 8 and continued his classical studies into his college years at The University Of Texas where he was a member of the UT Symphony Orchestra. During his college years, Haydn started playing country fiddle in the Texas dancehall circuit and eventually got his “big break” with Grammy winner Rick Treviño in 1997. Since then, he has performed and recorded with some of the biggest names in Texas including Asleep At The Wheel and the legendary George Strait as well as becoming a sought-after studio musician in Austin. Beyond classical and country, Haydn has always been a rocker at heart, growing up on hard rock and metal in his high school years. He now proudly plays custom 5-, 6- and 7-string electric violins created by rock violin pioneer Mark Wood, founding member of Trans-Siberian Orchestra. He travels around the US teaching rock performance and improvisation to middle school and high school orchestra students with Wood’s Electrify Your Symphony program and is on the faculty at MWROC the Mark Wood Rock Orchestra Camp. In 2015, Haydn was a featured soloist on stage at Austin’s Frank Erwin Center with the iconic Stevie Wonder where according to the Austin American-Statesman he “unleashed a barrage of harmonic fury on violin so devastating that Wonder was inspired to throw down his own ballistic response on harmonica.” Haydn loves to open up young string students’ horizons to the world of improvisation and creative self-expression through the violin.

Texas Fiddle Instructor

Jake “Renick” Simpson

Jake “Renick” Simpson is a dynamic fiddler and musician with a rich heritage in American roots music. He began his journey at the tender age of five, studying under renowned violinist Dr. Robert Swanson. Influenced early on by legends such as Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys, Bill Monroe, and Willie Nelson, Jake’s passion for fiddling blossomed. At just 11 years old, he released his first album, “Born to Fiddle,” followed by three more albums before the age of 18.

At 16, Jake’s contributions to the world of fiddling were recognized with his induction into America’s Old Time Fiddler’s Hall of Fame. He was further inspired by exemplary fiddlers like Richard Greene, Byron Berline, Stuart Duncan, Jeremy Garrett, and Gene Elders. Over the years, Jake has shared the stage with notable acts including Yonder Mountain String Band, Greensky Bluegrass, The Infamous Stringdusters, Béla Fleck, and has spent nearly a decade touring with Montana’s premier bluegrass band, The Lil Smokies.

Currently, Jake is on tour with Lukas Nelson, where he also plays acoustic and electric guitar and provides background vocals. He occasionally joins Dave Matthews and his band, showcasing his versatility and talent. His performances have graced prestigious venues like Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado, the Harpa in Reykjavík, Iceland, and the Gorge Amphitheater in Washington State.

 

With a prolific recording career boasting features on over 100 studio albums, Jake excels in bluegrass, country, Western swing, blues, and rock fiddling, where his improvisational skills shine. Since he also began playing guitar at age 11 and writes songs, his artistry encompasses a broad spectrum. 

 

 

Jake’s mission as a musician is to create unique musical moments that resonate with audiences, fostering connections through the shared joy of music. 

Texas Fiddle Instructor

Jerry Reynolds

Jerry Reynolds is a professional fiddle player from Fort Worth Texas. As an Arlington native, Reynolds was classically trained in violin with ten years of orchestra experience that included the invitation to the prestigious Interlochen Arts Camp in 2003. However, it was once he moved to Austin, that he got his start in country music and after 18 years playing the fiddle, he hasn’t looked back. 
    He cut his teeth in Texas country music playing with names like Curtis Grimes, Tyrone Vaughan, and Phil Hamlilton; and for the last ten years, he’s had the pleasure of playing with Mike Ryan. When he hasn’t been on the road with Mike, he’s filled in shows for Ian Munsick, Shane Smith and the Saints, Parker McCollum, and Randall King. Reynolds has also recorded with Randall King, Mike Ryan, and Cody Jinks. 
    Reynolds favorite moments in playing have included his performances at The Grand Ole Opry, Ranger’s Stadium, and The White House for a 4th of July Hallmark Network Event, although, he’s a little biased towards the Opry. 
    When he’s not playing, he can be found spending time with family, friends, or his dog Bazzil.

Texas Fiddle Instructor

Jody Bartula

Jody Bartula is a multi instrumentalist with over 25 years of musical experience. He began playing bass and piano at age 5. Then moved on to guitar and fiddle. Jody played drums in the high school marching band and bass in the jazz band at Iola High School for all of his time there. Then continuing on to play in the Texas A&M Jazz Ensemble and Texas A&M Orchestra. Since 2010 Jody has been on tour with country music star Cody Johnson as fiddle/guitar player and band leader; touring the US extensively and making multiple national television appearances.

Texas Fiddle Instructor

nick Worley

Nick grew up in College Station, TX, and began playing the violin at the age of 6, following in his older sister’s footsteps by learning through the Suzuki Method. By the time he was in the 5th grade, Nick was performing as a member of the Brazos Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra, & was selected for All Region Junior High Orchestras from 5th-8th grades. After putting the instrument down throughout high school, Nick began playing with local country bands while in college at Texas A&M University, transforming his playing style from classical to country & rock styles better suited for the scene. For the next 20 years, Nick toured with Texas bands such as Cooder Graw, Cory Morrow, and Jason Boland & the Stragglers, averaging over 150 shows a year playing not only coast to coast across the US, but also in Europe on multiple occasions. In between gigs, Nick returned to college, earning a Minor in Music from Texas State University while playing in a variety of ensembles, from jazz combos to Beethoven string quartets, and performing solo pieces by Paganini, Kreisler, and Bach. Nick is currently semi-retired from touring and continues teaching and recording from his home studio in New Braunfels, TX.  He is an occasional guest lecturer for AMF Scuola di Musica in Moderna, Italy, discussing the history of American fiddle music and enjoys repairing instruments in his spare time.

Texas Fiddle Instructor

Paul Anastasio

The legendary Paul Anastasio (of Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn, the Gatlin Brothers, and many more) was born on April 12, 1953. He grew up in a musical family in Bellingham, WA, and started playing violin at the age of nine. It wasn’t long before he began exploring popular music, jazz, and western swing. In late 1976, Paul met jazz violin pioneer Joe Venuti, inventor of the hot fiddle style, and before long he was jamming onstage with Joe and studying privately with him in Seattle.
Paul fell in love with western swing through Merle Haggard’s vastly influential 1970 LP, A Tribute to the Best Damn Fiddle Player in the World (or My Salute to Bob Wills). At the National Old-Time Fiddle Contest in Weiser, ID, Paul met electric mandolinist and fiddler Tiny Moore, a former Bob Wills Texas Playboy. At the time, Tiny was performing in Merle Haggard’s band, The Strangers, and Paul asked if Tiny might write Merle a letter of introduction. This would have been too much of an imposition, however, as Merle was constantly bombarded by folks trying to pitch songs and more. Tiny did say, though, that he would be glad to introduce Paul to Merle.
Before long, Tiny announced that The Strangers were playing at Harrah’s Casino in Reno. He told Paul, “Merle’s a moody guy. I can’t guarantee that he’ll even give you the time of day. But if you’d like to come to Reno, I’ll try to introduce you.”
As luck would have it, Merle was in fact interested in meeting Paul—and hearing him play. After an audition before Merle and all of The Strangers, joined by Tiny Moore, Eldon Shamblin, and Nashville studio guitarist Grady Martin, Paul was hired on the spot as a member of this prestigious band. An episode of Austin City Limits and nearly six months of touring the U.S. and Europe later, Paul was let go with the assurance that the reason was strictly economic. It seemed that even the Mighty Merle couldn’t quite swing a 12-piece band.
Before long, Paul joined western swingsters Asleep at the Wheel. He joined the day Mount St. Helens erupted and played his first gig near Spokane with everything covered in volcanic ash. Ignoring this obvious omen, he nevertheless stayed for nearly four years. The Wheel was based in Austin, which gave Paul the chance to become well acquainted with legendary fiddler Johnny Gimble.
In fact, soon after Paul gave his notice to Asleep at the Wheel, Johnny called. Would Paul be interested in joining Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers? Well, sure—why not? A move to Nashville and three years of touring with the brothers followed.
Paul then freelanced in Nashville for a few years before fiddler Buddy Spicher got him a job with Loretta Lynn. He worked with Loretta for two years and shortly thereafter returned to his native Pacific Northwest.
Since then, Paul has been actively involved in teaching privately and at music camps and workshops throughout the U.S. and Canada, as well as performing western swing and other fiddle styles.
About 20 years ago, Paul became involved in a serious study of a fast-disappearing southern Mexican traditional violin style. He visited Mexico’s Tierra Caliente region often from 1998 through 2006, recording 3,000 hours of music and transcribing 800 pieces.
Now living in south Louisiana, Paul participates in western swing festivals throughout Texas, including Greenville, Llano, Blanco, San Marcos, and Turkey. He is devoted to preserving and promoting western swing. Among his many projects, Paul continues to build a digital audio archive of the late Johnny Gimble, as well as other western swing gems, to preserve and share.
 

Texas Fiddle Instructor

Ross Schulte

Ross Schulte has over twenty years of experience mixing live audio for various prominent country music bands, as well as Texas A&M Athletics. His involvement began in his high school band room, where he started learning how to run a PA. This led to a degree in Live Sound Reinforcement from South Plains College. Following that, Ross spent 15 years on the road, mixing artists and bands in all kinds of venues ranging from from tiny honkytonks to sold out stadiums. Those artists include Eli Young Band, Josh Abbott Band, and Cody Johnson.  Ross is now the Senior Audio Specialist for Texas A&M Athletics. 

Texas Fiddle Instructor

Wes Barlow

Wes Barlow is a classically trained violist turned fiddle player. He started off in orchestra at age 10, but was quickly drawn into the world of fiddle after hearing the likes of Charlie Daniels and George Strait when he moved to Texas. He continued playing violin throughout middle and high school, and even expanded into playing viola. He was a regular sight at Texas All-Region Orchestra, Solo & Ensemble competitions and the Houston Youth Symphony. As he progressed through high school, he started learning how to play fiddle from some of the local legends around the Katy area. Wes eventually joined a Texas country band in college, and has been a constant in the scene ever since. He resided in College Station for 10 years, playing various genres ranging from country to Irish rock, traveling the country and world in the process. Wes recently joined his fiancé in Colorado and plays full time for Danno Simpson out of Denver. Teaching is one of Wes’s greatest passions, which inspired him to found the Texas Fiddle Clinic.