The annual "Fiddlers Picnic" hosted by the New York State Old Time Fiddlers Association, c. 1978

Chad's Bio

A Lifelong Passion

Chad's lifelong passion for fiddling began as a young boy in the late 1970s. His grandparents would take him to the annual "Fiddlers' Picnic" in Osceola, NY, hosted by the New York State Old Time Fiddlers Association (NYSOTFA). The cheerful fiddle music, camping, and family fun of this weekend event—still held every July—made a lasting impression. He was especially inspired by the visiting Canadian guest artists, including Graham and Eleanor Townsend, Ed Gyurki, and Tony Burtnik.

He started taking violin lessons in school, but found this formal style uninspiring. Everything changed when he began taking fiddle lessons from Winifred "Murph" Baker, an authentic "Champion fiddler" from Champion, NY. Chad used his great-grandfather's fiddle, sent up from Florida, for these lessons. Murph, who learned many tunes by listening to his mother accompany Leonard Harris at local dances, taught Chad to play "by ear," using personalized cassette recordings.

Murph passed away in 1986, and the loss of his mentor led Chad to set aside the fiddle for a time, a break that continued through his years of service in the U.S. Army.

Upon his return, Chad was eager to reconnect with his music. A visit to the Fiddlers' Picnic where he heard Ivan Hicks of New Brunswick, Canada, play reignited his passion, and he hasn't stopped fiddling since. By the late 1990s, he was playing contra, square, and round dances with the "Crooked Stovepipe" band and with the Central Chapter of the NYSOTFA.

Chad remains highly active in the fiddling community. He's a key member of the Central Chapter of the NYSOTFA, currently serving as its vice president. He continues to perform, teach, and entertain both individually and with the Central Chapter Fiddlers.

Chad at the annual New York State Old Time Fiddlers Association's "Fiddlers' Picnic" in Osceola, NY around 1980.

Chad's fiddle teacher, Winifred "Murph" Baker (1911-1986).

Chad as a young boy at home playing the fiddle his grandfather Cooper bought for him.

New York State Fiddler's Hall of Fame plaque at the North American Fiddlers Hall of Fame and Museum, Osceola, NY.

Chad's great-grandparents were Kenneth "Roger" and Edna Richmond. Roger played the fiddle at dances when he was a young man. Later, when Chad needed an instrument to learn on, Roger sent his fiddle up from Florida for his great-grandson to use.

FIDDLING

I took piano lessons back,

When I was only nine.

And practiced on a pump organ,

But could not keep the time.

When I was twelve, my father bought

A violin for me.

I studied for a year or two,

And then I let it be.

I practiced off and on for years,

Then gave the thing a rest.

I could not make it sound just right.

Not even at my best.

In nineteen hundred thirty-three,

With nothing much to do,

I had the urge to play again,

And tried a tune or two.

I got together with some friends,

And formed a little band.

We played for dances Friday nights,

For o'er a two year span.

The dances were both round and square.

We had no great expense.

'Twas during the depression years.

We each got fifty cents.

I haven't played o'er thirty years.

My violin is gone.

My grandson was aplaying it,

And fiddling along.

Poem written by Chad's great grandfather, Kenneth Roger Richmond (1905-2007)

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