Randy Foster obtained his first fiddle at the age of nine and while he briefly took lessons his first year, he never got the knack of reading music and so taught himself hundreds of fiddle tunes from various genres “by ear” over the years. 

            As an identical twin, he and his brother sang duet in competition winning many first places.  His natural ability to harmonize in song is also very evident in his fiddle playing.  Whistling is also a talent of Randy’s which he includes on his recordings and in his live performances.

            Randy has been teaching at fiddle camps and workshops across Canada for many years and judges fiddle contests from time to time in his travels.  Well known for his quick wit and spontaneity he is a popular jam leader and emcee at many of these venues.

            Randy’s early influences include Don Messer, Ward Allen, Johnny Mooring and Graham Townsend.  Since 1995 his idol, mentor and best friend, Calvin Vollrath, has inspired and continues to encourage him to grow musically. 

To date Randy has recorded 5 CD’s with matching music books which contain most of his own compositions. 

            Randy is known in the fiddle community as “Randy, The Fiddlin’ Fireman” after a tune of the same name composed for him by Calvin Vollrath.

Randy’s career in the fire service spans 35 years, however his passion for fiddle music and playing fiddle spans a lifetime.

Don Guillemette is from Astorville Ont. from a musical family of 7 boys and 2 girls. He played in Shelburne Fiddle Park for 25 years with his brothers and were known as The Seven Brothers and Friends. He also played with his brother’s band Country Comfort, who entertain for the Sturgeon Falls Fiddle Fest Park every afternoon.

Bev Peffers is from Freelton Ont. She loves to play bass and actually plays for a bluegrass group in Florida and participates in a lot of jam sessions all winter. She also enjoys playing for old tyme fiddlers.

Carmen Butchart--originally from Hope Ness on the Bruce Peninsula, has lived in the London/Dorchester area for many years. He likes to follow the major Fiddle Contests and play together with friends as often as possible.

Harold Good has been playing fiddle all his life. He was born and raised in the small hamlet of Plaster Rock N.B. He played for shows, dances and for the CFNB radio station in Fredericton for 13 years. He also played on the Newcastle Radio station for two years and for CHSJ St John N.B. TV station. The name of his band at the time was "The Country Ramblers" He was known as ‘Harold the fiddler Good’. He met his wife Marg and married, several years later moved his family to Ontario and is currently living in Omemee Ont.

Harold continues to keep up his fiddle playing maintaining a very rigorous schedule since moving to Ontario. Harold, Marg, their son Wayne and Harold's sister Erva Barclay lately have been playing for weddings, Saturday night dances and special occasions. Harold and his Family also attend numerous fiddle contests and spend their time jamming with their numerous friends in the fiddle parks.

Harold is extremely well respected by all his peers and is an accomplished East Coast Old Tyme Fiddler.

NataliePikula is from St Catherines. Ont. is passionate about fiddle music, and wrote a song: (Fiddles sure do make the sweetest music). She was born the youngest of four sisters & four brothers on a farm in N. E. Sask. Her Father and brothers all played fiddle, plus other instruments, they taught her sisters and her to play guitar, when she was seven years old

Pianist Erva Barclay is Harold's sister. She lives in Burlington Ont.

Geoff Horrocks

Bruce Armitage

Bruce Armitage, from North Onslow, (The Pontiac) Quebec, has been associated with the fiddle for over 60 years.  He competed and won his age class in most of the contests in Eastern Canada and the Eastern United States.  He has three (3) recordings of his own compositions and has published 3 music books to accompany each cd. Many of his compositions are played from coast to coast in Canada and the USA. Bruce is also an excellent guitar accompanist for fiddlers.

Bruce will be be performing as part of the "Randy the Fiddlin' Fireman" Band throughout the Festival.

Naomi Bristow

Naomi is twelve years old and hails from a small farm near Beeton, Ontario Canada.

 In the past year she has travelled across the countryside performing for thousands while being rewarded with kindness and admiration from folks of every age.

 Naomi has had the opportunity to meet the most incredible and remarkable people that have embraced her with love and devotion. She will tell you that the very best part of performing are her adoring fans. Among the many accolades received this past year Naomi cherishes the “Fans Choice Award” from the Havelock Jamboree, the “Rising Star Award’ from the BC Cowboy Heritage Festival and The Western Music Association “Youth Yodeler of the Year”.

Naomi has performed on Breakfast Television, YTV, A channel and showcased her talents at the famous Nashville Palace. She has opened for Gene Watson, Jessie Farrell, Aaron Pritchett, The Good Brothers, Larry Mercey and many other established country artists. Naomi has recorded three CD‘s that demonstrate her incredible singing and yodeling talents and she continues to soar as an artist.