09/05/2026
Violin or Fiddle?
I’m gonna let y’all decide this one.
Around 2004, my grandmother was diagnosed with macular degeneration. She knew time was not on her side, and she didn’t want to leave my mom with a lifetime of possessions to sort through. So one day, Mom and I went over to help her start going through things, and I got sent out to clean the shed.
And there, in an old aquarium tank, I found this.
I carried it inside and asked my grandmother about it.
“Oh, honey. That was your great-great-great-grandfather’s.”
Well, immediately I wanted to know everything.
She went to another closet, pulled out this photograph and said, “And here he is with his band.”
And just like that, she gave me the instrument and the photograph.
I’ve had them ever since.
Now, after looking at this band, I want to know what you think they played. And while we’re at it—is this a violin or a fiddle?
Next time you’re at the Big Muddy Inn for one of our shows, go look at the instrument. Then head over to the stairs and find this photograph of the people who once played alongside it.
There are so many stories in this old house. Some belong to Natchez. Some belong to the blues. And some, like this one, belong to my family.
So tell me: violin or fiddle? And what kind of music do you think this band was playing?
Tickets for our 2026–27 season go on sale TODAY at 10 a.m. Central.
We hope you’ll come make a few more stories with us at the Big Muddy Inn.
