1969 ~ 2005  

In the latter part of his life, Greg Hooven had two different fiddles that he played with a passion and a power that transformed those fiddles and him into one soul. That soul created hauntingly beautiful sounds;  sounds that were distinctly unique and clearly recognizable as Greg's own. Jason Sypher, a professional musician and now long time Galax Old Fiddler's Convention regular, eloquently described his first experience hearing Greg's musical genius this way: 

 "Along the rickety walk home I heard a sound. It was a fiddle. I could hear it in the night swooping, darting, crying, laughing. I never heard anything like it before. Being a jazzbo all I could think of was John Coltrane, it was that intense. I weaved through the power lines and RVs and I found a little jam session with just a few candles. That's when I first saw Greg and the moment changed the course of my life. I just couldn't believe the sound and control that this guy had with his phrasing. The only thing I could think of at the time was some kind of bird, like a sparrow, like a master of flight. There was joy, overwhelming joy, and pain, a dark kind of existential pain that we have all felt from time to time. It was complete and it was frighteningly strong. The band did its best to match his expression but there was only chasing this fiddler". Jason Sypher, Brooklyn, NY 

In my opinion, in his prime, there was no better Old Time Fiddler anywhere. He created a special sound; with Hooven carrying on the great string band fiddle traditions of his mentors using those two distinct fiddles. One fiddle (with the distinctive eagle headstock) was made by Tommy Barr of Barr's Fiddle Shop in Galax, Virginia. The second was a violin that Greg had reworked by Oded Kishony of Kishony Violins  in Barboursville, Virginia.  Basic descriptions of each fiddle is provided below. As I get more details, I will add them.

Karin Morra Magno

The Tommy Barr Fiddle

I am hoping to find a defintive description of this instrument such as Year Made, Materials, etc. This fiddle has very distinctively carved eagle headstock which is particularly visible in the lower picture. Both pictures were taken at the Mt. Airy Fiddler's Convention in the mid-90's. Pictures are Chester McMillian, Nick McMillian, Dix Freeman, Ray Chatfield, and Marvin Cockram. Another unique feature of this fiddle is that there is a rattlesnake rattle inside  this fiddle.  There are many theories why Old-Time fiddlers added this rattlesnake rattle. It may have been done for  good luck before a fiddle contest, perhaps a belief that it improved the sound, or any of a number of other  reasons. The hot link above describes several of these theories. Thanks in advance for your help in helping better describe this fiddle.  I understand that this Tommy Barr fiddle is currently being very abley played by a local Blue Ridge area fiddler who is carrying on the great old time string band tradition. Please send any additional information, corrections, or pictures  you may have to Karin at greghoovenarchives@yahoo.com .

 Additional photos of the Oded Kishony Violin

The Oded Kishony Fiddle 

This is the fiddle that Oded Kishony made for Greg. It was his pride and joy and sadly, found itself in pawn shops from time to time, but either Greg, family or friends always managed to get it back. It safely resides with Greg's dad.  The top picture was taken in 1998 at The Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia in Staunton, VA. The bottom picture was taken at Nancy and Bill Sluy's house in 2001 at the Bobville Brunch. Pictured also is Rafe Stefannini.

Although it is likely that Oded would describe this instrument as a violin, when Greg played it, it was a fiddle through and through.