Artist Bios

Calvin Vollrath

Calvin's love for music began at an early age when he used to mimic his father Art "Lefty" Vollrath with two butter knives. His father developed his own reputation as a great fiddler and passed on the family tradition. Calvin was raised on the Don Messer's Jubilee and at the age of 8, received his first fiddle. It was soon apparent Calvin was a natural. At 13, he entered his first fiddle contest and at the age of 17, he was already winning the Championship class. Calvin was twice crowned the Grand North American Old Tyme Fiddle Champion.

Calvin is a musical prodigy. To date, he has composed over 350 fiddle tunes, many of which have become standard contest and dance tunes across Canada. His influence in the fiddle world is very evident. He has to his credit, over 40 of his own albums, numerous music books of his original tunes and one instructional video & an instructional DVD. Calvin was commissioned to write the theme for the international fiddle convention "Fiddles of the World", held in Halifax NS in July 1999. Fiddlers around the world are playing this dynamic tune, by the same name. When Calvin writes a tune for an individual, a place or an event, he has an uncanny sense of capturing their personality or expressing its atmosphere.

Calvin is very active in the teaching aspect of fiddle music and is touted by the Saskatchewan Cultural Exchange Society as one of the driving forces behind the revitalization of fiddle music. Calvin teaches annually at the Emma Lake Fiddle Camp in Saskatchewan and at the Canadian Grand Masters Fiddle Camp in Ottawa since their inception. He also teaches at numerous workshops throughout Canada and the United States. In August 2005 Calvin received the "Lifetime Achievement Award" from The Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Championship, in recognition and appreciation of his outstanding contribution to Old Time Fiddling.

Calvin is a world-class fiddler and represents Canada internationally. In August of 2001, Calvin was a feature performer at the Closing Ceremonies of the World Track & Field Games in Edmonton Alberta. Since his participation at the 2000 World Music Expo (WOMEX) in Berlin Germany, Calvin has toured several European countries. From 1994-1996, he was musical director for Hank Smith & Wild Rose Country while touring Europe.

Calvin has recorded with the likes of Ian Tyson, George Fox, Colleen Peterson, Laura Vinson to name a few and still very much in demand as a studio musician for various Canadian artists and film and television productions. Calvin has appeared on many television shows including CTV's "Sun Country" featuring Ian Tyson, CTV's "Number I West" featuring Brian Sklar and was the music director for CBC's "Native Nashville North." CBC's "Adrienne Clarkson Presents" aired a documentary on metis fiddle music featuring Calvin Vollrath and John Arcand.

Calvin is a pleasure to watch on stage, his love for music is contagious and he can bring an audience to their feet. As one lady said after a Calvin Vollrath performance, "If I don't go to heaven when I die, I've been there tonight" and another remarked "If you can't dance to that, you better check your pulse".

Calvin Vollrath is a veteran recognized for his performing, teaching, judging and composing abilities. Calvin is now producing recordings for fiddlers from across the country in his home studio in St. Paul Alberta. Calvin is a premiere fiddler who is constantly in demand.

Visit Calvin Vollrath's website at:
www.CalvinVollrath.com