Athens native Daniel Carwile and his wife Amy own and operate Carwile String Studio in Lexington, Kentucky. The couple met at a Fiddlers Convention in Idaho.

This week I spoke with Daniel Carwile, who has won the title of Fiddle King seven times at the Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention. We spoke by phone since Daniel was in Lexington, Kentucky.

He is originally from Athens, and was born in the Athens Hospital. He graduated from Athens High School and attended the University of North Alabama where he earned his bachelor’s in music education.

After college, Daniel was the assistant band director at Athens High School under Dan Havely and then at the middle school with Patrick Bacon.

Daniel will be a judge at this year’s Fiddlers Convention. He’s played fiddle for more than 35 years and said his love of music began when he was three. His mother sat him in a rocking chair at their home so he could watch his dad’s band play on Sunday afternoons. His dad played the mandolin and sang, and Jerry McGlocklin played the fiddle.

Going to the convention was a tradition in Daniel’s family. He won his first competition in the beginners category at 10 years old.

His father worked for the state. On the weekends, his dad would help Daniel’s grandfather at the Bill Carwile Barber Shop on Marion Street. On Saturday afternoons in the barber shop, Daniel’s brother John would play the guitar while Daniel played the fiddle. Some men would come in not to get a haircut but instead to listen to the music.

Daniel and his wife Amy teach music in their own studio in Lexington, Kentucky, called Carwile String Studio. The couple met at a Fiddlers Convention in Idaho. Daniel says his oldest student is 82 and his youngest is five.

In other happenings:

• The Winter Buckle Series will be at the 2-S Arena on Thach Road at 3 p.m. Sunday. For more information contact Mindy Sanders 256-278-5758.

• The Athens-Limestone Visitors Center Haunts Walk set for Tuesday is sold out. There are other Haunts Walk dates available, but those interested should get tickets soon because they sell out quickly. Tickets are $5. Tuesday is my birthday, and I will be going on the Haunts Walk led by Bill Ward.

• College Prep for Nontraditional Students will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Athens-Limestone Public Library. Call Kris at 256-232-1233 for more information.

• The Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention will be Oct. 7-8 on the campus of Athens State University. Visit www.athens.edu/fiddlers for more information.