Young fiddle player finds success in bluegrass roots

November 19, 2019 | 3:10 am

Updated November 18, 2019 | 10:05 pm

Photo contributed by Mackenzie Bell

At the age of 13, fiddle player Mackenzie Bell is already going places. She just returned from the Georgia Mountain Fall Festival where she was the Beginning Fiddler first place winner for the Georgia’s Official State Fiddler’s Convention.

Bell, who is homeschooled and lives in Ohio County, said that she has always been surrounded by music and that most people in her family play an instrument or sing. Her cousins have performed on the Grand Ole Opry stage in Nashville, Tenn. as part of the Crossmen Gospel Quartet.

When she was younger, Bell began playing the piano and dulcimer, but she did not enjoy them.

“Then one day, when I was 7, Mama and I were listening to a Bill Monroe CD and I heard Kenny Baker play ‘Jerusalem Ridge,’” Bell said. “It was like lightning hit me.”

At 8 years old, Bell began coming to Owensboro and taking lessons twice a week with Randy Lanham. Now 13 years old, she practices the fiddle for two hours a day — more if she has an upcoming show or competition.

“To get ready for the Georgia State contest I practiced about two to three hours a day those last few weeks before the contest. It paid off because I won,” Bell said.

Lanham said that he enjoys that Bell works hard for everything she has accomplished musically, and that her accomplishments and awards are because of her dedication to her practicing. He also said that anytime a musician wins a state competition, it is “a feather in the cap,” no matter what state it is.

“A lot of southern states have them [state competitions], and they are exciting,” said Lanham.

Bell specializes in bluegrass and gospel music and said she has not been trained in classical music nor does she want to be. She loves sharing the older, more traditional world of bluegrass music with people and said that it is important to share the culture and traditions that go along with bluegrass music.

Lanham agrees with Bell and appreciates her commitment to preserving the “old-time mountain music,” a genre Lanham said he learned from his now 95-year-old granddad.

“He always says to keep it alive,” Lanham said. “Mackenzie’s learning the music and recording it is very vital to bluegrass music.”

When Bell is performing, the crowd’s energy is something she enjoys hearing and seeing, along with the sound of her boots as she walks across the stage and the “whoosh” the microphone makes as she steps up to it, she said.

“It’s just magical and I’d do it 24/7 if I could,” she said.

Bell hopes that in her future, she will have the opportunity to play on the Grand Ole Opry stage, possibly while living in Nashville, and she also hopes to tour — all the while playing music that is both original and the classics. She has two albums of music and has also written a couple of original songs, “Angel Wing Waltz,” which is copyrighted, and “Kitty Cat Blues.”

Bell’s two cats have inspired some of her songs, as well as some people, and she is currently recording her third CD.

“My Mama and my Mimi [grandmother] inspire me, too,” she said. “They are very strong women who have sacrificed a lot so I could have my music…they show me every day that girls can do anything and that being yourself and standing for what is right are two of the most important things.”

Most of all, Bell said, she is inspired by God, who gave her her family and talent.

“He has given me so many blessings and opportunities and I always want to put Him first in my life and share His love through my music,” she said. “I enjoy making people happy with my music – to stand on the stage and use the talent God gave me to help or inspire others.”

Bell often plays at her church and at local nursing homes. Lanham believes that her giving back by sharing her music is just as important as playing her music.

“Some of my favorite events to play at are veterans events. I feel so honored to be able to thank our service men and women for all they have done,” Bell said.

Although Bell likes modern bluegrass music, she said that the old style and ways of playing could disappear if it isn’t played and shared, so she will continue to play the traditional style.

“The old traditions are so important and kids like me need to carry those forward so they don’t die out,” Bell said. “There’s an amazing culture that goes with bluegrass music that has so much to offer people. The traditional bluegrass needs to be preserved and I feel a real responsibility to help to do that.”

Bell has a Facebook page as well as a YouTube channel so that people can see her music and style.

November 19, 2019 | 3:10 am

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