Cook fiddles to nationals ! bet you didn't know it but I'm a fiddle player too, and if you care to take a dare I'll make a bet with you. You play pretty good fiddle boy, but give the devil his due. I bet this fiddle of gold against your soul 'cause I think I'm better than you." Todd, a freshman music major, traveled from his home in Russelville, Ark. to Mountain View, Ark. with his family to the contest. He had already won the Arkansas Fiddling Competition and now was competing in his toughest and most prestigious contest yet, The Nationals. They were sponsored by the Society for the Preservation of Blue Grass Music in America (SPBGMA). There were 30 contestants. "My goal was to make it to the top ten," said Cook. He placed 14th in 1986 and 13th in 1987. Round one consisted of a hoedown and a waltz to the 1,000 member crowd. When Todd's turn finally came up on Saturday morning, he played "Sally Johnson" for his hoedown and "The Dreamer's Waltz". Ronald Douglas Smith - Blythev ill e, AR Tammy Jo Smith - Ozark, MO Julie Smoker - Sea rcy, AR Kevin Lee Snell - Oza rk , AL Scott Len Snowden - Olathe, KS Lesty Daryanti Soehendra - Indones ia Bruce Dudley Soule - Gravette, AR Rebecca Beth Sowell - Woodstock, GA Carla Ann Sparks - St. Loui s, MO Amy Joanne Spayde - N. Canton, OH James M. S pearman - W. Palm Beach, FL Debora Denise Spears - Forrest City, AR Brian Robert Speer - Sachse, TX Alisa Renae S peice - Yuma , AZ 292 People for keeps "I was surprised to find that I scored as high as fourth,' ' said Todd. "But I knew things could change in the second round." Round two was a repeat except that they all played different numbers. Todd's version of "Tom and Jerry" and "Whistler's Waltz" earned him fifth. The cut off for round three was the top 15 so he was in the finals. Before the Sunday finals, the contestants all retired to the lodge for a little rest and a chance to share musical tips. "In Houston they might throw us out for playing music in the lobby but in Mountain View they don't mind," he said. The winner of the contest would win $1000 cash. Todd realized this but kept his composure as the third and final round started. Todd played "Soppin' the Gravey" (hoedown), "Morning Start" (waltz), and his choice was "The Wild Fiddler's Rag." The final 15 played and then it was the judge's turn.' They tallied scores, conversed with each other, and wrote notes for about 30 minutes. Finally they reached their decision. They started announcing the winners 10 .. . 9 ... 8 .. . 7 ... 6 . . . 5, Todd Cook. He surpassed his goal to be in the top 10 by placing fifth in the nation. "My friends have been real supportive. Without them I would not be where I am today,' ' he said. And so on that Halloween weekend Todd didn't win a FIDDLING AROUND. Freshman Todd Cook performed for the student body during chapel on February 9th. Cook played selections from his competitions that took him to 5th place in the nation. -Photo by Sharon Bowles. fiddle of gold. But he walked away with a trophy, $200, and the joy of knowing he placed fifth in a national contest. -Sharon Bowles
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