Whittlin' and Fiddlin' My Own Way: The Violet Hensley Story - Paperback

by Randall Franks (Author), Violet Hensley (Author)

"Whittlin' and Fiddlin' My Own Way" reflects nearly a century of experiences through the eyes of Silver Dollar City personality Violet Hensley. The Arkansas Living Treasure Award winner from Yellville, Arkansas learned to fiddle in 1928 and make fiddles watching her father George W. Brumley in the community of Alamo, Arkansas in 1932. She raised a family of nine with her late husband Adren Hensley while he moved the family from town to town and state to state. With the advent of the folk music revival, Violet's blossoming musical and fiddle-making talents, caught the attention of Grammy (R) winner Jimmy Driftwood and the owners of Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri. She joined the crafter's cast at Silver Dollar City in 1967, becoming part of the City's celebrities who used radio, television, and newspapers to invite visitors to the amusement park. Sharing her talents in front of millions, she appeared at the Festival of American Folklife and on television shows such as "The Beverly Hillbillies," "Captain Kangaroo," and "Live with Regis and Kathie Lee."

Author Biography

The Arkansas Living Treasure Award winner Violet Hensley, 97, of Yellville, Arkansas learned to fiddle in 1928 and make fiddles watching her father in 1932. She raised a family of nine with her late husband Adren Hensley while he moved the family from town to town and state to state. With the advent of the folk music revival, Violet's blossoming musical and fiddle-making talents, caught the attention of Grammy (R) winner Jimmy Driftwood and the owners of Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri. She joined the crafter's cast at Silver Dollar City in 1967, becoming part of the City's celebrities who used radio, television, and newspapers to invite visitors to the amusement park. Sharing her talents in front of millions, she appeared at the Festival of American Folklife and on television shows such as "The Beverly Hillbillies," "Captain Kangaroo," and "Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee." For more information, visit http: //violethensley.com/. In her autobiography, he partners with author Randall Franks, "Officer Randy Goode" from TV's "In the Heat of the Night," a role he performed on NBC and CBS from 1988-1993. The Independent Country Music Hall of Fame member is also an International Bluegrass Music Museum Legend honored by He has co-starred or starred in 14 films with superstars including Dolly Parton, Christian Slater, William Hurt and Stella Parton and legendary western star "Doc" Tommy Scott. His most recent film is "Lukewarm" with John Schneider, Nicole Gale Anderson and Bill Cobbs. The award-winning fiddler's musical stylings have been heard in 150 countries and by more than 25 million Americans. His musical career boasts 19 album releases, 19 singles, and over 200 recordings with various artists from various genres. He authored five books including "Encouragers I: Finding the Light," "A Mountain Pearl: Appalachian Reminiscing and Recipes;" "Stirring Up Success with a Southern Flavor" and "Stirring Up Additional Success with a Southern Flavor" with Shirley Smith; and "Snake Oil, Superstars and Me" with "Doc" Tommy Scott and Shirley Swiesz. The award-winning journalist is a syndicated columnist with his "Southern Style" appearing weekly in newspapers from North Carolina to Texas and at http: //randallfranks.com/.