With over a decade of touring to date, The Purple Hulls have delivered their authentic dynamic sister duo to concert halls, churches, and festivals across North America, Europe, Scandinavia, & beyond. Hailing from the deep piney woods of East Texas, you could easily say these two musicians were born to make music together. Identical twins Katy Lou and Penny Lea Clark were raised on a working family farm, and while singing was always a part of everyday life, their journey of learning instruments got serious when they made their way to the cotton fields of South Plains College in Levelland, TX, where they were recruited first and foremost to play basketball for the school’s NJCAA championship team. After coming to grips with the fact that there weren’t enough hours in a day to pursue banjo, guitar, and mandolin while playing competitive college ball, the twins hung up their jerseys and turned their full fledge attention to soaking up whatever they could learn in three years’ time at “bluegrass college”.

While the disciplines of growing up on the farm helped shape Katy and Penny’s work ethic, it didn’t stop the Texans from finding their way to the hills of Tennessee (post college), specifically, Music City, where they began touring with various country artists and writing songs for Nashville’s largest publishing company, Sony Tree. In late 2012, after the release of their second studio project, their father’s illness led them back to the farm to help care for him and also manage farm duties, which included the planting and harvesting of their favorite crop and namesake, purple hull peas. A strong musical heritage from their mother’s side has paved the way from the beginning, and it’s safe to say that their musical offerings are shaped by their love of the Gospel truth, Texas Swing, unique sibling harmony, bluegrass pickin’, and life lessons. It’s no wonder they are considered a true Texas treasure, and a multi award winning band to boot.

Banjo, mandolin, guitar, piano, accordion, stand-up bass, and maybe even a fiddle at times—while the band’s variety of stripped-down acoustic instrumentation is one you don’t often find in a configuration of its size, the skill and energy at which it is executed may have you astounded at the fullness of its sound. If you’re looking for authentic acoustic driven music delivered at its best, the buck stops here, and the Purple Hulls more than thrilled to have you alongside their musical journey with them.

“ONE OF THE FINEST MUSICAL ACTS I’VE EVER SEEN.”

~ DENNIS CLUTE

Contest begins at 9:00am

Come one, come all and enjoy the musical offerings of Arizona’s most talented fiddlers. From the youngest (small fry) to the eldest (senior), we’re sure that you will be delighted by their talent. Bring the family and some chairs and join us at Green Valley Park for a truly enjoyable afternoon full of music and sunshine.

9:00am | Introductions & National Anthem

9:15am | Small Fry Division (ages 3-9), Junior Junior Division (ages 10-12), Junior Division (ages 13-17)

10:45am | Break

11:00am | Twin Fiddle, Trick Fiddle, Cross Tuned, Fancy Fiddle & awards announcement and/or tie breakers for Small Fry, Junior Junior, Junior Divisions

11:30pm | Young Adult Division (ages 18-39), Senior Division (ages 65+), Adult Division (ages 40-65), Cross Tuned

1:15pm | Break

1:30pm | Awards announcement and/or tie breakers for Young Adult, Senior and Adult Divisions + Twin and Cross Tuned, Trick, and Fancy.

2:00pm | Fiddler’s Jam in the Park (if time allows) 

Above events are free for spectators. Fiddle Contest participants can register at the below button. 

Gospel Concert Begins at 9:00am

It’s time to wrap up the weekend of fiddle on Sunday at Green Valley Park. Join us for more live music and the Arizona Fiddle Grand Championships. Bring the family and your lawn chairs. It’s a toe-tapping good time!

9:00am | Gospel Program Performance by Incidental Bluegrass

11:30am | Grand Champion Division