Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011 • Local fiddlers and puppy bring home medals from the Western Open

Publisher’s note: This story originally appeared in the Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011 edition of the Lassen County Times.

Last weekend local fiddlers Tallon Sandoval, from Janesville, and Johny McDonald, from Quincy, brought home five medals from the Western Open Fiddling Championships held in Red Bluff.

The contest was held Oct. 21 and 22 and has been held the third weekend in October for the last 20 years.

Sandoval and McDonald placed second in the Twin Fiddling Division. Sandoval placed fifth in the Junior Division. McDonald placed second in the Adult Division. David Johns, of Meadow Valley accompanied the fiddlers on guitar.

Sandoval, McDonald and Benny placed third in a Jukebox Division where you dress up like the tune you are playing.

The duo played a tune called “Satan Takes a Holiday” and Benny played Satan dressed in a demon outfit.

The 14-week-old Australian Shepherd puppy was a real “star” especially when he barked four times in rhythm to the tune at the end of the selection.

The crowd loved him and he got straight 10’s from five judges in “Showmanship and Costume.”

Sandoval and McDonald have been playing in twin fiddling divisions together for the past three years and are now working on a twin fiddle CD project.

Johny McDonald holds Benny Thomasson (demon dog) and Tallon Sandoval holds Foxxmo (angel pup). Both dogs helped the duo at the Western Open Fiddling Championships held in Red Bluff.  The contest was held Oct. 21 and 22 and has been held the third weekend in October for the last 20 years.