Patrick McAvinue, “Der Belsnickel”

When Patrick McAvinue was awarded IBMA Fiddle Player of the Year in 2017, only six other fiddlers had ever won the award — one of them had won it eleven times. In the past handful of years the consistent, predictable fields of nominees in the instrumentalist categories have begun opening up more and more. Voters are now recognizing younger, up-and-coming musicians alongside returning stalwarts, rather than just the same old guard making it to the final round of voting year after year.

McAvinue is undoubtedly part of this “new wave” in bluegrass and that’s not simply due to the inventory in his trophy case. He’s toured with traditional bluegrassers Audie Blaylock & Redline as well as the more country-infused, Southern gospel-steeped bluegrass entertainers Dailey & Vincent, and his own cross-genre and folk outfit, Charm City Junction. In bluegrass, a genre that capitalizes on virtuosity — and often as a result, specialization — McAvinue demonstrates that a diverse approach isn’t necessarily a pitfall.

His brand new solo record, Perfect Fit, takes this idea to its utmost potential (there’s a Radiohead cover on the album). Another track, “Der Belsnickel,” is an impossibly quick, slightly atonal frolic — one that definitely calls to mind the episode of The Office referenced by the song’s title. Remember Dwight’s Schrute family holiday traditions? If you do, hold those in mind while this tune blazes by, performed in this video by McAvinue, his bandmates with Dailey & Vincent, and Matt Menefee on banjo. You’ll surely find “Der Belsnickel” is both impish and admirable.

3×3: Oh, Jeremiah on Stealing Blazers, Getting Tackled, and Beer Me Five

Artist: Jeremiah Stricklin (of Oh, Jeremiah)
Hometown:  Hattiesburg, MS
Latest Album: The Other End of Passing Time
Rejected Band Names: Voldemort Jr, Diet Michael Stipe, or Powder

If you had to live the life of a character in a song, which song would you choose?
Paul Simon's "Graceland." I would want to be Paul's child from his first marriage. And while we're driving across Memphis, he tells me about this girl in NYC who calls herself a human trampoline. We'd laugh, and then make the greatest album of all time.

Where would you most like to live or visit that you haven't yet? 
Australia or the Grand Budapest Hotel.

What was the last thing that made you really mad? 
Someone stole my kelly green sports blazer. I've had it since the eighth grade. I bought it at a thrift store. People just assumed I was good at golf, just by wearing it. Now I have to actually learn how to play.

 

Quality time with my nephew.

A photo posted by Oh, Jeremiah (@oh_jeremiah) on

What's the best concert you've ever attended? 
The National live at the Ryman in Nashville, Tennessee. Matt Berninger came into the crowd and tackled the guy next to me during "Mr. November." I was jealous it wasn't me.

Who is your favorite Clinton: Hillary, Bill, or George?
Is George the one from House of Cards?

What are you reading right now? 
The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen

Whiskey, water, or wine? 
Whiskey. It makes me look richer.

North or South? 
I was born in the Free State of Jones (Laurel, Mississippi). By law, I have to say the South.

Steve Carell or Ricky Gervais? 
Steve Carell. The American version of The Office is my all-time favorite TV show and defined my high school years. I also can't begin to guess how many date nights Erin and I spent watching The Office reruns. Beer me five.