On October 3, 2026, I had a minor accident involving the third finger of my left hand. Being a fiddler, this could have been disastrous for me. Eight sutures were installed by the local emergency room team. Thankfully, the laceration has healed, and I am playing again.
Although my life didn’t exactly flash before my eyes, it did make me remember all the wonderful musical influences in my life who are no longer with us. Harold “Chuck” Luce of Chelsea, my musical mentor and second father, taught thousands of people how to play his style of fiddling. It was just about 35 years ago that I stepped into his kitchen for my first lesson. Harold did the traditional tunes, but also embraced older popular music, Tin Pan Alley, Country-Western, and church hymns — all of which he played in a smooth and steady manner.
Wayne Doyle, also of Chelsea, played second fiddle with Harold for years. Although Wayne wasn’t as smooth a player as Harold, I fondly remember times when Wayne and I played together by ourselves — he played fiddle, and I accompanied him on piano.
Paul Roy of Lebanon was a piano-player, singer, and composer of a number of songs. His energy and positive outlook were infectious. Paul was very generous in sharing sheet music and lyrics.
Bob Dean of Bethel was a tenor banjo player who played with a great deal of enthusiasm. He could play a number of instruments, but banjo was his specialty. Bob stuck to a number of the Tin Pan Alley and older popular hits of the 1920s through the 1940s, but certainly could do a number of the so-called “fiddle tunes.”
Olin Turner, also of Bethel, was a tenor sax player who played with Bob Dean in the Bethel Pea Pickers for many years. I was very fortunate to have played with Olin on occasion, especially during the last few years of his life, when he joined Harold Luce, Wayne Doyle, Paul Roy, and me, playing at the various senior meal sites and nursing homes we did every month.
I also think of the players who are still alive, but have had to stop playing, due to illness, loss of hearing, hand issues, or other problems. It makes me feel a bit guilty to still have my musical abilities.
For many years, I played for the old-style contra dances and Eastern square dances. I also played at various fiddle contests and non-competitive fiddle meets.
The style of music I do isn’t strictly traditional; it is a collection of many different genres and styles. Unfortunately, I don’t really seem to fit in with a number of the local jam sessions in the Upper Valley. Hardly any of them know the old standards which I used to do many times a month with Harold Luce and others.
Fortunately, I am very lucky to have a great back-up guitarist, namely Dave Richard of Corinth. Dave and I met about 25 years ago in a weekly jam group called “No Strings Attached.” This informal gathering, which happened every Monday evening, met in private homes between East Orange and East Topsham. Dave relishes the old Tin-Pan Alley, Big Band swing numbers, and show tunes, but also enjoys playing chords for “fiddle tunes.” He didn’t always like this kind of music, but has come to appreciate these styles as fun and energizing melodies, with great chord progressions.
Dave and I don’t get many requests to play “all over creation,” but we do manage to play at a nursing home once in a while, or maybe as background musicians for a craft fair, retirement party, or a wedding. One of our best gigs in 2026 was playing for the Topsham Historical Society. Getting paid for our efforts is always nice, but it’s not the only reason we play. Many times, our highest pay is in the compliments we get from elderly listeners, such as, “You brought back so many memories — thanks for playing.”
On December 18, I will be entering my 60th year, or three-score. While I am grateful for every playing opportunity, there’s another side of me frustrated that my abilities and experience aren’t better utilized, both in performing and mentoring. I have been writing down, in musical notation format, tunes that I haven’t found in existing sheet music, or aren’t written the way I play them. In arranging and organizing them, I hope these favorite pieces of mine will find a new set of musical practitioners as passionate about them as I am. After all, I won’t be here forever, and like the old song goes, “May the Circle Be Unbroken.” I hope that my presence has brought, and will continue, to bring pleasure to others.
Adam Boyce grew up in Williamstown, Vermont, and now lives in West Windsor. Contact arbvtfiddler@gmail.com or (802) 484-7719 for questions or further information.