103-Year-Old Fiddler’s Emotional Debut Will Make Viewers Cheer

Jul 17, 2020 by apost team

Violet Hensley, 103, from Yellville, Arkansas has spent nearly 50 years performing at the Silver Dollar City theme park in Branson, Missouri, where she still entertains crowds by playing the fiddles she's crafted by hand. But on August 6, 2016, when she was 99 years old, Hensley's lifelong dream came true when she stepped inside the hallowed circle on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry.

One of the most unfortunate facts of life is that there is a limited time for pursuing hobbies and other interests. Violet Hensley has managed to create a remarkable catalog of recreations despite this constraint everyone faces.

Violet Hensley is a woman of many talents. Like many individuals, she enjoys sewing, canning, and gardening for her family, friends, and neighbors, according to the Arkansas Arts Council. In the past, she also broke in and rode horses.

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As Violet began having health issues, her doctors demanded that she stop riding horses bareback. Since this Violet is no wallflower, she took up a new hobby. Violet now clog dances five days per week.

While Violet's feet are hitting the dance floor, her nimble fingers are running up and down her fiddle's neck. Violet has played this popular Ozark instrument for many years. When asked about this hobby, Violet says, "I get started… and I just don't want to quit."

Violet gets just as much joy from making fiddles as she does playing them. She spends quite a bit of time carefully bending, carving, and testing her new creations in her kitchen. Although her vision has declined, decades of experience have given Violet the ability to create a fiddle by feel.

Despite all these fantastic hobbies and creations, it would seem that all there wouldn't be any dreams left. Yet, Violet had one more goal that she couldn't let go. She always wanted to play the fiddle with the Grand Ole Opry.

A few years ago, a spry 99-year-old wowed a crowd with her bluegrass rendition of Angelina Baker. The band struggled to keep up. The Grand Ole Opry's band had met their musical match.

If anything, Violet's passion for the fiddle and advice to not quit has the power to push you into action. In addition to playing the instrument, she also makes them.  She has carved at least 73 fiddles, according to The National Fiddler Hall of Fame.

What do you think of this remarkable woman? Maybe you've spent your life pursuing a passion or two. Please spend a few moments telling the world about it here or through another social media community online. You never know who is reading, and your words have the power to spark a revolution.