DEWAYNE HOLLOWAY|dewayne@mcnews.online
HOT SPRINGS – Montgomery County native and folk music legend Violet Hensley was the subject of a livestream presented by the Arkansas Highlands Folk Project and the Garland County Library.
Hensley is 105 years old and still plays fiddle whenever given the opportunity. She crafted her first fiddle at age 15 and has made over 70 fiddles in her lifetime. She currently lives in Yellville where she and her husband moved when she was 18. Violet took a break from crafting fiddles while raising her nine children, but returned to entertaining audiences in the 1960s. She joined the Silver Dollar City family in 1967 where she performed regularly until recently.
She has been featured on several television shows throughout the 70’s and 80’s, including The Beverly Hillbillies and Captain Kangaroo. She was named an Arkansas Living Treasure in 2004 and joined the Fiddle Players Hall of Fame in 2018. She has also performed multiple times on the Grand Ole Opry.
The video featuring Violet was livestreamed December 29 on the Garland County Library’s Facebook and Youtube channels. Those wishing to watch the video can do so on both sites.
The program is hosted by Paul Kakebein, Garland County Library Adult Services Programmer, and Charlie Moore, Founder of the Arkansas Highlands Folk Project. The program included video recorded with Violet Hensley from her home in Yellville.
