Spokane area fiddler Sheila Wright O’Brien began her musical career in the third grade when her parents tired of hearing her one finger piano serenades. In 1966 her family joined the Old Time Fiddlers Association after a cross town dash to win a roll of waxed paper by identifying “Flop Eared Mule” played on the radio. Her father bought her a $15 fiddle at a thrift shop because he wanted the ivory frog on the bow, and she’s played that fiddle for more than 40 years. 

Sheila began fiddling in school in 1967 and entered her first contest, the national contest at Weiser, the next summer. She has won many local and regional titles (including accompanist) as well as two national titles. Sheila will judge the national contest at Weiser for the third time this summer. In addition to competing and judging, she has taught fiddling for many years; her favorite part is teaching other people to have as much fun with the fiddle as she has.