At the age of 6, Roy lost the sight in his left eye and fingers on his left hand to a dynamite cap explosion. As a result of these childhood injuries, he is unable to hold and chord any stringed instrument in the usual fashion. With the help from family and friends, Roy devised a contraption he calls his "GUT STRAP." He wears the gut strap similiar to a belt. Instead of holding up his pants, the gut strap holds up the fiddle! Using a belt, Roy fastens the 'Gut Strap' around his waist. The cushioned arm holds the fiddle in place as he plays/frets over the top. A large rubber band is fastened over the scroll of the fiddle to keep it from 'floating' when pressure is applied as he frets the fiddle. A very unique device for a very unique fiddler!

Roy has performed on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry numerous times as a guest of the late Roy Acuff, the "King of Country Music," and as a guest of Charlie Walker. He has also performed on the Ralph Emory Show. Roy played for Ralph Sloan and the The Tennessee Travelers and later for Melvin Sloan for The Melvin Sloan Dancers, which were the colorfully dressed square dancers on the Grand Ole Opry. Roy was also priviledged to perform with the late Box Car Willie on his show in Branson, Missouri. Roy was also featured on the television show, "That's Incredible," during the 1980's. Roy was a judge at the Grand Masters Fiddling Contest in Nashville for 17 years. Roy states, "I have had the priviledge of watching aspiring young musicians, such as Mark O'Conner, make their mark on the Bluegrass, Classical, and Country Music industry. While performing as a special entertainer at the Grand Masters Fiddling Contest, a film crew from England recorded my performance and was later aired on British Network Television. Roy equiped with a quick wit, grace and charm to supplement his musical abilities, is a musician's musician, yet he is reluctant to indulge in self-promotion. After his childhood injuries, Roy told his family, "Someday I will play on the Grand Old Opry." He is one of the lucky individuals who have their childhood dreams come true. Always modest, Roy says about himself, "I'm a fair musician, but I am an entertainer at heart. I had to work twice as hard to be half as good as other musicians." If you poll other observers, though, you will find that Roy Thackerson is a remarkable person who brings SUNSHINE to the lives of those he encounters and always leaves audiences with a fond, lasting impression. www.fingerlessfiddler.com


Other bands booked for 2011.

Check back later for pictures and bio information, along with a performance schedule!

Bluefield Express

Mark Phillips & IIIrd Generation

Triple L

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Please do not call us to promote your band.  We book by seeing bands in person or by high praise from a trusted source. If you are a band interested in performing at our festival, please send us:

* One of your CDs, or a demo CD of your music
* A band biography identifying the band members and listing of the key gigs (schedule) your band will be playing in the current year so I can try to see you in person. 
* A current band photo
* Your web page address, if you have one 
* Your price                                                                                                                                                                        * Contact name, phone number and email address

Send the info to:
Charlotte Parrack, promoter, Texas Bluegrass Celebration
c/o 300 Early Blvd. #31, Early, TX 76802