‘JOE DAVOLI, your 2017 North American Fiddlers’ Hall of Fame Museum New York State Inductee!
Press release and a snippet from his induction speech below.
The North American Fiddler’s Hall of Fame Museum has announced its NY State Inductee for 2017. To be considered for this honor, candidates are known for promoting, preserving and perpetuating old time fiddling.
This year’s NY State Inductee is Joe Davoli, of Syracuse. Joe Davoli was only three years old when his parents overheard him humming the “Star Spangled Banner” in the backseat of their car on their way home from a Fourth of July concert. Thinking that he may have a knack for music, they started Joe with Suzuki violin lessons.
Joe is a graduate of DePaul University and attended the Berklee School of Music. He has won two SAMMY’s -Syracuse Area Music Awards. Joe has published a successful method book for fiddle and mandolin, currently in its second edition. His solo CD “Game Plan” has received International acclaim.
He is currently a full time member of Ceili Rain and is in demand as a studio musician and teacher. Joe is passionate about teaching and works with students of all ages and levels. Simply put, Joe plays the fiddle as an extension of himself. From the pace of a reel to the velvet stroke of a waltz, his style is captivating.
“I’d like to thank Darbie and our children, Nick, Olivia and Joe III for all the inspiration I’ll ever need, my Mom for opening all the musical doors throughout my childhood -and for calling the fire department to get me out of the massive willow tree in our backyard just because I didn’t want to go to my fiddle lesson…I thanked God for the gift of music and helping me understand at an early age that it’s music that makes me tick. I thanked my good friend Gene Petras -who with my Dad are up in “fiddler’s green” I’m sure enjoying the day as much as I was. Lastly I thanked my bandmates and all my students who help make me a better musician”
Harvey Nusbaum joined Joe that day and they played a handful of Joe’s favorite fiddle tunes to a wonderful crowd.