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Friday fun with fiddler Justin Branum

Justin Branum (pictured), plays in Studio A with guitarist Gary Hunt and Cityscape Host, Steve Potter. (photo by Libby Franklin)
Justin Branum (pictured), plays in Studio A with guitarist Gary Hunt and Cityscape Host, Steve Potter. (photo by Libby Franklin)

Lovers of St. Louis Public Radio and classical music may have learned something new on Cityscape today from St. Louis fiddler Justin Branumand guitarist Gary Hunt: the difference between a violin and a fiddle?  "You don't spill beer on a violin," they explained.

Justin Branum is the 2010 Grandmaster Fiddle Champion, a title bestowed on him last fall in Nashville, TN.  Branum has been competing in contests around the country for more than 15 years, and at the ripe old age of 27, is calling it quits. Though he will continue to teach and preform around the area, he says he is content to leave the competition world "on a good note."

Branum and Hunt play together in Swing DeVilleandColonel Ford, among other local groups. They stopped by this week to share a few tunes.  Enjoy!