Bill Peterson

Midwestern fiddling

Bill Peterson of Canton has been studying and playing traditional fiddle music for over 30 years, exploring Scandinavian, Celtic and other styles. Then a few years ago he had an apprenticeship with Dwight Lamb of Onawa, Iowa, who is one of the last players of the old-time Missouri Valley fiddle style, and Bill became fascinated with learning all he could about this regional tradition. He still visits with Dwight monthly, arranges performing and teaching gigs for him, and is now teaching South Dakota fiddlers this unique musical style in an effort to preserve a distinctive local tradition. He worked with Beth Preheim of Marion, a violinist turned fiddle player who is active in the Sioux Falls area fiddle club under the auspices of South Dakota Friends of Traditional Music. Beth has also started teaching fiddle, and is thrilled to have some local tunes to include and pass on to her students.