Chick started working fiddle contests, square dances and random radio shows in the early part of his career.

By 5, he had discovered bluegrass as well, accompanying his father and playing fiddle contests throughout the eastern United States.

Thomasson entered his first fiddle contest in the late 1920s, at age 19, and was disappointed when he did not place among the top contestants.

The fiddle contest features both local and nationally-known players and awards cash prizes.

In 1923, Thompson drove all the way to Dallas, where he again captured first prize in the city's eight-day fiddle contest.

As her father states: "When she was 14, I started taking her to the fiddle contests and she won just about every one."

The sisters learned traditional Texas-style fiddling and began entering fiddle contests.

In real-life fiddle contests, the devil doesn't compete and no one wagers his soul, as "Johnny" does in the song.

Over the years, it has grown to a gathering in even years, also, with fiddle contests, jam sessions, and dances in the school building.

Understandably so, since he was winning fiddle contests and had mapped out a sketchy career path.