Fiddlesticks sets Sisters' toes tapping with old-time music

The Fiddlesticks are a family affair, combining the talents of the Kalebaugh and Simpson families of Sisters. photo by Kathyrn Godsiff When Tobin Kalebaugh, 12, began fiddle lessons in January of 2000 and his sisters Becky, 16, and Rachel, 15, began plunking away at piano lessons, little did they dream that a short couple of years later they would be part of a fiddle band playing old-time fiddle, gospel and Celtic-influenced music.

The Kalebaugh siblings, along with little brother Tyler, six, and parents Travis and Heidi combined musical talents and a great sense of fun with a neighboring family, the Simpsons, and formed The Fiddlesticks.

The Simpson family consists of parents Kathy and Steve, and Kristi, 14, Kari, 12, and Garrett, nine. Becky, Rachel, Kari, Kristi, Garrett, and Tyler play fiddles. Becky, Kristi, and Kari play keyboard. Kathy, Heidi, and Rachel strum guitars. Tobin plays the mandolin, Travis, the bass fiddle and Steve gets his notes out of a washtub bass.

The group has played at the hospital in Redmond, at area nursing homes, Christmas parties, polka dances, church gatherings, and at local Sisters events including the Sisters Act and the Christmas and rodeo parades.

The families all live and work on the Simpson ranch at Lower Bridge, where they raise elk and hay. The children are homeschooled, leaving time in the day for spontaneous practice and jam sessions.

"Nobody forces these kids to practice," said Kathy Simpson.

"If the fiddle is out (of its case), I'll play," added Becky Kalebaugh.

The Kalebaughs were taking regular lessons in 2000, the girls learning piano from Chris Booher while Tobin took fiddle lessons from Brendan Booher. Lessons took place at that time at the Boohers' Diamond B Chuckwagon in Tumalo.

While the children had their lessons, Heidi would bring her guitar along and Chris would show her the chords he was teaching the kids.

Later that year, the girls began fiddle lessons with Brendan. Then, when the Simpsons would visit, they would pull out the fiddles and the keyboard and play around. Soon the Simpson girls were taking piano lessons from Booher and learning how to play by ear.

The Kalebaughs eventually all focused on fiddles when Chris Booher moved out of the area.

Attending their first Booher Music Camp in Sisters in the summer of 2001 was a turning point for the family. They were well and truly hooked on the music.

In December of 2001, the Kalebaughs moved to Lower Bridge and the Simpson girls started playing fiddles.

"It amazed me how we moved out here, the kids all started playing together and got good and we (the parents) could join in, and we play music that people like," said Heidi, about the evolution of The Fiddlesticks.

Their first "public" performance was at a polka party hosted by the Simpsons grandparents in 2002. The kids played music the older folks heartily enjoyed and could dance to.

The repertoire was fairly small and oft repeated, but nobody seemed to mind. Since then, the band has played at a few more polka parties, learned many more songs and brushed up on its stage presence.

One of the influences for the Simpson family was that of Kathy's grandfather. Grandpa Tobiasson came to the U.S. from Iceland, bringing a fiddle with him.

He played at old-time fiddlers gatherings, and gave Kathy her first fiddle when she was a child.

A photo of the old man playing his instrument sits on the mantel, where his eyes seem to twinkle with pride at the accomplishments of his brood.

Brendan Booher has been an encouraging factor in The Fiddlesticks' development. "There seems to be a continuing desire in their musical experience, a desire to stick with it.

"They will have a good experience with music that's larger than a solo experience. And as siblings, they are learning how to get along...," he said.

The Fiddlesticks are currently preparing to record a CD.

To contact the Fiddlesticks, call the Kalebaughs at 504-9397 or the Simpsons at 548-5800.