90-Year-Old Fiddler Won't Change Tempo

Fiddle Maker Violet Hensley Has No Intention Of Slowing Down

(CBS)  Deep in the Ozarks, you'll find a rare 90-year-old Violet. Actually, as CBS News correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi reports, you'll hear Violet Hensley before you see her.

If her hands seem to resemble the fiddle she plays, it's because one made the other.

Violet makes fiddles by hand — bending, carving and testing them out in her kitchen, just as she's done for years. The last CBS reporter she entertained was a guy named Charles Kuralt some 30 years ago.

Since then, she hasn't quit or even slowed down. She says she thinks she's made 73 fiddles.

"I could have made a lot more than them that if I'd have left of this kind and gardening and canning, and cutting the neighbor's hair, sewing for the men and women," Violet explains.

Doctors ordered Violet to stop breaking horses and riding bareback. So she took up clogging. She performs five days a week.

In her free time, she says she "talks." But her mouth is sharper than her eyes.

Her hands guide her work now, and her heart. She sells the fiddles for about $2,000 — a fraction of what they're worth.

"People keep telling me I ought to get more for them. I said, 'Well, the rest of the pleasure comes out of knowing I made it,'" Violet explains.

She refuses to slow down. "No, you don't slow down till you have to," she says.

For some of us, a change in tempo is completely out of the question.

[merrimans1]

Hello, if you are interested in purchasing one of my grandmother's fiddles, please contact me at [e-mail] and I'll pass along your info. to her. Please make sure to write "Violet Hensley" in the subject line to ensure that I do not accidently delete your e-mail. I believe Grandma Hensley also has tapes and cds of her recordings for sale too if you are interested.

~Victoria Merriman

[mfent13]

we would like to order a violin from Mrs. Hensley how can we contact her?

[kp74]

Wonderful story, What a lovley TALENTED woman!
I agree with rebnciv. This style of music (any style of traditional & cultural)music is a dying art. It is sad indeed.

[isthatso-2009]

Ah...

Just when my faith in mankind and the news is growing ever weaker, along comes this story.

Thank you CBS! I could use about 10,000 more positive stories like this. Can you hear me CBS? I'm sick of the negative news.

This story made me feel good about life and people. What a spectacular American woman. She's a true National Treasure.

I can only hope to be as vibrant at 90!

[rebnciv]

Can anyone provide information on how to purchase Ms. Hensley's fiddles? I saw the TV story and they sound wonderful. I'd love to have one.

The style of music, and instrument, is a dying art. She's a treasure.

Any info would be appreciated. Thank you.