Violet Hensley obit

Violet Hensley, the ‘Whittlin’ Fiddler’ and Silver Dollar City legend, dies at 109

 

She was not on the list.

BRANSON, Mo. (KY3) -Violet Hensley, a Silver Dollar City legend known as the ‘Whittlin’ Fiddler,’ has died. She was 109.

Hensley was known for crafting fiddles at Silver Dollar City for more than 50 years.

KY3 sat down with Hensley in 2018, when she was 101, to reflect on her life, career, and the impact she left on the Ozarks for decades.

Born October 21, 1916, during World War I, Hensley grew up in the Ouachita National Forest in Arkansas.

Violet was young when her mom passed away, but her father taught her how to carve and play the fiddle. After getting married, though, she put down her fiddle for 27 years as she raised nine children.

It wasn’t until 1967, when she was in her 50s, that Violet’s fiddlin’ and whittlin’ skills turned her into a celebrity. She went to work for Silver Dollar City and toured all over the country.

She appeared on ‘The Beverly Hillbillies’ when they came to Silver Dollar City to film their TV show and became friends with the cast. Violet built a special friendship with Irene Ryan, who played Granny.

From there, the appearances grew. She was on Art Linkletter’s show, hung out with Mr. Green Jeans on ‘Captain Kangaroo,’ was on ‘To Tell the Truth’ when Alex Trebek was hosting, and tried to teach Regis Philbin how to play fiddle on Live with Regis and Kathy Lee when they came to Branson.

She’s been featured at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., and by Charles Kuralt on his ‘On the Road’ series. Hensley is also in the National Fiddlers’ Hall of Fame and appeared on the Grand Ole Opry.

Silver Dollar City released a statement remembering Hensley:

“Today, we celebrate the beautiful life of our dear friend, Violet Hensley, who passed away at the remarkable age of 109.

For decades, Violet touched hearts of Silver Dollar City guests and citizens through the sounds of her fiddle, the warmth of her smile and her stories.   She wasn’t simply one of America’s most respected fiddle makers and musicians, she was the heart of an Ozarks tradition that connected generations to this special place.   

To know Violet was to experience genuine kindness, quiet humility and an unwavering love for others and her deep, deep love for her family. Not only was she an Arkansas treasure, through her wit and talent, she won hearts on  her national television appearances like the Grand Ole Opry. Most importantly to Silver Dollar City citizens and guests, she will always be a part of our family."

Silver Dollar City

Violet Hensley was born in Mount Ida, Arkansas, to George Washington and Nora Brumley. George was also a musician. She had two sisters. In 1935, she married Adren Hensley and had nine or ten children with him in total, after which she ceased to make fiddles for several decades. The couple moved to Yellville, Arkansas, in 1968, where she lived ever afterwards. Adren died in 1997.

Hensley's expertise on fiddles gave her national attention in the form of being featured in the magazine National Geographic in 1970. She was also invited to television shows such as The Beverly Hillbillies, The Art Linkletter Show, Captain Kangaroo, The Bob Braun Show, Live with Regis and Kathie Lee, and CBS Evening News.

In 1974, Hensley (along with her family) released the first of three albums called Old Time Fiddle Tunes. Nine and forty years later, respectively, she released two more albums.

In 2014, Hensley published her autobiography Whittlin' and Fiddlin' My Own Way: The Violet Hensley Story. It was co-authored by the American actor and musician Randall Franks.