The Grand Master Fiddler Championship Inc. is organized as a Tennessee nonprofit corporation, formed to educate about and perpetuate fiddling as an art form and cultural treasure. The corporation has plans to restart and organize, hold and support the annual Grand Master Fiddler Championship competition - an event that has started many young country, folk and bluegrass musicians on their way to a career in music.

The contest was held in Opryland from 1972 through 1997. During that quarter century the preliminaries were held in the historic Ryman Auditorium and the finals and championship rounds were held in Opryland USA through 1997, after which the Championship fell casualty to Gaylord Entertainment budget reductions and the closing and dismantling of Opryland USA theme park.

The Grand Master Fiddler Championship is a showcase for some of the best fiddle players in the world. Each year, the Contest Committee invites twenty of the top Fiddle Players in North America to compete as a Finalist in the contest. In addition,a Preliminary round is also held, open to any and all fiddle players regardless of age or nationality. Approximately five fiddle players are selected from this round to join the Finalist Round (these numbers are approximate and can vary). Ten players are then chosen to compete in the Championship round. Making the Championship round can influence a player's selection as an invited finalist for the next year. Contestants from as far away as Japan and Australia have competed as finalists.

There are five judges all of whom are Champion Fiddlers. They are hidden from view and are not told who is playing nor are they allowed to confer with each other about scoring. New to the contest is a Guitar Accompanist competition. This is planned to showcase the accompanists as well as give them a chance at winning prizes. There will be entertainment between the rounds by Grand Ole Opry stars and musicians.

There is no pre-registration for the Preliminary round. Registration is open from 9:00 am until 10:00 am the morning of the Preliminary contest. Registration closes promptly at 10:00 am. No registrations will be accepted after this time. Any exceptions or appeals must be made to the Contest Committee and decision will be made based on the number of registered contestants and the time needed for the round. The Finals round starts on the next day at 10:00 am.

On March 5, 2004, the Grand Master Fiddler Championship Inc. company was formed as a Tennessee nonprofit corporation by Howard Harris and Ed Carnes with advice and support from Charlie Bush. It was granted IRS 501(c)(3) status as a charitable organization on July 28, 2004. The corporation was originally formed as a vehicle to re-start the prestigious competition that ran from 1972 through 1997. As organizing activities progress, work is being done to further expand to add support for education about fiddling and to allow donations of money and support to other charitable groups such as the Grand Ole Opry Trust Fund (which helps country musicians in need) and The Bluegrass Trust Fund (which helps bluegrass musicians in need). The Articles of Incorporation stipulate that any proceeds remaining upon corporate dissolution will be donated to other charities.

Past participants in the Grand Master Fiddler Championships include many well known names in country and bluegrass music. Names like Mark O'Connor, Sam Bush, Jeff Guernsey, Steve Gillian, Aubrey Haynie, Luke Bulla, April Verch and many more have been recognized by the championship.

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