The Flint Hills Fiddler: The Melodies of Kansas with Derrick Doty | Kansas Fiddler

4 hours ago

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Derrick Doty is a musician, historian, and music teacher based in Manhattan, Kansas, with a deep connection to the state’s musical traditions. Born and raised in Kansas, Derrick’s family has called the state home since at least the 1860s, and his great-grandfather was a fiddler who played for barn dances and house dances in Osage County. Inspired by those stories, Derrick took up the fiddle himself and eventually became known as the Flint Hills Fiddler. His musical interests extend beyond the fiddle to banjo, mandolin, guitar, piano, and other traditional instruments.

Derrick’s work as a musician is closely tied to his interest in Kansas history and the preservation of traditional music. He has been a speaker for Humanities Kansas, sharing stories about the role music played in Kansas history, including during the territorial period and the settlement of the state. He has researched the often-overlooked history of fiddling, banjo playing, and other musical traditions in Kansas, while also investigating historical stories and separating documented history from long-standing local legends. In 2023, Derrick was named the Kansas State Banjo Champion, performing in the classic banjo style.

For Derrick, preserving traditional music means more than simply keeping old songs alive. He teaches music to students in the Manhattan area and at the Flint Hills Academy of Music in Wamego, and performs with several ensembles, including the Tall Grass Express String Band, the old-time trio Bodark, and the turn-of-the-century-inspired mandolin club Grandpa Snazzy. His work explores the connection between music, community, history, and place, with a particular focus on the traditions that helped shape Kansas. Whether playing a fiddle at a dance, researching the state’s musical past, or teaching the next generation, Derrick is helping ensure these sounds and stories continue to have a place in Kansas communities.