Mrs. Hensley recently was awarded the key to Leslie
An Arkansas legend, beloved Ozarks icon and Marion County resident is preparing to celebrate a remarkable milestone. Violet Hensley – known as the “Whittling Fiddler” and the “Stradivarius of the Ozarks” – will turn 109 years old on Oct. 21.
The living legend has one simple birthday wish this year: to receive 1,000 birthday cards from friends, fans, and admirers across the country.
Those wishing to send Mrs. Hensley a card can mail them to:
Mrs. Violet Hensley
P.O. Box 484
Yellville, AR 72687
Born near Mount Ida in 1916, Hensley began crafting fiddles at just 15 years old by studying her father’s handmade instruments. After raising nine children, she returned to fiddle-making in the 1960s, creating more than 60 instruments from native Arkansas woods.
Hensley and her family moved to Yellville in 1968, where her home workshop became a hub for her music and craftsmanship. During the 1980s, she appeared weekly on Yellville’s KCTT Radio, sharing her stories and music with listeners throughout the Twin Lakes area.
Many across the Ozarks also remember Hensley from her decades at Silver Dollar City in Branson, where she began performing and demonstrating her craft in 1967. Her charisma and talent made her a fan favorite and earned her the park’s Living Treasure Award in 1997, followed by induction into its Hall of Fame.
Hensley was later named the 2004 Arkansas Living Treasure by the Arkansas Arts Council, recognizing her lifelong dedication to preserving and teaching the art of fiddle-making. Her national recognition includes appearances on The Beverly Hillbillies, Captain Kangaroo, and Live with Regis and Kathy Lee, as well as induction into the National Fiddler Hall of Fame in 2018.
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