Former Commodore revisits T.C. Cherry Elementary as 2024 Fiddler of the Year

Bowling Green, KY.- Students at T.C. Cherry Elementary enjoyed the sound of bluegrass music Monday afternoon from a special guest and former Commodore.

Mary Rachel Nalley-Norris began her love for string instruments in the 4th grade at T.C. Cherry, and today she and her band, The Kody Norris Show, came back to the school to perform songs, sing with students, and have a meet and greet with the string program that she was once a part of.

Mary Rachel Nalley-Norris says, “This is a full circle moment for me to be able to come back here, for them to see that you can make a career in this. If I can be just a little bit of positive in their life, they can look up to me. One little girl said “You’re my new favorite person,” so that was worth it to come over and play for them and I hope to be able to come back in the future.”

Mary Rachel has been named the 2024  National Award winner in the Society for Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America, as fiddler of the year.