Old-time fiddler Francis Geels.  Photo by Erin Roth.

Francis Geels, Decatur, Indiana
Born in 1925 in Adams County, Indiana, Francis grew up with music in his home. On both sides of his family, old-time music and country square dancing were weekly events. He played for house and barn dances for many years until country square dancing began to wane. He and his wife have 17 children, 39 grandchildren and about 20 great-grandchildren. He plays on the same fiddle he bought from Montgomery Ward catalog before he was married; he’s had to replace 3 fingerboards over the years.

Family and friends and neighbors have been meeting every Friday night for the past 15 years at Francis Geels, Jr.’s home to play mostly bluegrass and some old-time fiddle tunes.

Francis Geels and his apprentices -- grandson Dan Krick, great grandson Anthony Burgan, and son Francis Geels, Jr., huddle before performing at the 2004 Indiana State Fair.  Photo by Ilze Akerbergs

Francis plays the fiddle in the old-time style, with the emphasis on rhythm, danceability, and cleanliness of the notes and not so much on creative licks or variations. A large fiddle tune repertoire is valued among old-time fiddle players. Twelve years ago, Francis recorded every tune he knew – over 160 tunes on 6 hours of tape.

Anthony Krich (great grandson) and Dan Burgan (grandson), apprentices
Dan Burgan, Francis Geels' grandson, has played the guitar for several years. When he broke his leg a couple of years ago, Francis gave him a fiddle to try to learn it. His cousin Anthony, Geels' great grandson, got interested in the fiddle the same summer and they started coming out to Geels' house once a week and to Junior’s Jam session every Friday. Dan has about 27 years experience with the tradition of playing bluegrass music. Both Dan and Anthony want to learn from their grandpa and great grandpa because they feel the need to keep traditional music alive.