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David Varnado

Born: June 6th, 1969                                   Port Arthur, TX

Fiddler David Varnado of Port Arthur has played for some of country music's biggest stars, including Loretta Lynn, Ty England, Johnny Paycheck, Sammy Kershaw, Jo-El Sonnier, George Jones, and Neil McCoy. Varnado received the 2017 American Fiddler Association's Legend Award, and was awarded the Johnny Gimble Award in 2018 by CMA of Texas. He was voted Fiddler of the year in 2017, 2018, and 2019 by the Texas Country Music Association. In 2020 David was placed on the Star Music Walk of Fame in front of City Hall in Vidor, Texas.
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Varnado's father began teaching him how to play at the age of five. At the age of ten he began playing in a local Cajun band. His father also brought him to meet the famous Cajun fiddle player Rufus Thibodeaux who mentored him. At eighteen, he started playing with George Dearborne and Branded.  
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One of his favorite experiences was playing for Chris Ledoux, which he described as "A rockin' rodeo show. A lot of pyrotechnics and very different from the traditional country music I'd been playing, and I loved it." He also thought that Loretta Lynn "treated her band like royalty," which made working for her a pleasure.
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Varnado continues to play and record.

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HOURS OF OPERATION
Monday to Saturday

9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Closed Sundays and Holidays

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ADMISSION
Adults - $8
Senior Citizens (62+) - $6
Children 4-18 - $3, under 4 free

College Students w/valid ID - $4

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GROUP TOURS (10 or more)

Adults - $4  

Children ages 4 - 18 - $3
School Tours (Grades 3-12 and college groups) - free

Have a question?

Call 409-982-7000 or Email museumofthegulfcoast@gmail.com

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All Rights Reserved

The Museum of the Gulf Coast is administered by the Port Arthur Historical Society in partnership with the City of Port Arthur.  

Port Arthur Historical Society Address:
P.O. Box 1374 | Port Arthur, TX 77641

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