Blaine Stubblefield (January 26, 1896 – December 18, 1960) was the founder of the National Oldtime Fiddlers' Contest held annually in Weiser, Idaho, an archiver of American folk songs, the originator of regular passenger boat tours down the Hells Canyon of the Snake River, a writer, and a magazine editor. Blaine was born in Enterprise, Oregon. and was the eldest of ten children born to Mickle and Edith Stubblefield. Blaine's father Mickle was the eldest of seven children born to William Kirkham Stubblefield and his fifth wife Josephine Loomis Stubblefield. Mickle's wife, the former Edith Belle Davis, had come to Wallowa County, Oregon with her family from Iowa. Mickle Stubblefield was a passionate historian who shared his family history with his children and expanded his use of the written word through an avid letter-writing campaign to explain the true burial site of Chief Joseph. Blaine attended and graduated from the University of Idaho, and obtained an advanced degree in Journalism from the University of Washington. In the later part of his life, Blaine lived in Weiser; documents on folk music often refer to him as "Blaine Stubblefield of Weiser, Idaho". Army aviator during World War I During World War I, Blaine joined the United States Army Air Service (forerunner of the United States Air Force) in 1917 and was a Flying Cadet at Kelly Field, San Antonio, Texas. Graduates of the Army flight school at Kelly Field include Charles Lindbergh and Curtis E. LeMay. Major General Claire Chennault of World War II "Flying Tiger" fame taught at the school. Completing Flying School, Blaine was commissioned as a Lieutenant, was recommended for pursuit pilot (single hand combat), and was sent to Brooks Field (also in San Antonio) to take the flying instructors' course. He then served as a flying instructor at Brooks Field for the remainder of his military service. Three letters written by Blaine during this period were printed by the Enterprise Record Chieftain newspaper (Enterprise, Oregon). Middle years Blaine attended the University of Idaho in the 1924-1925 and 1925-1926 academic years, and he graduated. In 1924-1925 he was Junior Class President for First Semester. That same year, he was also a member of the news staff of The University Argonaut (the official newspaper of the University of Idaho), a member of The Press Club, a member of Phi Gamma Delta, an associate editor of The Blue Bucket (the official