What better way to celebrate the 100th anniversary of North Carolina’s own Union Grove Fiddlers Convention than with a good ol’ fashioned contest? Thanks to all the pickers who took the Union Grove Fiddlers Stage during IBMA Bluegrass Live powered by PNC last weekend to show of their skills and impress the crowd — and our judges!
Each contestant had five minutes to play two instrumental tunes, one fast, one slow, with one accompanist if desired. The judges evaluated each contestant based on quality of music played, presentation, timing, representation of the tradition, and judge’s preference. Big thanks to our contest judges: Julie Amani, Sonya Badigian, Jason Beverly Russell Johnson, Justin Robinson, and Sam Stage!
We’re grateful to our sponsors for the stage and the contest, the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
Here are the winners:
GRAND PRIZE
Earl White
OLD TIME FIDDLE
16-64
1. Ruth Shumway
2. Eliza Meyer
3. Mark Thatcher
65+
1. Earl White
2. Fiddlin’ Joe Osborn
3. Lennie Green
BLUEGRASS FIDDLE
15 and under
1. Hollace Oakes
2. (tie) Claire Dawson and Alexander Ferranti
3. Benji Ferranti
16-64
1. Ruth Shumway
2. Fran Harvell
65+
1. Vickie Posey
OLD TIME BANJO
15 and under
1. Isaak Schwartz
16-64
1. Mike Edwards
BLUEGRASS BANJO
15 and under
1. Isaak Schwartz
2. Peter Trakimowicz
16-64
1. Alanabeth Duncan
MANDOLIN
1. Jorja Cornwell
2. Alyssa McMurray
GUITAR
15 and under
1. Tucker Conner
16-64
1. Kerry Moscovitch
2. David Smith
3. Mark Thatcher
