Contests

Individual and Band Information


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Registration:

Registration:

  • Pre-registration opens online June 1st.  
  • Registration is free, but competitors must purchase tickets to enter the festival.
  • Pre-registrations must be received by the Thursday before the festival begins.
  • Pre-registered competitors must physically check in at the registration desk.
  • When registering in person, competitors complete a registration form for each category that they are competing in.
  • Minimum age for individual competitions is six years old. Any child under six years old and wants to perform, should contact the JAM Stage Manager.
  • Registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis in the limited number of slots, until the category is filled or until the designated cut-off time (15 minutes before event)
  • Musicians may register for two individual events and a band event. Registering for additional individual events depends on availability.
  • Once an event is full, a waiting list will be started.
  • Competitors must register a minimum of 15 minutes before scheduled performance time.
  • Number of slots for each category is limited based on history, interests, and available time.
  • Festival management reserves the right to add numbers based on overall time schedule.
  • Open instrumental category is for “individuals” who want to compete with an instrument that is not represented in the other competitions, e.g. harmonica, Appalachian and hammered dulcimer, autoharp, dobro, bass, and rhythm instruments, etc. The competitor may have one accompanist.
  • Folk Song category is open to singers who perform an authentic folk song that reflects the traditions of folk music or is an original composition.
  • Competitors who place first in a particular category 3 consecutive years will no longer be eligible to compete in that category, but will be featured as Master Musicians.
  • Completing the registration process assumes the registrant is familiar with and agrees to abide by the competition rules.

Competition Information:

Individual competitors and all band members are expected to be familiar with the festival rules.  Refer to Music Competition Rules)

  • Competitors must check-in backstage 15 minutes before scheduled category or forfeit their right to compete. Order of play in each category will be randomly determined once competitors check in.
  • Individual contestants will play either one or two tunes during preliminaries, depending on the number of contestants.
  • Bands will play two tunes and are allowed to re-tune between songs.
  • Mountain Flatfoot Dance competitions will be approximately 30-45 seconds with a live band providing music.
  •  

Preliminary Contests

Preliminary competitions determine the top 3 finalists for individual & top 3 finalists for band competitions, who will play-off in the evening finals.  Top finalists will be posted on the main tent after completion of each preliminary competition.

Finalist Contests: 

The same band members who competed in the preliminaries must perform in the finals. If an individual or band cannot perform in the evening finals, they need to inform someone at the registration table and they will automatically receive last place.  Order of performance in the finals is based on the order listed on the finals sheet. Individuals or bands need to be backstage 15 minutes before performing or receive last place. Finals begin at 6:30. This competition moves quickly.  Be prepared.

Individual Competition:

1st Place – $150,  2nd Place – $75, 3rd Place – $50

Band Competition:

1st Place – $750,  2nd Place – $550,  3rd Place – $450

Note: Prize money will be presented by checks made out to the individual or leader of the band

Competition Rules

  1. Only acoustic instruments are allowed.
  2. Individual contestants are limited to two individual categories (except for flatfoot dance) and a band event. Registering for more than two events depends on availability.
  3. Individual category contestants will be allowed one accompanist of a different instrument.  Accompanists may play with more than one individual contestant.
  4. Bands must consist of at least 3 members with no more than 7 members.  Bands must play heritage tunes characteristic of the southern string band tradition and style. 
  5. Folk singers will be judged based on feeling, intonation, voice, and appropriateness of the song. Singers will sing one song for no more than three minutes. One rhythm accompanying instrument is allowed, played either by the singer or a supporter.
  6. Judges will determine if a non-traditional instrument qualifies for its category.
  7. Individual contestants will play either one or two tunes during the day preliminaries (depending on the number of entries). Bands will play two tunes in preliminary competition. Competitors may re-tune between songs if two songs are requested. No medleys allowed.
  8. All songs must be limited to 3 minutes. Judges will penalize for going over allotted   time.
  9. No medleys are allowed.
  10. Announcements or comments by contestants will not be allowed on stage before or after their performance. Emcee will announce the name of the contestant or band. Contestants will announce the name of the song before each song.
  11. The same band members who competed in the preliminaries must perform in the finals.
  12. Finalists who cannot perform in the evening competition or who do not appear at the designated time will automatically receive 3rd place.
  13. Competitors who place first in a particular category 3 years in a row will no longer be eligible to compete in those categories.  These winners will be recognized as Master Musicians and although they are ineligible to compete in those particular categories, they may be asked to perform as a highlight at the next festival.

Judging

  • In order to encourage and perpetuate traditional music, judging will be based on the following:
    1. Execution – timing, clarity, tuning, tone quality, smoothness of starting and stopping, and level of ability.
    2. Authenticity and Presentation – style, balance, sense of melody, arrangement, and overall expression/soul.
  • Scoring will not be based on age, gender, race, appearance, place of residence, or any other non-musical factor.
  • All judging is final and cannot be contested.  Judging sheets will not be available.
  • Accidents or disturbances beyond the control of the contestant (such as a broken string/noise) may result in a replay, if the judges so merit.
  • Sound system adjustments will be made and remain at the same setting throughout each round of eliminations, with the exception of feedback adjustments by sound technician.
  • Deviations from the rules *may* result in disqualification.

Flatfoot Dance Rules and Judging Issues

There are separate judges for Flatfoot dance. Mountain Flatfoot Dance competitions will be approximately 30-45 seconds with a live band providing music. Dance judges favor traditional performance over technical performance. Mountain flatfoot dance will be judged on difficulty and variety of steps, natural and comfortable dance presentation, timing, and presentation of smooth old time style. This event should consist of authentic old-time dancing.  For example, use of the arms and upper body should be used in a way to support the natural flat-footing rhythm and motions of the feet. Extravagant gestures such as high kicks and rhythms and styles of dance reflecting Clogging, Irish, Break Dancing, Sean-Nos, etc. are subject to penalty (but not disqualification).

  • Shoes must be worn.
  • No taps are allowed.
  • Accidents or disturbances beyond the control of the contestant may result in a replay if the judges so merit.
  • Dance competitions will be approximately 30-45 seconds with a live band providing the pre-selected music to be used by all dancers.
  • All judging is final and cannot be contested.
  • Scoring will not be based on age, gender, race, appearance, place of residence, or any other non-musical/dance factor.
Category Maximum Competitors
Open Instrumental
10
Folk Singing
15
Guitar
10
Fiddle
20
Banjo
16
Dance
10
Bands
10

2023 Winners

Folk Singing

  1. Sarah Ogletree
  2. Lake Carver 
  3. David Russell

 

Open Instrumental

  1. Cecil Gurganus
  2. Steve Bing
  3. Briar McDowell

 

Banjo

  1. Travis Watts
  2. Christopher Ward
  3. Adam Beshears

Dance

  1. Candace Noah
  2. Art Lang
  3. Avery Clapp

 

Fiddle

  1. Christen Blanton
  2. Carrie Webster
  3. Charlie Tolbert
 

Guitar

  1. Tae Childress
  2. Graham Ferrell
  3. Elijah Smith
 

Band

  1. Loyle Dawson & Slick Quivers
  2. Mountain Blessings
  3. The Zinc Kings

2022 Winners

Folk Singing

  1. Cathy Fink
  2. Lily Harwell
  3. Cary Moskovitz

 

Open Instrumental

  1. Marcy Marxer
  2. Roberta Kogut
  3. Bobby Fields
 

Mandolin

  1. William Roberts
  2. Tae Childress
  3. N/A
 

Banjo

  1. Cathy Fink
  2. Travis Watts
  3. Frankie Key

Dance

  1. Phil Jamison
  2. Candace Noah
  3. Stomper White

 

Fiddle

  1. Christen Blanton
  2. Charlie Tolbert
  3. Howard Naughton
 

Guitar

  1. Tae Childress
  2. Andy Trivette
  3. Lloyd Richardson
 

Twin Fiddle

  1. Cecil Gurganus / Norah Cool
  2. Greyson Leybourne / Christen Blanton
  3. Steve Bing / Donna Bing
 

Band

  1. The Wilkes Record Players
  2. The Big Deal Band
  3. Gold Tones
  4. Glory in the Meetinghouse
  5. Rambling Fever Bluegrass
  6. Overmountain Pickers

2019 Winners

Folk Singing

  1. Christon Blanton
  2. Kathleen Burnett
  3. Anneli Burnett
 

Open Instrumental

  1. Mel Jones
  2. Art Lang
  3. Jade Alexander
 

Mandolin

  1. Brandon Johnson
  2. Alex Edwards
  3. William Roberts
 

Banjo

  1. Alex Edwards (Master Banjo) 2017, 18 & 19 Winner
  2. Jeremy Glasgow
  3. Dawson Clark

Dance

  1. Anneli Burnett
  2. Art Lang
  3. Donnie Cline
 

Fiddle

  1. Anissa Burnett
  2. Christen Blanton
  3. John Hofmann
 

Guitar

  1. Tommy Chandler
  2. Tom Horton
  3. Vincent Bullins
 

Twin Fiddle

  1. Marissa Colter / John Hofmann
  2. Bob Kogut / Athira Krishna
  3. Steve Bing/ Donna Bing
 

Band

  1. Blue Harvest 
  2. The Fork Lickers
  3. Zinc Kings
  4. Brushy Mtn. Buddies
  5. Blackberry Jam
  6. Disqualified Old Geezers

2018 Winners

Folk Singing

  1. Lily Harwell
  2. David Russell
  3. Christine Blanton
 

Open Instrumental

  1. Christine Olsen
  2. Graham Ferrell
  3. Art Lang
 

Mandolin

  1. Jonah Horton (Master Mandolin) 2016, 17 & 18 Winner
  2. David Wiseman
  3. Caleb Coatney
 

Old Time Banjo

  1. Henry Coatney (2017 and 2018 Winner)
  2. Caleb Coatney
  3. Ashlee Watkins

Flatfoot Dance

  1. Aaron Ratcliffe
  2. Anneli Burnett
  3. Art Lang
 

Old Time Fiddle

  1. Christen Blanton
  2. Willow Dillon
  3. John Hofmann
 

Guitar

  1. Randy Blevins
  2. Graham Ferrell
  3. David Russell
 

Bluegrass Fiddle

  1. Cody Bauer
  2. John Hofmann
  3. Jacob Turnbill

Bluegrass Banjo

  1. Alex Edwards
  2. Judo Aaron Allison
  3. Carter Wilson
 

Twin Fiddle

  1. Andres Small / Bob Herring
  2. Ella Thomas / Kristen Harris
  3. Emily Wait / Ben Riesser
 

Old Time Bands

  1. Tater Hill Mashers (2017 and 2018)
  2. Brushy Mtn. Buddies
  3. Zinc Kings
  4. New Macedon Rangers
 

Bluegrass Bands

  1. The Jakes from State Farm
  2. Turkey Creek
  3. Blue Harvest
  4. Thomas Family Band
  5. Piedmont Mt. Grass

2017 Winners

Open

  1. Kathleen Burnett
  2. Christen Blanton
  3. Mary Holloway

Autoharp

  1. Michael Poole
  2. Doug Pratt
  3. Christine Olsen

Mandolin

  1. Jonah Horton
  2. William Roberts
  3. Zeb Gambill

Old Time Banjo

  1. Henry Coatney
  2. Caleb Coatney
  3. David Burns

Flatfoot Dance

  1. Dane Summers
  2. Forest Doyle
  3. Aaron Ratcliffe
 

Old Time Fiddle

  1. John Hoffman
  2. Anneli Burnett
  3. Christen Blanton

Guitar

  1. Vincent Bullins
  2. Austin Simonds
  3. Alex Edwards

Bluegrass Fiddle

  1. Ruth Shumway
  2. Emma John
  3. Marissa Colter
 

Bluegrass Banjo

  1. Alex Edwards
  2. Carter Wilson
  3. Jacob Carroll
 

Twin Fiddle

  1. Emma Johns/John Hofmann
  2. Anissa & Kathleen Burnett
  3. Andrew Small/Ashlee Watkins
 

Old Time Bands

  1. Tater Hill Mashers
  2. Suger Top Swains
  3. Zinc Kings
  4. High Ridge Pickers
  5. Bears in the Attic
 

Bluegrass Bands

  1. Blue Harvest
  2. Round Up
  3. Gaining Ground
  4. Carolina Crossroads
  5. Double Duty

2016 Winners

Open

  1. Danny Wicker
  2. Kathleen Burnett
  3. Emma Harwell
 

Autoharp

  1. Christine Olsen
  2. Art Lang
  3. Michael Poole
 

Mandolin

  1. Jonah Horton
  2. Caleb Coatney
  3. William Roberts
 

Old Time Banjo

  1. Caleb Coatney
  2. Henry Coatney
  3. Jared Boyd

Flatfoot Dance

  1. Dane Summers
  2. Cade Vissge
  3. Anneli Burnett
 

Old Time Fiddle

  1. Jacob Bowen
  2. Willow Dillon
  3. Cecil Gurganus
 

Guitar

  1. Presley Barker
  2. Danny Wicker
  3. Daniel Thrailkill
 

Bluegrass Fiddle

  1. Ruth Shumway
  2. Jacob Bowen
  3. Jacob Turnbill

Bluegrass Banjo

  1. Sawyer Whitman
  2. Alex Edwards
  3. David Bruce
 

Twin Fiddle

  1. Kathleen & Anissa Burnett
  2. Willow Dillon & Cecil Gurganus
  3. Tori Jones & Madison Elmore
 

Old Time Bands

  1. Strictly Strings
  2. Zephr Lighting Bolts
  3. Five Points Rounders
  4. Tater Hill Mashers
  5. High Ridge Pickers
 

Bluegrass Bands

  1. Trail Blazers
  2. Double Duty
  3. Forty West
  4. Appalachian Tradition
  5. Blue Moon Bluegrass

2015 Winners

Open

  1. Beth Smith
  2. Rick Ramseur
  3. Chrisin Blanton
 

Autoharp

  1. Doug Pratt
  2. Michael Poole
  3. Art Lang
 

Mandolin

  1. Eric McMurray
  2. Zack Arnold
  3. Caleb Coatney
 

Old Time Banjo

  1. Ben Reisser
  2. John Herrmann
  3. Willow Dillon

Flatfoot Dance

  1. Phoebe Douthwaite
  2. Linda Block
  3. Forest Doyle
 

Old Time Fiddle

  1. David Bass
  2. Kathleen Burnett
  3. Ruth Shumway
 

Guitar

  1. Presley Barker
  2. Tyler Thompson
  3. Zack Arnold
 

Bluegrass Fiddle

  1. Kitty Amaral
  2. Ruth Shumway
  3. Laura Smith

Bluegrass Banjo

  1. Keaton McMillan
  2. Trey Wellington
  3. Carter Wilson
 

Twin Fiddle

  1. Cecil Gurganus & Willow Dillon
  2. Ruth Shumway & John Hoffman
  3. Anessa Burnett & Kathleen Burnett
 

Old Time Bands

  1. Down South Ramblers
  2. Strictly Strings
  3. High Ridge Pickers
  4. Five Points Rounders
  5. Ready Creek Tick Pickers
 

Bluegrass Bands

  1. Turkey Creek
  2. Clay Bank
  3. Shadow Crass
  4. Paddle Creek
  5. Gaining Ground

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Junior Appalachian Musicians Showcase

10:30am — 3:00pm

2019 Winners