Kirkwood, Missouri, fiddler Vesta Johnson is a 2013 recipient of the Missouri Arts Council’s Missouri Arts Award. The award, presented on February 6 at the Capitol Rotunda in Jefferson City, honors “individuals and organizations that have made profound and lasting contributions to the cultural and artistic climate of the state.”
“Singing As We Rise,” written by Joe Newberry and recorded by the Gibson Brothers with Ricky Skaggs, received the award for Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year at the 2012 International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Awards Show, held September 27 in Nashville. Sharing the award were producers Eric Gibson, Mike Barber, Leigh Gibson, and Compass Records.
The Association for Recorded Sound Collections presented Richard Weize with the 2012 Award for Distinguished Service to Historical Recordings. Weize is the founder and CEO of Bear Family Records.
At the Tazewell County (Virginia) Old-Time and Bluegrass Fiddlers Convention, held July 13 – 14, the following received awards in the competitions. Old-Time Fiddle: James Leva, Jesse Wells, Anna Roberts-Gevalt, Jerry Correll, Veronica Randolph. Old-Time Banjo: Ron Mullennex, David Winston, Hanna Johnson, Anna Roberts-Gevalt, Tom DeCesar. Fiddle and Banjo Duet: Steve Chrisley and Marlon Dean, James Leva and David Winston, Jesse Wells and Daniel Frederick, Ron Mullennex and Jerry Correll, Rose and Michael Randolph. Bluegrass Fiddle: Rebekah Bolt, Meredith Goins, Veronica Randolph, Marlon Dean, Eddie Marrs. Bluegrass Banjo: Mike Mullins, Nessie Hunt, Steve Chrisley, Courtney Wright, Gary Webb. Folk Song: Will Jones, Joe Bevins, Pam Hunt, Phil Bevins, Michael Randolph. Guitar: Rick Hall, Steve Kilby, Joshua Raines, Wayne Dye, Will Jones. Mandolin: Adam McPeak, Brandon Farley, Ryan Blevins, Matt Stacy, Will Jones. Dobro: Hobert Beavers, Adrian Sheets, Brad Beavers. Harmonica: Eddie Marrs, Dairel Bobbitte, Michael Randolph, Robie Castle, Tommy Taylor. Dulcimer: David Parks, Steve Kilby, Donna Correll, Pam Hunt. Bass: Andy Blevins, David Chrisley, Jamie C. Stacy, Rose Randolph. Autoharp: Gary Dalton, Pam Hunt. Youth: Rose Randolph, Joe Bevins, Nathanael Randolph, Chase Noel, Carson Noel, Averie Richardson. Old-Time Band: Rockbridge County Ramblers, Jeffersonville Skirmish Band, Woodhouse Band, Wild Boogers, Lucky Strikes. Bluegrass Band: OJ Crew and the Old South, 5th Gear, Rainy Day Band, Virginia Grass, Adam McPeak and Mountain Thunder. Dance, Men: Robie Castle, Donald Hess, Manuel Collins, Dalton Roberts, Tom Howlett. Dance, Women: Aviva Steigmeyer, Kay Bevins, Anna Roberts-Gevalt, Joyce Sweet, Rita Boothe. Dance, Youth: Dustin Montigne, Kathleen Bevins. Best All-Around Performer(s): The Randolph Family.
The following contestants won awards at this year’s Alleghany County Fiddlers Convention at Sparta, North Carolina. (Hometowns are in North Carolina, unless otherwise noted.) Old-Time Fiddle: Nick McMillian, Mount Airy; Chris Testerman, Troutdale, Virginia; Richard Bowman, Mount Airy; Erika Godfrey-Testerman, Troutdale, Virginia; Emily Phillips, Hillsville, Virginia. Bluegrass Fiddle: Debbie Gitlin, Walkertown; Nathan Aldridge, Graham; John Hofmann, Thomasville, Spencer Strickland, Lambsburg, Virginia; Daniel Greeson, Jamestown. Old-Time Banjo: Marsha Todd, Mount Airy; Jared Boyd, Laurel Fork, Virginia; Ken Inoue, Statesville; Robert Gabb, Winston-Salem; Miguel Villarruel, Glade Valley. Bluegrass Banjo: Steve Lewis, West Jefferson; Steve Chrisley, Wytheville, Virginia; Larry Richie, Mocksville; Casey McPherson, Stuart, Virginia; Gary Webb, Max Meadows, Virginia. Junior Fiddle: Tori Jones, Linwood; Kitty Amaral, Elk Creek, Virginia; Kayleigh Stills, Asheboro. Junior Banjo: Ben Huysman, Sparta; Madison Shepherd, Jefferson; Randall Ford, Cleveland. Autoharp: Mary Umbarger, Harmony; JoAnn Redd, Galax, Virginia; Virgil Adams, Fries, Virginia; Penny Kilby, Mouth of Wilson, Virginia; Vickie Boyd, Laurel Fork, Virginia. Dulcimer: John Rennick, Charlotte; Debbie Toney, Ellenboro; Dick Lamb, Keezletown, Virginia; Tim Thornton, Shawsville, Virginia; Alan Darveaux, Morganton. Dobro: Dalton Cranford, Statesville; Robert Ellis, Mocksville; Roger Weatherman, Ivanhoe, Virginia; Wayne Holt, Saluda, Virginia; Danny Hargis, Huntersville. Vocal: June Weatherman, Ivanhoe, Virginia; Tommy Nichols, Mount Airy; Keith Souther, Mocksville; Paula Dellenback, Ararat, Virginia; Susan Ashe, Lowgap. Harmonica: Glenn Zuhlke, Galax, Virginia; Milton Scott, Thurmond; Paul Hiatt, High Point; Wayne Childress, High Point. Mandolin: Adam McPeak, Max Meadows, Virginia; Ashton Blaylock, Bristol, Tennessee; Connor Lambert, Troutman; Terry Bullin, Elkin; Rodney Hodges, Galax, Virginia. Junior Mandolin: Austin Tate, Marion, Virginia; Vance Lemonds, Charlotte. Guitar: Steve Kilby, Mouth of Wilson, Virginia; Will Jones, Cana, Virginia; Wayne Dye, Cleveland, Virginia; Asa Gravley, Hillsville, Virginia; Glenn Craver, Winston-Salem. Junior Guitar: Jacob Greer, Todd; Emily Long, Jefferson; Tony Hicks, Laurel Fork. Bass: David Chrisley, Wytheville, Virginia; Brandon Holder, Huntsville, Alabama; Loyd Richardson, Warrensville; Scott Gentry, Roaring River; Michael Motley, Kernersville. Junior Bass: Karissa Hayden, Hillsville, Virginia; Katie Jones, Linwood. Old-Time Band: Slate Mountain Ramblers, Mount Airy; Backstep, Mount Airy; Hard Cider, Independence, Virginia; Tune Town, Marion, Virginia; Round Peak Ramblers, Mount Airy. Bluegrass Band: DJ Crew and the Old South, Mount Airy; Destination Bluegrass Band, Mocksville; Sons of the South, Troutman; Adam McPeak and Mountain Thunder, Max Meadows; Loose Ends, Cana, Virginia. Senior Dance: Cherie Compton, Ferrum, Virginia; Marsha Todd, Mount Airy; Vickie Boyd, Laurel Fork, Virginia; Cody Jackson, Austinville, Virginia; Ben Harmon, Bassett, Virginia. Junior Dance (ages 9 – 16): Mary-Claire Hooper, Elkin; Cassidy Chapman, Laurel Springs; Matthew Baumgardner, Galax, Virginia; Kitty Amaral, Elk Creek, Virginia; Ruth Shumway, Charlotte. Children’s Dance (ages 8 and under): Elli Jones, Linwood; Caleb Broom, Lexington; Megan Clayton, Germanton.
The following were contest winners at the 2012 Appalachian String Band Music Festival at Clifftop, West Virginia. Fiddle: Emily Schaad, Poughkeepsie, New York; Stephanie Coleman, Brooklyn, New York; Jake Krack, Marlinton, West Virginia; Grace Forrest, Big Sur, California; John Engle, Asheville, North Carolina. Banjo: Mac Traynham, Willis, Virginia; Mike Kropp, Wyoming, Rhode Island; Joseph Decosimo, Jonesborough, Tennessee; Luke Richardson, Lawrenceburg, Tennessee; Lynn “Chirps” Smith, Whitewater, Wisconsin. Senior Fiddle: Paul Brown, Winston-Salem, North Carolina; Henry T. Fiddler, Arvada, Colorado; Jim Childress, Free Union, Virginia. Senior Banjo: Mike Kropp, Wyoming, Rhode Island; Carl Baron, Ambler, Pennsylvania; Bertram Levy, Port Townsend, Washington. Youth Fiddle: Nina DeVitry, Columbia, Pennsylvania; Andrew Vogts, Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania; Kitty Amaral, Elk Creek, Virginia. Youth Banjo: Victor Furtado, Front Royal, Virginia; Lulu Furtado, Front Royal, Virginia; John Vance, Jr., Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Traditional Band: The Bucking Mules, Jonesborough, Tennessee; Nervous Tick and the Bites, Galax, Virginia; The Cork Burners, Eunice, Louisiana; White Mule, Bloomington, Indiana; Sweet T and the Twisted Lemons, Vinton Virginia. Youth Traditional Band: Lyin’ Lizzy and the Psycho Exploding Orangutans, Front Royal, Virginia. Neo-Traditional Band: Drunken Catfish Ramblers, Fayetteville, Arkansas; Critton Hollow, Paw Paw, West Virginia; The Old 78‘s and the Retro Ramblers, Kingston, Arkansas; Westbound Rangers, Nashville, Tennessee; Jubal’s Kin, Longwood, Florida. Youth Neo-Traditional Band: Davy Jones’ Evidence Locker, Elkins, West Virginia. Best Original Song: Westbound Rangers, Nashville, Tennessee. Best Original Tune: Jubal’s Kin, Longwood, Florida. Old-Time Flatfoot Dance, 15 years and under: Rebecca Molaro, Asheville, North Carolina; Jeffrey Amundsen, Longwood, Florida; Mattie Amundsen, Longwood, Florida. Old-Time Flatfoot Dance, 16 – 40: Sarah Josephine Stewart, Charlottesville, Virginia; Clay Sutton, Marshall, North Carolina; Elizabeth LaPrelle, Rural Retreat, Virginia. Old-Time Flatfoot Dance, 41 – 59: Jay Bland, Kennesaw, Georgia; Gordon Hinners, Weaverville, North Carolina; Abby Ladin, Bloomington, Indiana. Old-Time Flatfoot Dance, 60 and over: Rodney Sutton, Marshall, North Carolina; Marilyn Branch, Kalamazoo, Michigan; Maureen Busch-Terman, Morgantown, West Virginia.
At the Galax (Virginia) Old Fiddlers’ Convention, held August 6 – 11, the contest winners were as follows. (All hometowns are in Virginia unless otherwise noted.) Old-Time Fiddle: Jake Krack, Marlinton, West Virginia; Eddie Bond, Fries; Jacob Bowen, State Road, North Carolina; Richard Bowman, Mount Airy, North Carolina; Nick McMillian, Mount Airy, North Carolina; Chris Prillaman, Ferrum; Erika Godfrey, Mount Airy, North Carolina; Andy Edmonds, Lowgap, North Carolina; Ivy Sheppard, Charleston, South Carolina; Nancy Sluys, Westfield, North Carolina. Bluegrass Fiddle: Corinna Logston, Nashville, Tennessee; Glen Alexander, Pfafftown, North Carolina; Caleb McAllister, Fincastle; Spencer Strickland, Lambsburg; Danny Knicely, Taylorstown; Debbie Gitlin, Walkertown, North Carolina; Danielle Bishop, Fairview, North Carolina; Aaron Lewis, Richmond; Daniel Greeson, Jamestown, North Carolina; John Hoffman, Thomasville, North Carolina. Clawhammer Banjo: Brien Fain, Mount Airy, North Carolina; Josh Ellis, Galax; Jim Lloyd, Rural Retreat; Trish Fore, Galax; Tina Steffey, Jonesborough, Tennessee; Jared Boyd, Laurel Fork; Daniel Boyer, Fries; Ben Hill, Galax; Andy Sayers, Rural Retreat; Marianne Kovatch, Fries. Bluegrass Banjo: Brandy Miller, West Jefferson, North Carolina; Andy Lowe, Winston-Salem, North Carolina; Jeremy Stephens, Danville; Gina Clowes, Winchester; Rusty Breedlove, Salem; Danny Bowers, Winston-Salem, North Carolina; Matthew Turman, Eden, North Carolina; Derrick Easter, Cana; Stevie Barr, Galax; Steve Chrisley, Wytheville. Youth Old-Time Fiddle: Andrew Vogts, Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania; Kitty Amaral, Elk Creek; Luke Barnhill, Fishersville; Laci Broom, Lexington, North Carolina; Maggie Faulkner, Belleville, New Jersey. Youth Bluegrass Fiddle: Adam Larkey, Johnson City, Tennessee; Daniel Greeson, Jamestown, North Carolina; Carlie Arrowood, Union Mills, North Carolina; Nathan Aldridge, Graham, North Carolina; Crystal Shipley, Kingsport, Tennessee. Youth Clawhammer Banjo: Victor Furtado, Front Royal; Miguel Villarruel, Glade Valley, North Carolina; Robbie Anders, Galax; Lulu Furtado, Front Royal; Madison Shepherd, West Jefferson, North Carolina. Youth Bluegrass Banjo: David Chrisley, Max Meadows; Austin Greer, Marion; Jacob Johnson, North Wilkesboro, North Carolina; Blake Lanning, Lexington, North Carolina; Blaine Johnson, Beaver, West Virginia. Guitar: Brandon Davis, Independence; Wayne Henderson, Rugby; Jesse Smythers, Eden, North Carolina; Lucas White, Corsicana, Texas; Will Jones, Cana; Scott Fore, Radford; Jack Dunlap, Winchester; Tony Collins, Bristol; John Hinshelwood, Abingdon; Scott Patrick, Christiansburg. Youth Guitar: Tony Hicks, Laurel Fork; Danielle Yother, Pickens, South Carolina; Travis Starkey-Moore, Rocky Mount; Elise Fernandez, Durham, North Carolina; Jacob Greer, Todd, North Carolina. Dobro: Eddie Marrs, Princeton, West Virginia; Trent Russell, Rocky Mount; Donnie Scott, Mount Airy, North Carolina; Robert Ellis, Mocksville, North Carolina; Pammy Davis, Pleasant Garden, North Carolina; Barry Cheek, Snow Camp, North Carolina; Maggie Anderson, Woodlawn; Fred Knight, Sarasota, Florida; Gerald Anderson, Troutdale. Danny Hargis, Huntersville, North Carolina. Mandolin: Ralph McGee, King, North Carolina; Mark Jones, Kernersville, North Carolina; Scott Freeman, Woodlawn; Chase Johner, Jefferson, North Carolina; Cory Piatt, Springfield, Tennessee; Tom Mindte, Rockville, Maryland; Ricky Ellis, Bedford; Zeb Snyder, Lexington, North Carolina; Taylor Baker, Winchester; Sage Wright, Rocky Mount. Youth Mandolin: Jonah Horton, Wilkesboro, North Carolina; Olivia Fernandez, Durham, North Carolina; Catherine Conner, Stuart; Jeremiah Gilmer, Bracey; Connar Hagwood, Durham, North Carolina. Dulcimer: Dot Christenson, Lexington; Sharon Boyd, Colonial Heights; Hunter Walker, Beckley, West Virginia; Marsha Harris, Morehead City, North Carolina; Phyllis Gaskins, Port Republic; Don Neuhauser, Charlestown, Indiana; Dick Lamb, Keezletown; Kathy Hollingsworth, Christiansburg; Tim Thornton, Shawsville; Katie Lusk, Vinton. Autoharp: John Hollandsworth, Christiansburg; David Kilby, Peach Bottom, Pennsylvania; Ronnie Burroughs, Keysville; Libby Kahn, Independence; Doug Pratt, Cary, North Carolina; Penny Kilby, Mouth of Wilson; Virgil Adams, Fries; Lois Shumaker, Olin, North Carolina; Frederick Douglas, Pickens, South Carolina; Ward Reece, Willis. Folk Song: Sam Gleaves, Rural Retreat; Leslie Dunbar, Eagle Rock; Amy Ellis, Bedford; Jesse Shumate, Premier, West Virginia; Sheena Padgett, Hillsville; Ted Turner, Mount Airy, North Carolina; Jamie Collins, Bristol, Tennessee; Macon Gurley, Staunton; Alex Reese, Christiansburg; Tyler Williams, Johnson City, Tennessee. Dance: Marsha Todd, Mount Airy, North Carolina; John Perry, Independence; Darrell Weaver, Lyndhurst; Delbert Dunford, Wytheville; Mark Handy, Marion; Brett Martin, Independence; Michael Motley, Mount Airy, North Carolina; Julie Powell, Big Stone Gap; Angela Hale, Elk Creek; Laura Boyles, Galax. Old-Time Bands: Whoopin’ Hollar String Band, Marlinton, West Virginia; Crooked Road Ramblers, Galax; New Ballards Branch Bogtrotters, Galax; Dry Hill Draggers, Ferrum; Slate Mountain Ramblers, Mount Airy, North Carolina; Southern Pride, Galax; Virginia Creepers, Fries; Blue Ridge Mountain Ramblers, Lowgap, North Carolina; Roan Mountain Hilltoppers, Roan Mountain, Tennessee; New River Bound, Christiansburg; Backstep, Mount Airy, North Carolina; West Bound 37, Rural Retreat; Zephyr Lightning Bolts, State Road, North Carolina; Pilot Mountain Bobcats, Westfield, North Carolina; Hard Cider, Independence. Bluegrass Bands: Narrow Road, Mount Airy, North Carolina; Esquire J and the Rejects, Jonesborough, Tennessee; Breakin’ Jimmy’s Martin, Winston-Salem, North Carolina; Exit 109, Hillsville; Drive Time Show, Johnson City, Tennessee; Adam McPeak and Mountain Thunder, Max Meadows; Cross Roads, Cana; Carolina Grass, Mocksville, North Carolina; Turkey Creek, Kingsport, Tennessee; Destination Bluegrass Band, Mocksville, North Carolina; Blue Delivery, Greenville, North Carolina; Cool Breeze Bluegrass, Erwin, Tennessee; New Horizon, Sparta, Tennessee; Blu-Vue, Mount Airy, North Carolina; Cox and Company, Hillsville. Youth Bands: Last Minute Bluegrass, Piney Flatts, Tennessee; The Barrell Bunch, Galax; Psycho Exploding Orangutans, Front Royal; Pike City, Laurel Fork; The Tadpoles, Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Best All-Around Performer: Jake Krack, Marlinton, West Virginia.
At this year’s Johnson County Old-Time Fiddlers Convention, held on August 25 at Laurel Bloomery, Tennessee, the following were contest winners. Fiddle: Kilby Spencer, Erika Godfry-Testerman, Tessa Dillon, Bill Birchfield, Crystal Blevins. Twin Fiddle: Erynn Marshall and Carl Jones, Bill Birchfield and Adrian Powell, Kitty Amaral and Jerry Correll, Ryan Nickerson and Brandon Holder, Gladys Musser and Ellie Kirby. Banjo: Gary Holmgren, Brett Martin, Andy Sayers, Michael Fox, Chris Testerman. Guitar: Wayne Dye, Steve Kilby, Tom Wright, Glenn Craver, Jonathan Campbell. Mandolin: Wayne Dye, Rodney Hodges, Stuart Wade, Carl Jones, Norman Walling. Bass: Adam Smith, Zack Pozenbanchuk, Lulu Meade, Dale Collins. Dulcimer: James Garland, Chad Bogart, Steve Kilby. Harmonica: Glen Zuhlke, Eddie Ogle, Art Lang, Paul Hiatt. Autoharp: Bill Birchfield, James H. Garland, Penny Kilby, Rody Jane Meadows. Old-Time Band: The Crooked Road Ramblers, Sweet T and the Twisted Lemons, Carolina Slim and the Stack of Dimes, The Roan Mountain Hilltoppers, Hard Cider. Vocal Duet: Mollie and Sadie Yates, Leon and Tommy Blevins, Kelly and Ian Snider, Lucas and Iboya Paisley, Erynn Marshall and Carl Jones. Folk Song: Kenny Price, Kevin Roberts, Ruth Barber, Steve Kruger, Roald Kirby. Youth Performance: Kitty Amaral, Liam Purcel, Mollie Yates, Sadie Yates, Asa Nelson. Youth Dance: Laurel Koenig, Sadie Yates, Hazel Paisley, Kitty Amaral, Talmage Paisley. Adult Dance: Marty Todd, Marsha Todd, Rodney Sutton, Brett Martin, Scott Koenig.
At the Hoppin’ John Old-Time and Bluegrass Fiddler’s Convention, held at Silk Hope, North Carolina, September 13 – 15, contest winners were as follows. Old-Time Fiddle: Kirsten Harris, Ivy Sheppard, Charlie Hunter. Old-Time Banjo: Ben Reiser, Andy Cahan, Jason Hughes. Bluegrass Fiddle: Sophia Fernandez, Logan Valleroy, Tanner Hanson. Bluegrass Banjo: Brandon Hanson, Courtney Clapp, David Thornberry. Guitar: Phillip Clapp, Cary Moscovitz, Glen Craver. Mandolin: Zack Mondry, John Sullivan, Spencer Mobley. Folk Song: Mica Spence, Cary Moscovitz, Tim Wells. Bass: Keith Sikes, Adam Smith, Kill-basa Bill. Old-Time Band: Grey Beagle, Cousin Amy, Piedmont Perennials. Bluegrass Band: Loose Gravel, Grass Up and Go, The Picken Band. Non-Traditional Band: Riders in Disguise, The Milkshakes and All the Boys from the Yard, Chatham County JAM. Adult Dance: Linda Block, Aaron Ratcliffe, Emolyn Liden. Youth Dance: Johannah Schilling, Macy Henson, Alexander Meredith. Cook-Off: The Mamas, Muriel Magnolia, The Feral Dogs.
The Pickens County (South Carolina) Ole Time Fiddlin’ Convention and South Carolina State Fiddling Championship, held September 15 at Hagood Mill near Pickens, had the following winners. Fiddle: Robert Burns (2012 South Carolina State Fiddling Champion), Josh Johnson, David White. Junior Fiddle: Peyton O’Kelley, Robert Wright, Mary Johnson. Banjo: Josh Johnson, David White, Bob Buckingham. Guitar: Danielle Yother, Nick Hallman, Alex Alexander. Wildcat Open: Michele Turner, Peyton O’Kelley, Danielle Yother. Junior Open: Danielle Yother, Robert Wright, Gracie Dellinger. String Band: The BattleAxe Band, Pinetop Revival, Four-Mule Pileup.
At the Schoolhouse Fiddling Bee, held on October 14 in Avoca, Nebraska, the following contestants won awards. (Hometowns listed are all in Nebraska.) Open Division: Zachary Brom, Omaha; Mike Oneel, Ord; Fiala Peters, Omaha. Singing Division: Devin Cartwright, accompanied by Deborah Mosier. Fee Fi Faux Division: Sharon Roberts-Yuen, Lincoln (for playing “Irish Washerwoman” on bass, alto, and sopranino recorders). Hocus Pocus Division: Hanilla VanKirk, Omaha (for playing a fiddle tune while standing on one foot).
The Bailey Mountain Cloggers of Mars Hill College in Mars Hill, NorthCarolina, won their twentieth national championship this year at the American Clogging Hall of Fame National Competition in Maggie Valley, North Carolina.
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