Locals win MerleFest contests

Press release here:

WILKESBORO, N.C. (April 29, 2009)--MerleFest is known not only for presenting excellent entertainment on its musical stages, but also for giving aspiring musicians an opportunity to learn from the masters through various workshops, and allowing them to compete in three instrument contests.

MerleFest 2009, presented by Lowe's, is proud to announce the winners of this year's instrument contests:

MerleFest Mandolin Contest

1st Place - Bryan McDowell from Canton, North Carolina

2nd Place - Jesse Daniel from Pisgah, Alabama

3rd Place - Caleb Courtner from Butler, Tennessee

This year's judges were Tony Williamson, Bil VornDick and Rad Andy. Prizes were: Grand Prize/First Place - Gibson F-9 F-Style mandolin, valued at $3350, $300 cash and a performance on the Cabin Stage on Saturday, April 25; Second Place - Gibson Flatiron "Festival" F-Style mandolin, valued at $1350, and $200 cash; Third Place - Calton mandolin case, valued at $735, and $50 cash.

The MerleFest Mandolin Contest was sponsored by Gibson, D'Addario, and 1-800-Bluegrass.

Merle Watson Bluegrass Banjo Championship

1st Place - Seth Taylor from Bryson City, North Carolina

2nd Place - Johnathan Dillon from Wirtz, Virginia

3rd Place - Owen Piatt from Springfield, Tennessee

This year's judges were Bil VornDick, Kristin Scott Benson of The Grascals, Pete Wernick, and 2008 Merle Watson Bluegrass Banjo Championship winner Ken Whitesides. Prizes were: Grand Prize/First Place - Deering "Terry Baucom" Edition banjo, valued at $4600, one set of John Pearse strings, $300 cash and a performance on the Cabin Stage on Saturday, April 25; Second Place - Gibson RB-250 banjo, valued at $3300, one set of John Pearse strings and $200 cash; Third Place - Calton banjo case, valued at $785, one set of John Pearse strings and $50 cash.

The Merle Watson Bluegrass Banjo Competition was sponsored by Deering Banjo Company, John Pearse Strings, Gibson, and 1-800-Bluegrass.

Doc Watson Guitar Championship

1st Place - Tyler Grant from Nashville, Tennessee

2nd Place - Tony Watt from Schenectady, New York

3rd Place - Buddy Dunlap from Wardensville, West Virginia

This year's judges were: Mitch Greenhill, Jack Lawrence, and 2008 Doc Watson Guitar Championship winner Seth Taylor. Prizes were: Grand Prize/First Place - Gallagher guitar and case, valued at $3200, one set of John Pearse strings, $300 cash and a performance on the Cabin Stage on Saturday, April 25; Second Place - Taylor 310 guitar, full featured with cutaway and electronics and valued at $2000, one set of John Pearse strings and $200 cash; Third Place - Calton guitar case, valued at $895, one set of John Pearse strings and $50 cash.

The Doc Watson Guitar Championship was sponsored by Taylor Guitars, Gallagher Guitars, John Pearse Strings, and 1-800-Bluegrass.

The instrument contests were open to paid MerleFest ticket holders. Twenty registrants were randomly selected to participate in each contest. Contestants were judged on arrangement, execution and tuning, spirit, and overall impression.

Update on Wednesday, April 29, 2009 by Ash

Correction issued:

The 3rd place winner of this year’s Doc Watson Guitar Championship was actually Fred Duggin of Nashville, Tennessee, not Buddy Dunlap, as previously communicated. The MerleFest staff regrets the error.

An additional sponsor of the guitar championship was In Memory of Bruce Sanders.