MerleFest announces contest winners

MerleFest is known not only for presenting premier 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, N.C.
2nd Place - Jesse Daniel from Pisgah, Ala.
3rd Place - Caleb Courtner from Butler, Tenn.

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 $3,350, $300 cash and a performance on the Cabin Stage on Saturday, April 25; Second Place - Gibson Flatiron “Festival” F-Style mandolin, valued at $1,350, 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, N.C.
2nd Place - Johnathan Dillon from Wirtz, Va.
3rd Place - Owen Piatt from Springfield, Tenn.
 
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 $4,600, 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 $3,300, 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 - Fred Duggin from Nashville, Tennessee
 
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 $3,200, 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, In Memory of Bruce Sanders, 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.