2012 Music Competitions
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| RockyGrass mandolin contest |
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Once again, instrumentalists and bands from around the country will take part in the nationally recognized RockyGrass band and instrument contests, vying for beautiful instruments, cash prizes, and well-deserved recognition.
Congratulations to the 2011 band and instrument contest winners.
2012 RockyGrass Band Competition
Bands perform around a single microphone in the Wildflower Pavilion on Saturday and finals take place Sunday morning in the Wildflower Pavilion. Awards include an invitation to play a set at the 2013 Festival, cash prizes, and more...
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| 2009 Band Contest Finalists |
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2012 Band Competition Rules
- Please note: Contestants are required to use one stage mike for the preliminary and final rounds of the band contest.
- No more than 12 bands will be registered for the band contest.
- The band contest is held inside the festival grounds, so all band members must have tickets for the festival for the days of the contest (Saturday for the preliminary round, Sunday for the finals).
- Bands may consist of 3-6 members. The music should be "Bluegrass," "Old Time", "Western Swing" or "New Acoustic/Newgrass".
- Recommended time limit: 3 minutes per song. The judges mark you down if a selection significantly exceeds 3 minutes.
- No electric instruments or pickups allowed, with exception of electric bass and steel guitar (or lap steel). Only one mic will be provided for each band.
- Each band plays 3 songs in the preliminaries and 3 songs in the finals. The 3 band selections must be the following types: 1. A slow vocal song, 2. An instrumental song, 3. A fast vocal song. Tempos are relative.
- Repeats of songs played in the preliminary round is not allowed in the finals.
- No drum sets or standing percussion allowed.
- Bands entering the contest may have no common members.
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| 2008 Band Contest winners The High 48s |
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Bands Score in These Categories
- 30% Material Selection (taste, difficulty, authenticity/originality...)
- 30% Instrumental Performance (includes ability of soloists and overall instrumental blend) 30% Vocal Performance (lead and harmony)
- 10% Stage Presence
Band Competition Prizes
- 1st Place: $750, strings and Festival main stage performance in the year 2013
- 2nd Place: $500 & strings
- 3rd Place: $300 & strings
- Prizes awarded immediately following final rounds
Band Competition Schedule
- Preliminaries: 12:30pm, Saturday, July 28th in the Wildflower Pavilion.
- Finals: 12:30pm, Sunday, July 29th in the Wildflower Pavilion.
2011 Band Contest Winners
Congratulations to the 2011 Band Contest winners 23 String Band. They're the first band confirmed for the main stage of the 40th Annual RockyGrass Festival (July 27-29, 2012). Congratulations to the 3 finalists:
- 1st place: 23 String Band
- 2nd place: Windy Hill
- 3rd place: Blackberry Bushes
2012 Instrument Contests
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| 2011 Instrument Contest Finalists (photo Benko Photographics) |
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The RockyGrass Music Competitions are traditional bluegrass competitions. Instrument competitions include flatpick guitar, mandolin, banjo, dobro, and fiddle. Finalists receive beautiful instruments and cash prizes. The preliminary round is held in the Wildflower Pavilion and the final rounds are held on the RockyGrass main stage for all to enjoy.
2012 Contest Registration
- The registration fee is $15. This registration fee is fully refundable if you notify us before June 22, 2012.
RockyGrass Instrument Contest Rules
- Because the contest takes place on the Festival grounds, you must have a ticket to the Festival to participate.
- Each competition is limited to 12 registered contestants. If there are still spaces available contest day, you may register on site at the workshop/contest tent on a first come, first served basis.
- Time limit is 3 minutes per song. The judges will mark you down if selections significantly exceed the time limit.
- Contestants plays 2 songs in the preliminary round and 2 songs in the final round if finishing in the top three.
- Repeats of preliminary songs are not allowed in the finals.
- One backup musician allowed. No electric instruments or pickups allowed.
- The Picking contest is judged ”in the blind”; i.e. judges will not be in the audience.
- Contestants who have previously won a contest may not enter that contest again.
- The contestant order will be randomly assigned prior to each round.
- In the event of a tie or virtual tie, the judges as a group will be allowed discretion to come to a consensus regarding the winner(s). A virtual tie is defined as total scores within 5 points of each other. Judges may need to confer to ensure fairness and consistency in the rating process.
Pickers & Fiddlers Score in the Following Categories
- 50% Overall Ability (includes difficulty, expression, material selection, taste, execution)
- 25% Rhythm
- 25% Tone
2012 RockyGrass Instrument Contest Prizes
Prizes awarded immediately following final rounds on the Main Stage.
Banjo
1st Place: New instrument (model tba) | 2nd Place $100 |
3rd Place: $50
Flatpick Guitar
1st Place: New instrument (model tba) | 2nd Place: $100 |
3rd Place: $50
Mandolin
1st Place: New instrument (model tba) | 2nd Place: $100 |
3rd Place: $50
Fiddle
1st Place:New instrument (model tba) |
2nd Place: $100 |
3rd Place: $50
Dobro
1st Place: New instrument (model tba) | 2nd Place: $100 | 3rd Place: $50
2012 RockyGrass Instrument Contest Schedule
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| RockyGrass Fiddle Contest |
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Banjo
Prelims: 11:30am, Friday, July 27th, Wildflower Pavilion
Finals: 10:45am, Saturday, July 28th, Main Stage
Flatpick Guitar
Prelims: 1:00pm, Friday, July 27th, Wildflower Pavilion
Finals: 10:30am, Saturday, July 28th, Main Stage
Mandolin
Prelims: 2:30pm, Friday, July 27th, Wildflower Pavilion
Finals: 10:15am, Saturday, July 28th, Main Stage
Fiddle
Prelims: 4:00pm, Friday, July 27th, Wildflower Pavilion
Finals: 10:00am, Saturday, July 28th, Main Stage
Dobro
Prelims: 5:30pm, Friday, July 27th, Wildflower Pavilion
Finals: 9:45am, Saturday, July 28th, Main Stage
2011 Contest Winners
Dobro
- 1st place: John Meek (Henderson, NV). Recipient of a Wechter Rob Ickes Model Resophonic Guitar.
- 2nd place: Tony Pole Castro (Livingston, MT).
- 3rd place: Dustin Orbesen (Albuquerque, NM).
Fiddle
- 1st place: Ian Walsh (St. Louis, MO). Recipient of a EVL - Electric Violin Lutherie violin.
- 2nd place: Scott Moore (West View, KY).
- 3rd place: Sam Weiss (Albuquerque, NM).
Mandolin
- 1st place: Dave Goldenberg (Boulder, CO). Recipient of a Gibson F5G Custom.
- 2nd place: Matt Witler (La Crescenta, CA).
- 3rd place: Jake Workman (Draper, UT).
Guitar
- 1st place: Isaac Eicher (Sand Springs, OK). Recipient of a Martin D-16GT Guitar.
- 2nd place: Sam Payne (Champagne, IL).
- 3rd place: Rich Kearns (McKinleyville, CA).
Banjo
- 1st place: Steven Moore (Bethesda, OH). Recipient of a Deering Eagle II Model Banjo.
- 2nd place: Jake Workman.
- 3rd place: William MacLean (Laramie, WY).