October Fiddle & Banjo Contest!

We will be having a fiddle and banjo contest the last Saturday of October. That is Saturday, October 27, 2007, at Noon. Registration starts at 11:00 a.m. It will be held at L&B's Eastend, 1215 Spotsylvania, New Athens, IL. This is just 1/4 mile from our shop.

Five Fiddle Divisions & Three Banjo Divisions. All Junior Contestants receive a medal regardless of placement. The Fiddle Divisions are: Junior III (12 & Under), Junior II (13-15 Years Old), Junior I (16-18 Years Old), Open (19 & Over), and Senior (60 & Over). The Banjo Divisions are Junior (15 & Under), Open (16 & Over), Senior (60 & Over). Prize money varies in each division, but a total of over $1000 in prizes & trophies will be awarded. The top Fiddle-Open winner receives $150, and the top Banjo-Open winer receives $100. Prizes will be awarded at the completion of each division.

This will be a blind panel judged event. This means that the judges will not see who is performing. Contestants will be called by their number only, and neither contestants or backup musicians may speak on stage in a way that can be heard through the microphone.

General Admission is $7.00. Seniors are $4.00. Children 12 & Under are Free with a parent. Contestants & Backup Musicians are admitted free; however, all contestants regardless of age must pay a nominal $2.00 Entry Fee. This is a not-for-profit event -- so your donations are gladly accepted. L&B's has given us the use of their spacious hall for FREE! There is plenty of parking, it is easily accessible (and handicap accessible), and there will be food & drinks available.

This is our annual October Fiddle & Banjo Contest, and one of the things that makes this event so much more fun is that it is a costume affair. Everyone is invited to dress Western, Hillbilly, or Grand Ol' Opry style. Not required, but it's sure a lot of fun!

General Rules:
1. Registration closes at the start of each division.
2. Fiddle contestants will play a waltz and a hoedown. Total time limit is 4 minutes from the start of the first song. No "trick" tunes, such as Orange Blossom Special or Mockingbird, are permitted.
3. Banjo contestants will play two tunes of choice. No D tuner songs are allowed. Alternate tunings are allowed, but your total time limit is still 4 minutes.
4. Up to two backup musicians allowed. Backup may not play lead, and may not play the same instrument as contestant.
5. Contestants are judged on rhythm & timing, apropriateness & difficulty of tune, true rendition & variations, smoothness, pitch & tuning, and overall performance. Audience reaction does not affect placement or score.
6. Decisions of the judges are final.

Directions: From St. Louis, take 255 across the Jefferson Barracks bridge to Hwy 15 E (Belleville exit). Stay on 15/13 through the town of Freeburg. When you get to the Motomart in Freeburg, stay straight on Hwy. 13 to the next town -- New Athens. Go straight through the traffic light to the next intersection. Make a left onto Baldwin Road. Drive about 1/4 mile to L&Bs, which will be straight in front of you.

For more information, feel free to e-mail me or call us at The Bluegrass Shack at 618-475-3678.