Flatpicking Contest Contestants

[Folkstrum]

Maybe one of you guys that enter these (Pistolero, you out there?) can give me an idea of how many (approximately) "regulars" there are that travel to these. The reason I ask, is I've seen some of the guys at our local Festival, a NY State Flatpicking Championship--and if you go to Wayne Henderson's links, many of the same names...and I'd suspect elsewhere--and they all seem to get on really fine together before and after they play, win, lose or draw. So...

•is this like a "seasonal hobby" where these guys simply travel from one to another, for a month or two? I assume they all have to work for a living...
•I'm sure this is stupid, but has a gal ever walked off with one of the championships? (I must admit I didn't go through all of Wayne's archived stuff)
•Is there one (or two) considered the "grandaddy of them all"? The "grail" (maybe Wayne's because of his building repute and Allen St. John's book about him).

Just wonderin'. Thanks. :wink:

[yardism]

I think Winfield is considered the grandaddy of them all.

[HHP]

Dito on Winfield. The winner there is considered National Champion.

[Folkstrum]

Dito on Winfield. The winner there is considered National Champion.
Makes sense--Pistolero won that last year, correct? I've seen Matt Lindsey last year at "our festival"--he was edged out by the most minimal things-Clay Hess was one of the 3 judges. I just don't have the ear or expertise to pick up on what gets deducted for what--it's not like they're playing wrong notes! In any case, it is a humbling experience to watch these guys.

[HHP]

Makes sense--Pistolero won that last year, correct? I've seen Matt Lindsey last year at "our festival"--he was edged out by the most minimal things-Clay Hess was one of the 3 judges. I just don't have the ear or expertise to pick up on what gets deducted for what--it's not like they're playing wrong notes! In any case, it is a humbling experience to watch these guys.

There's a very particular style to the contest playing designed to appeal to the judges. You also seem to see certain tunes get popular at contest. Couple of years ago it seemed everybody had to have a version of Angeline the Baker.

[BigRed51]

Makes sense--Pistolero won that last year, correct?

Last year a 17 year old named Dillon Hodges was the winner ... good way to celebrate your senior year of high school, I guess. You can hear some of his work at www.myspace.com/dillonhodges. There is a nice youth movement going on ... Michael Morrison, a 15 year old that I have been jamming with for the past 4 years, finished 4th. Michael had finished second to Allen Shadd (Pistolero) at the Texas state championship a few weeks before Winfield.

Mr Shadd did, however, win in 1996, and has finished second at least twice.

[ricks]

Allen won in 1997. He was second in 1996 and again in 2006. Not sure of any other "podiums" for him at Winfield.
He has also won several other contests around the country including New England and at the Henderson festival in Virginia.