New England Flatpicking Championship/Ossipee Valley.. I won a guitar!

[Pistolero]

I just got home from a trip to Ossippee Valley in Cornish Maine for the New England Flatpicking championship. It kind of a small festival but they give away very nice guitars for the prizes. Last year there were only a couple of really good players and if you were pretty good, you stood a very good chance of getting a guitar. So the idea this year seemed to be that the competition wouldn't be that heavy, but everybody had the same idea. Imagine the surprise when the contestants started showing up and it would include at least 2 national champs from Winfield, as well as several more that have placed several times either at Winfield or Merlefest or both. One comment that I heard (aside from the numerous, "Oh crap!") was that it was like the final round of competition at Winfield, and it really was. This was the toughest one I have been in probably since I won Winfield in '97.

There were 3 judges that could score up to 100 points for each contestant, for a total of 300 possible points. When the dust settled, there was a difference of only 4 points between 1st, 2nd and 3rd! And a 3 way tie for 4th, just a few points back! Everybody played well, but when the dust settled Adam Wright took first place, and he earned it. Adam has also won Winfield in 2001 and Merlefest as well. He took home a new Bourgeois dreadnaught for his performance. 3rd place went to Steve Lewis, who has placed many times at Winfield and won Merlefest. He took home a new Taylor 710, a strong one at that! I got lucky and took home 2nd place this time. For my efforts, I got a new Martin HD28. This is probably the best sounding one new out of the box that I've ever played, which really stinks since I intended to sell it. It's always easier to part with a dog of a guitar, but not a good one. It has very dark rosewood with very straight grain, the top has a good bit of silking throughout and just a hint of a bearclaw. After the contest, we all three took our guitars for pictures and jammed on a tune or two, I definitely got the best guitar after hearing all 3 together.
This contest was kind of a warm up for me to get prepared for Winfield in September. It couldn't have been any tougher for a test, for sure! After the contest, I hit the mainstage and performed that night with the Kruger Brothers, Scott Fore, and Denny Breau, (Lenny's brother, GREAT picker!) It was a long trip, we drove and I took the wife and Luke (her little brother) for a mini-vacation. Maine was beautiful, the people were great as well.

It's good to be home though. I'll try to get a few pictures of the new guitar up tomorrow.

[Jim Tozier]

Congrats, Allen! :)

[gteague]

mucho congrats on the strong second!

which guitar did you use to play the contest?

/guy

[Guyute]

I never really understood how these contests are judged. I mean, it's kind of subjective, isn't it?

Could you explain for the uninitiated?

[mtmikey]

congrats!!!

but... i'm confused...

they'll let you use a pick in new england?

say it ain't so...

i've toyed with the idea of entering in one of these comps... i have no chance of winning, but have thought it might be fun (or not). the canadian guitar festival had one recently... you're right... many of the heavier comp guys and gals are starting to hit more of these. it's not just winfield anymore.

at the cdn festival the competitors were all given a number and played in order. they had 15 minutes to play 3 tunes. they couldn't address the crowd. they had to play seated. their guitar was mic'd and the signal went back to a room where the judges listened (blind). there was also a mic on the crowd to judge audience reaction, which factored in to score.

not really my bag but might be fun.

but please, no picks. for shame.

way to go!

[Pistolero]

mucho congrats on the strong second!

which guitar did you use to play the contest?

/guy


Thanks. I used my Ronnie Griffin dreadnaught for the contest. It's been my main guitar for several years now, walnut back/sides with sitka top. I would have used the new Ken Miller dread, but I haven't had a chance to mic it yet and didn't want the contest to be the first.

[Pistolero]

I never really understood how these contests are judged. I mean, it's kind of subjective, isn't it?

Could you explain for the uninitiated?

Guyute, it is VERY subjective, and that's what a competitor always needs to remember. The best player doesn't always win, it just means the judges liked what he played on that particular day a little better than the rest. Tomorrow could be different. Sometimes there will be a clear winner, in the sense that one person stands out far and above the rest, but usually there is only one, and then a few that are very good but maybe just didn't come across as well, and then a a larger number of contestants that just aren't at that level. The biggest contest is Winfield and usually the rules at other contests are a take off from their guidelines. Here is the judging guidelines from this last contest I was at:

Flat Picking Judging Guidelines:

40 pts. REPERTOIRE AND ARRANGEMENT: Contestants should be rewarded for playing interesting music, and playing good arrangements and good music. It is not enough to merely play all the notes well. They should be notes worth playing. Is the contestant doing something new or original or is it just something that was learned from a recording and directly derivative of a common style or a well name players style?
40 pts. TECHNIQUE (TUNING, EXECUTION AND TIMING): Contestants should maintain a steady pulse and rhythm and properly execute all the notes they attempt to play. Attack, speed, tone, phrasing, etc. all enter into this technical expertise area.
10 pts. OVERALL IMPRESSION AND ARTISTIC QUALITY: Is it good music? Is it pleasant to listen to and evocative of more than just the skill of the player? Is it played with feeling and taste?
10 pts. VERSATILITY: Players who demonstrate proficiency in more than one style will be rated higher than those who only play one style, and likewise points should be given for playing different kinds of music in one style.

Most contests are judged in the blind, meaning the judges are sequestered to a room and can't see the contestant, only hear them. After the judges are in the room, numbers are drawn by the contestants for order of appearance and you are announced on stage as that number, not name. You are not allowed to speak, just play your tunes, usually 2 in a preliminary round and if you make the cut to the finals, 2 more tunes. This contest was not blind, and no final round. You just had 7 minutes to play your selections (I did 3) and hope for the best. Also, most flatpick contests tend to be more strict towards flatpicked fiddle tunes, or that style. In this one you got extra points if you could show other styles well enough.

I would like to say that in a big contest like Winfield, the competitive nature makes things a pressure cooker for nerves, so it only makes it that much harder to play well. Of the 18 competitors this past weekend, I knew all but maybe 3 or 4 from previous contests. There is a comraderie, even with the competition. Steve Lewis played rhythm for me, and of course competed as well. There was alot of that. It's a great way to hear and see some real good players, and exchange ideas. In the past, I've beaten every one of them, and they have also beat me. I listened to every player and Adam was the best player for certain. After that, I had Steve Lewis picked for 2nd and Matt Lindsey for 3rd, I didn't think I was in the top 5. But apparently the judges liked something about what I played better than about 15 others, so I'll take it. On the other hand I've played some where I knew I played well for my ability but didn't place or win, so it all averages out.

For me , it was great to see some great guitar players, as well as their wonderful guitars, and I got lucky enough to win another guitar. That's always a great feeling.

[815C]

The best player doesn't always win,...

I now have hope!!!!! :D


and congrats Pistolero!!!

[Guyute]

Well that's way cool. I'm sure glad you did so well. Since by the simple criterion of "They should be notes worth playing", I'll never win one of these things, next time you enter a contest, can I have the prize? :D

[Bern]

Pistolero,
Congratulation !
Just one question, are the judges players themselves ? I would think that judging flatpickers would require a very good knowledge of the degrees of difficulties presented.

[Pistolero]

Yes the judges are flatpickers themselves. In fact, one of the judges at this particular contest was Scott Fore, a national flatpicking champ himself. Here's a link to my shutterfly album of pics of the HD28 I won. I'm keeping the tags on it until I decide for sure if I'm keeping it or selling it. If I sell it, it will be a new guitar for whoever purchases it with full warranty that way. I really need to sell it, but I really want to keep it. HD28 Pics (http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=9Act2LFq2cP5g)

[ricks]

Congratulations Pistolero.
Very nice looking "prize" there. But me being a Walnut freek I would love to hear more about the guitar you used in the contest.
I would also like to add that it makes me proud to be associated with people like you and others on the forum that show so much talent. Even if it is only through cyber space. Some I have met like Mr Tozier, others I have not, YET.
I hope the people here realize what a depth of talent there is on this forum.
We have some of the best musicians in the country that "hang out" here.

[cotten]

....Here's a link to my shutterfly album of pics of the HD28 I won.... I really need to sell it, but I really want to keep it. HD28 Pics (http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=9Act2LFq2cP5g)

Can you give me a list of the songs that came installed in it? :D

More Congratulations coming from this direction!

cotten

[Hondo]

Congratulations!

[bobbyg67]

you're the man of the hour pistolero! that is so cool. if i entered a contest i'd be so nervous i wouldn't even be able to tune!

[Pistolero]

Thanks guys, I feel extremely lucky to have placed as well as I did, and Adam certainly deserved the win. The more I play this guitar, the more I want to keep it. This one makes the sixth guitar that I've been lucky enough to win in flatpicking contests, and those have included Santa Cruz, Taylor, Gallaghers, a Collings and now this one. The Collings D2h and the Gallagher Doc Watson model that I kept are both great sounding guitars, but I think this HD28 is a little stronger. It sure is making it hard to sell, for sure.

I have yet to meet Mr. Tozier, but have corresponded with him and almost feel like I know him at this point. I can tell you this, his cd gets played ALOT here at the Pistolero household, it is great. I definitely look forward to meeting him as well as other members of this forum one day.

Ricks, whenever we have the N Fl get together, I'll bring all of my guitars for anybody to play that wants, including my Walnut Griffin for you to take for a spin. ;)

[815C]

Adam Wright took first place, and he earned it. Adam has also won Winfield in 2001 and Merlefest as well. He took home a new Bourgeois dreadnaught for his performance.

I got to jam a bit with Adam Wright today at the Williamson County Fair in Tennessee. Great guy and great player. BTW, he won the flatpicking contest today (I didn't get to participate - got there about 30 minutes too late to register :( ) Fred Duggan, who is another great picker took 2nd. Can't remember the guys name who took 3rd, but he was pretty good to.

[bagelsgirl]

Congratulations! It must feel awesome to win contests, and you must be a heck of a player. It's great!

Allow me to whine, now. No fair! Winning guitars ... guitars I can never hope to own! And then selling them! No fair.. no fair... I said NO FAIR!

Ok, I got that off my chest. I know what it takes to play guitar. I'm struggling to earn a prize of my own (a college degree) and it is darn near killing me. I'll probably never win a contest, I appreciate what it takes to play REALLY well, so no doubt, you must have deserved it...seriously, congrats ;)

[Michael K]

Congratulations!! That must be very exciting!!

[Pistolero]

I got to jam a bit with Adam Wright today at the Williamson County Fair in Tennessee. Great guy and great player. BTW, he won the flatpicking contest today (I didn't get to participate - got there about 30 minutes too late to register :( ) Fred Duggan, who is another great picker took 2nd. Can't remember the guys name who took 3rd, but he was pretty good to.


That's funny, Adam said at Ossipee that he was through with contests! HA! Of course I said the same thing after I won Winfield, but I still get into one every now and then, I just don't prepare like I did at one time. Adam really is a great player, I've been seeing him at contests since he was about 13 years old. I know Fred too, he's also a very good player. I have to say that as much as we (group of guys that play contests regularly) compete against each other, there really is a comraderie of sorts. Yes, we want to win, but we all want to see the other guys do well too. And usually on any given day it can really be a crapshoot as to who will win. I don't consider myself better than any of these guys, and I'm sure they would say the same of themselves. And the best part about these contests (nect to winning guitars) is getting to jam with all of these great players.

[Pistolero]

Congratulations! It must feel awesome to win contests, and you must be a heck of a player. It's great!

Allow me to whine, now. No fair! Winning guitars ... guitars I can never hope to own! And then selling them! No fair.. no fair... I said NO FAIR!

Ok, I got that off my chest. I know what it takes to play guitar. I'm struggling to earn a prize of my own (a college degree) and it is darn near killing me. I'll probably never win a contest, I appreciate what it takes to play REALLY well, so no doubt, you must have deserved it...seriously, congrats ;)

Bagelsgirl, you are after a much better prize than me. I'm just a picker. I have been blessed to have won some nice guitars, and I have to admit that winning a guitar in a contest is a bit of a rush. At this point I've won 6 now. I haven't competed seriously in several years, but I won 5 guitars in an 18 month stretch back when I did compete seriously. This latest is the first in several years. Winning and selling is just part of the business, but if a particularly special one comes along I try to keep it. The wife said we can keep this one, so that makes 3 that I've kept. I also kept my Gallagher Doc Watson model, and my Collings D2h from Winfield. I've sold a Taylor, a Gallagher and a Santa Cruz.
Your prize will be worth all of the effort, keep after it.

[815C]

but I still get into one every now and then, I just don't prepare like I did at one time.

Why am I thinking of Tobi Keith's song, I AIN'T AS GOOD AS I ONCE WAS.....but I'm as good once as I ever was....

I'll bet you can still smoke us all on the flat top.