A repeat!
A Columbia girl, for the second year in a row, has claimed the top Jamboree award as the best fiddler in the National Championship for Country Musician Beginners. The competition was held Saturday afternoon as part of the Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree and Crafts Festival
Ella Derby won the coveted James G. “Bobo” Driver Memorial Award, named for the man who started the children’s competition during the 1980’s as part of the annual festival. Members of Mr. Driver’s family presented the award to Derby.
Meanwhile Kade Stewart of Anderson, Alabama was winner of the Nolan Turner Memorial Entertainer of the Year award. The honor, sponsored by the Turner family, is presented to the best overall instrumental entertainer among winners in the dobro guitar, mandolin, five string banjo, and flat top guitar competition. Turner, who died in October 2017, was a long time Fiddlers’ Jamboree supporter and photographer. Stewart earned first place in the beginner dobro guitar contest; took second place in the beginner five string banjo and flat top guitar events; and earned third place in beginner mandolin.
The National Championship for Country Musician Beginners showcases the talents of children up to age twelve in seven categories of competition.
This year’s winners are as follows:
Beginner Fiddle sponsored by the S&B Design: First Place-Ella Derby of Columbia; Second Place- Kadence Edgington of Nashville; and Third Place- Sophie Gruber of Meridanville, Alabama
Beginner Buck Dancing sponsored by DeKalb Title: First Place- Levi Campbell of McMinnville, Second Place- Lyla Mae Wharton of Mount Juliet, and Third Place- Adley Wharton of Mount Juliet
Beginner Clogging sponsored by Cody Tipton, Realtor: First Place- Lyla Mae Wharton of Mount Juliet; Second Place- Adley Wharton of Mount Juliet, and Third Place- Ryman Harris of Rockvale.
Beginner Dobro Guitar sponsored by Three Nails Lounge & Spa: First Place- Kade Stewart of Anderson, Alabama.
Beginner Mandolin sponsored by The Attic on Walnut Street: First Place- Silas Pegg of Gallatin, Second Place- Sophie Gruber of Meridanville, Alabama, and Third Place- Kade Stewart of Anderson, Alabama
Beginner Five String Banjo sponsored by Legacy Haus: First Place- Immanuel Roberts of Fort Payne , Alabama; Second Place- Kade Stewart of Anderson, Alabama; and Third Place- Ryker Lemons of Murfreesboro.
Beginner Flat Top Guitar sponsored by Cross Driven Motorsports Exhaust: First Place-Collette Rainwater of Murfreesboro; Second Place- Kade Stewart of Anderson, Alabama; and Third Place- Joel Roberts of Fort Payne , Alabama