Results from the 2026 Alleghany County Fiddlers’ Convention

Granite City Grass, 1st Place Bluegrass Band at the 2026 Alleghany County Fiddlers’ Convention – photo © G. Nicholas Hancock

Yes, it was somewhat hot and yes, some scattered rain showers fell shortly after noon on Saturday, but that did not stop the ample crowd of spectators and large number of contestants from attending the 30^th Alleghany County Fiddlers’ Convention sponsored by the Sparta-Alleghany Volunteer Fire Department at the county fairgrounds at Sparta, NC this past weekend.  

Competition in both the bluegrass and old-time band categories and in the individual instrument and vocal contests was close and fierce this year, and the three judges, all seasoned musicians, had their job cut out for them.

 Winners for the 2026 event were:

Junior Dance (Age 9-15)

1. Ella Grim, Independence, VA
2. Elise Mace, Lowgap, NC
3. Highland Hollifield, Independence, VA
4. William Boggs, Clarkesville, GA
5. Hannah Sparks, Mt. Airy, NC

Junior Mandolin

1. Eamon Russell, Abingdon, VA
2. Sarah Walls, Vale, NC
3. Micah Edwards, Mocksville, NC
4. Highland Hollifield, Independence, VA
5. AJ Dean, Madison, NC

Junior Guitar

1. Luke Church, North Wilkesboro, NC
2. Corban Walls, Vale, NC
3. Mason Blevins, Marion, VA
4. Kullen Hollifield, Independence, VA

Junior Banjo

1. Josiah Wilkerson, Lowgap, NC
2. Shawn Rippel, Pilot Mountain, NC
3. Audrey Bradshaw, Ennice, NC
4. Silas Walls, Vale, NC
5. Colton Perry, Mouth of Wilson, VA

Junior Fiddle

1. Sterling Knight Hollifield, Independence, VA
2. Lydia Walls, Vale, NC
3. Silas Wilkerson, Lowgap, NC
4. William Boggs, Clarkesville, GA
5. Molly Wilkerson, Lowgap, NC

Junior Band

1. 4 Walls, Vale, NC
2. The Biscuit Eaters, Lowgap, NC
3. Wildflower Gals & Colby, Independence, VA
4. Barefooted Buzzards, Clarksville, GA
5. Stump Band, Independence, VA

Senior Dance (Age 16+)

1. Candace Noah, Dobson, NC
2. Marty Todd, Mt. Airy, NC
3. Doris Christley, Galax, VA
4. Debbie Yates, Konnarock, VA
5. Jimmy T. Handy, Woolwine, VA

Vocal Duet

1. Levi Head & Elijah Smith, Mt. Airy, NC
2. John & Lynn Powell, Mocksville, NC
3. Maylyn & Marsha Todd, Mt. Airy, NC
4. The Williams Brothers, Statesville, NC
5. Rocky Morris & Deb Kauffman, San Antonio, FL

Vocal

1. Tommy Nichols, Mount Airy, NC
2. Meredith Wilkerson, Lowgap, NC
3. Ella Grim, Independence, VA
4. Dawn Myers, Clemmons, NC
5. Rebekah Myers, Hayes, NC

Bluegrass Fiddle/Banjo Duet

1. Travis Watts & Adam Burrows, Mt. Airy, NC
2. Silas & Josiah Wilkerson, Lowgap, NC
3. Elizabeth Blair & Candace Noah, Dobson, NC
4. Alexander & Benjamin Ferranti, Raleigh, NC
5. Dewey Brown III & Dewey Brown IV, Burlington, NC 

Old Time Fiddle/Banjo Duet

1. Ella Grim & Brian Grim, Independence, VA
2. Kaley Kyger & Jack Circle, Rockingham, VA
3. Kevin Fore & Trish Fore, Galax, VA
4. Robbie Herman & Grayson McGuire, Taylorsville, NC
5. Jared Boyd & Shay Garriock, Floyd, VA

Harmonica

1. Rex Horton, Hillsville, VA
2. David Rabon, Salisbury, NC
3. Andy Cole, Brevard, NC

Autoharp

1. Ronnie Burroughs, Keysville, VA
2. Penny Kilby, Mouth of Wilson, VA
3. Vickie Boyd, Laurel Fork, VA
4. Jimmy T. Handy, Woolwine, VA

Dulcimer

1. Diane Parker, Galax, VA
2. Hanna Cutshall, Piney Creek, NC
3. Eva Casstevens, Mocksville, NC
4. Stella Barnett, Independence, VA
5. Danny Casstevens, Mocksville, NC

Dobro

1. Garrett Bryant, Sparta, NC
2. Caleb Bryant, Elkin, NC
3. James Murdock, Lexington, NC
4. Johnathan McHone, Danbury, NC
5. Charlie Milliron, Ferrum, VA

Mandolin

1. Vincent Bullins, Lawsonville, NC
2. Elijah Smith, Mt. Airy, NC
3. Allan McMillian, Cana, VA
4. Greg Jones, Mt. Airy, NC
5. George Wilder Boggs, Clarksville, GA

Bass Fiddle

1. Timothy Williams, Statesville, NC
2. John Fogleman, Pleasant Garden, NC
3. Chris Johnson, Sparta, NC
4. Scott Gentry, Sparta, NC
5. Michael Plumley, Deer Creek, WV

Guitar

1. Tommy Chandler, Mocksville, NC
2. Hudson Mikeal, Crumpler, NC
3. Cody McGrady, Galax, VA
4. Will Byrd, Brevard, NC
5. Jay Williams, Statesville, NC

Old Time Banjo

1. Trish Fore, Galax, VA 
2. Jared Boyd, Floyd, VA
3. Robbie Herman, Taylorsville, NC
4. Devon Flaherty, Carrboro, NC
5. Debbie Yates, Konnarock, VA

Bluegrass Banjo

1. Stewart Werner III, Rocky Mount, VA
2. Wyatt Bolt, Willis, VA
3. Malachi Bulman, Pinnacle, NC
4. Michael Souther, Statesville, NC
5. Marsha Todd, Mt. Airy, NC

Bluegrass Fiddle

1. Dewey Brown III, Burlington, NC
2. Billy Hawks, Sparta, NC
3. Bethany Prevette, North Wilkesboro, NC
4. David Woodie, Huntersville, NC
5. Elijah Edwards, Mocksville, NC

Old Time Fiddle

1. Adrian Powell, Galax, VA
2. Kevin Fore, Galax, VA
3. Kaley Kyger, Rockingham, VA
4. Wes Coatney, Boone, NC
5. Adam Burrows, Randleman, NC

Old Time Band

1. The Wildcats, Galax, VA
2. New Critter Connection, Konnarock, VA
3. The Hooligans, Galax, VA
4. Southern Pride, Galax, VA
5. Skinny Creek, Pittsboro, NC

Bluegrass Band

1. Granite City Grass, Mt. Airy, NC
2. Pine Swamp Grass, Sparta, NC
3. Mountain Tradition, East Bend, NC
4. New River Line, Woodlawn, VA
5. Troutman Troubadours, Troutman, NC