Competitions set for Silver Dollar City

Silver Dollar CityThe music competitions for the 2012 Silver Dollar City Bluegrass & BBQ Festival in Branson, MO are set, with bands lined up to give it their best shot during the three week event, which runs from May 10 to Junes 3.

First up, May 19-20, the Silver Dollar City’s Opera House Theater hosts the Sixth Annual Single Microphone Championship, which recognizes bluegrass bands who work the one mic in the old time way. $4000 will be split among the top three finishers.

The contestants for 2012 are:

  • Brightwater Junction – Cassville, MO
  • Charlie and the Girls – Union Grove, IL
  • Driven – Wichita, KS
  • Flint Hill Rambers – Siloam Springs, AR
  • The Haining Family – Branson, MO
  • I-35 Express – Cameron, MO
  • Lonesome Meadow – Weseterville, OH
  • The Mississippi Sawyers  – St. Louis, MO
  • New Dogs Old Tricks – Joplin, MO
  • The Petersens – Branson, MO
  • The Pickin’ Chicks – New Athens, IL
  • Pocket Hollow Band – Gainsville, MO
  • Sherman Mountain Boys – Jasper, AR
  • Treblemakers – Wichita, KS

Then May 26-27 the KSMU Youth in Bluegrass Band Contest takes place at the Opera House. This competition is open to musicians 21 years or younger, with total prize money of $4000 to be awarded.

Invited to compete this year are:

  • Amber Waves Band – Fort Lupton, CO
  • The Baker Family – Birch Tree, MO
  • Barbedwire and Lipgloss – Belleville, IL
  • The Bluegrass Blondies – Ottumwa, IA
  • Bost Family Traditions – Bisbee, AZ
  • The Burie Family – New Berlin, WI
  • Charlie and The Girls – Ellis Grove, IL
  • Farnum Family – Galena, MO
  • The Haining Family – Branson, MO
  • Lindley Creek – Lebanon, MO
  • The Petersens – Branson, MO
  • Pickin’ Chicks – New Anthens, IL
  • Prairie Fire – Ponca City, OK
  • River Berry Players – Richland, MO
  • Sherman Mountain Boys – Jasper, AR
  • Smith Family Band – Robbins, NC
  • WMD Bluegrass Band – Colorado Springs, CO
  • The Worthing10s Bluegrass Band – Sparta, IL
  • Young Family Band – Guthrie, OK
  • The Zepp Family Band – East Texas, PA

The Bluegrass & BBQ Festival was recognized in 2011 as the IBMA’s Bluegrass Event of the Year. What makes this festival unique is the fact that it runs for 24 straight days, with performers changing out every day or two.

Get full details online.

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About the Author

John Lawless

John had served as primary author and editor for The Bluegrass Blog from its launch in 2006 until being folded into Bluegrass Today in September of 2011. He continues in that capacity here, managing a strong team of columnists and correspondents.