RIPPLE/Lindsay Craven

Adam Larkey, 15 years old and resident of Johnson City, TN, swept this year’s junior competition. Larkey won first place in the junior’s blue grass and old time fiddle and junior mandolin. He won second place in junior guitar. Larkey has been playing for nine years and this was his first year at the Yadkin Valley Bluegrass Convention. “It’s been really fun,” Larkey said. “I’ve really had a blast.”

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RIPPLE/Lindsay Craven

Wayne Jordan, a resident of Meadows of Dan, VA, received first place in the senior dulcimer competition.

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RIPPLE/Lindsay Craven

Allie Wood competes in the junior vocal competition. Wood was the youngest contestant at the convention this year at only eight years old. Wood went on to win first place in the junior acoustic bass competition.

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RIPPLE/Lindsay Craven

The 27^th Yadkin Valley Bluegrass Convention took place at Yadkinville Elementary School April 20 and 21. The event kicked off with a Friday night performance by Bobby Osborne, formerly of the Osborne Brothers. Hundreds of hopeful musicians came out to compete in several vocal, instrumental and band competitions on Saturday.

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RIPPLE/Lindsay Craven

Adam Larkey, Sarah Grace Larkey and Nicholas Seymour play a tune together in between competitions. Adam won several awards throughout the convention and Sarah Grace took home first place for junior vocals after performing Allison Krauss’ hit song ‘When You Say Nothing At All.’ Seymour won second place in the junior vocals competition and third place in the junior guitar competition.

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RIPPLE/Lindsay Craven

A group of musicians gathered in the halls of Yadkinville Elementary for an impromptu jam session on Saturday. Music filled the halls of the school throughout the day as classrooms were transformed into practice rooms between performances.

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RIPPLE/Lindsay Craven

Bobbby Osborne signs a fan’s mandolin at Third Branch Cafe on April 20. Osborne met with fans at Third Branch from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. prior to his performance at Yadkinville Elementary that night. Osborne has been a major player in the bluegrass music scene for 63 years. He and his brother gained national recognition with their hit song “Rocky Top.”

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RIPPLE/Lindsay Craven

Osborne performs at Yadkinville Elementary School on April 20. Osborne played old and new songs throughout his two 45 minute sets on Friday night. His performance of the Osborne Brothers’ hit song “Rocky Top’ prompted audience members to hop to their feet and dance at the stage.

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Contest Winners:

Bluegrass Band

First Place: Stoney Ridge from Rural Hall

Second Place: Adam McPeak & Mountain Thunder from Max Meadows, VA

Third Place: Mountain Rain from Elkin

Fourth Place: Destination Bluegrass Band from Mocksville

Fifth Place: Tight Wire from Mocksville

Old-Time Band

First Place: Mountain Park Old-Time Band from State Road

Second Place: Cool Springs Ramblers from Walkertown

Third Place: Back-Step from Mount Airy

Fourth Place: Slate Mountain Ramblers from Mount Airy

Senior Bluegrass Fiddle

First Place: John Hofmann from Thomasville

Second Place: Crystal Shipley from Kingsport, TN

Third Place: Debbie Gitlin from Walkertown

Junior Bluegrass Fiddle

First Place: Adam Larkey from Erwin, TN

Second Place: Tanner Henson from Asheboro

Senior Old-Time Fiddle

First Place: Debbie Gitlin from Walkertown

Second Place: Nick McMillian from Mount Airy

Third Place: Richard Bowman from Mount Airy

Junior Old-Time Fiddle

First Place: Adam Larkey from Erwin, TN

Senior Bluegrass Banjo

First Place: Jody King from Ararat, VA

Second Place: Jimmy Paschal from Yadkinville

Third Place: Tommy Chandler from Mocksville

Junior Bluegrass Banjo

First Place: Cole Shores from Hamptonville

Senior Old-Time Banjo

First Place: Marsha Todd from Mount Airy

Second Place: Kelley Breiding from Mount Airy

Third Place: Michael Motley from Kernersville

Junior Old-Time Banjo

First Place: Cole Shores from Hamptonville

Senior Mandolin

First Place: Connor Lambert from Troutman

Second Place: Adam McPeak from Max Meadow, VA

Third Place: Chase Johner from Ararat, VA

Junior Mandolin

First Place: Adam Larkey from Erwin, TN

Second Place: Jake King from Ararat, VA

Third Place: Sarah Grace Larkey from Erwin, TN

Senior Guitar

First Place: John Marler from Statesville

Second Place: Jody King from Ararat, VA

Third Place: Steve Kilby from Mouth of Wilson, VA

Junior Guitar

First Place: Jeffrey Roten from Ennice

Second Place: Adam Larkey from Erwin, TN

Third Place: Nicholas Seymore from Lenoir

Senior Acoustic Bass

First Place: John Fogleman from Burlington

Second Place: Jerry Steinberg from Salem, VA

Third Place: Kayla King from Ararat, VA

Junior Acoustic Bass

First Place: Allie Wood from Elkin

Senior Dobro

First Place: Jody King from Ararat, VA

Senior Dulcimer

First Place: Wayne Jordan from Meadows of Dan, VA

Senior Vocal

First Place: Keith Souther from Mocksville

Second Place: Scott Seymour from Lenoir

Third Place: Julie Johnson from Union Grove

Junior Vocal

First Place:Sarah Grace Larkey from Erwin, TN

Second Place: Nicholas Seymour from Lenoir

Third Place: Adam Larkey from Erwin, TN