2007 Jimmy Edmonds Homecoming and Youth Competition

Bluegrass musician’s history, concerts, events in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia

The 2nd Annual Jimmy Edmonds Homecoming Concert and Youth Competition was held on Saturday, July 14, 2007 at The Blue Ridge Music Center located on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Galax, VA.

Twenty-three contestants from Virginia and North Carolina took the stage for their 3 minute performance of songs like Blackberry Blossom, Fire on the Mountain, Leather Britches, and many other familiar old-time tunes.

All of the contestants went home with participatio ribbons and at least thirteen took home some pretty nifty prizes, says Program Coordinator Debbie Robinson. We were able to make some nice additions this year including an extra category. We not only had the Grand Prizes which are what we think are the best prizes awarded at any competition. Of course we're talking about the handmade instruments to include the fiddle by Jimmy Edmonds, the guitar by Wayne Henderson, the mandolin by Anderson-Strickland.

Due to a contribution by D'Addario Foundation for the Performing Arts we were allowed to give 2nd and 3rd place prizes to include cash and instrument supplies such as tuners and a variety of useful items.

This year's competition had some outstanding performers ranging from age 8 to 15. Two of the top place awards went to siblings, Zeb Snyder age 12 took home the Henderson guitar and his younger sister, Samantha Snyder age 8 proudly took the Grand Prize Fiddle. Zeb and Samantha are from Lexington, North Carolina.

Other Grand Prize winners were Ben Hill from Galax, VA in the mandolin competition, Chris Johnson of Sparta, North Carolina took home the banjo contributed by Barrs Fiddle Shop and Hannah and Laurel Brooke from Willis Virginia won the grand prize of $200 cash for their twin fiddle performance in the new Variety Category.

This event is one that we hope to continue for many years to come. We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Jimmy Edmonds and his family and also to the other instrument makers who so generously participated in this event.

This event is creating a positive and long lasting difference in the lives of our youth. We have the instructors and families of the youth to thank for working with and encouraging the kids. This is not only providing valuable education it is also continuing the flow of musicians who will perpetuate the tradition of string music in Southwestern Virginia and Northwestern North Carolina.