GRANITE QUARRY — The 48th Annual Granite Quarry Civitan Fiddler’s Convention showcased both veteran and up-and-coming musicians Saturday night at East Rowan High School.
In addition, Carrie Ezelle Webster of Faith, a veteran fiddle player and teacher of traditional music, was honored for her dedicated service in the field of old time bluegrass music.
Saturday’s performers competed for $1,700 in cash prizes, trophies and ribbons offered in a number of categories.
Vivian Hopkins of Gold Hill served as master of ceremonies. Jarvis Knight, Mitch Knight and Jimmy Burris served as judges. Mary Wagner served as scorekeeper. John Walser is the Granite Quarry Civitan president.
The convention raised $7,000 for the Civitan Club, which is the biggest fundraiser of the year.
The money raised from admissions and sale of food goes to support community projects, including Junior Civitan, Good Citizen Awards, scholarships, Special Olympics, Victory Junction Gang Camp, East Rowan High, Ervin Middle and Granite Quarry Elementary schools.
The top bands, individual winners and most promising talent were:
— Bands —
Champion – Movin’ On Blue Grass, of Mocksville
First runner-up – New High Country Boys, of Union Grove
Second runner-up – Gaining Ground, of Mocksville
Third runner-up – Five Mile Creek, of Charlotte
— Banjo —
Champion – Charles Honeycutt, of Concord
First runner-up – Danny Bowers, of Union Grove
Second runner-up – David Smith, of Charlotte
— Guitar —
Champion – Terry Smith, of New London
First runner-up – Howard Blackwelder, of Concord
Second runner-up – Danny Casstevens, of Mocksville
— Mandolin —
Champion – Jeff Michael – of Union Grove
First runner-up – Randy Whitley, of Rockwell
Second runner-up – Andy Williams, of Mocksville
— Bass —
Champion – Rick Blackwelder, of Concord
First runner-up – Will Thrailkill, of Mount Ulla
Second runner-up – Larry Dickenson, of Charlotte
— Dobro —
Champion – Robert Ellis, of Mocksville
First runner-up — Wayne A Williams Sr., of Mocksville
— Vocal —
Champion – Madaline Baucom, of Monroe
First Runner-up – Daniel Thrailkill, of Mt. Ulla
Second runner-up — Wayne Burgess, of Peachland
— Most promising talent – ages 11 and under —
Champion – Grace & Gabriel Bemus – of Salisbury
First runner-up – Byan Lackey – of Thomasville
Second runner-up – Gabriel Webster – of Faith
— Most promising talent – ages 12-16 —
Champion – Tanner Carrick – of Albemarle
First runner-up – Courtney Perry – of Stanfield
Second runner-up – Elizabeth Guinn – of Salisbury