From Autoharp to Banjo: The 2025 Walnut Valley Festival Champions
(Eight Contests, One Stage, and a Weekend of Unforgettable Picking)
From teenagers to seasoned veterans, this year’s Walnut Valley Festival championships brought fresh talent, repeat champions, international flair, and even a few family rivalries. With talent at every turn, the judges’ job was tough – but at Winfield, the real story is always the camaraderie, where the prizes celebrate the music rather than define it.
International Autoharp Championship
First
Kyle Burke
Championships
International Autoharp Championship –
First Place – 2025
Bio
Kyle Burke of Lincoln, NE, is the 2025 International Autoharp Champion – a remarkable achievement for someone who first picked up the instrument just two years ago. Inspired by drag performer Trixie Mattel and later by Dolly Parton and June Carter Cash, Kyle dove headfirst into the autoharp world after buying his first instrument in 2023. Though he didn’t place at last year’s Walnut Valley contest or at the Mount Laurel Autoharp Gathering, he returned determined – and this time walked away with the top prize.
Kyle’s style leans into simple, folky tunes with a lively, rhythmic bounce. One of his favorites is Wildflowers by Dolly Parton, the first song he ever learned. He credits influences like Heather Berry-Mabe for shaping his sound and admits that mastering the autoharp isn’t easy – those “dead strings” can cause plenty of noise until you learn to control them. Still, his knack for turning those challenges into strengths clearly impressed the judges.
Beyond the competition, Kyle says Winfield is all about the people. From his first visit, he felt welcomed by the kindness and warmth of festival-goers. Though he’s not yet camped on site, he hopes to dive deeper into the jamming and community side of the festival in the future. For Kyle, this win is both a milestone and a starting point on what promises to be an exciting musical journey.
Musician's Links
You Tube:
youtube.com/@AutoharponthePrairie
Listen to Kyle’s Campground Radio Interview
Second
Loriann Clayton-Bethard
Championships
International Autoharp Championship –
Second – 2025, 2024, 2022
Bio
Kansas City’s Loriann Clayton-Bethard has made a habit of finishing strong at Winfield, taking second place this year after also placing in 2022 and 2024. Though the autoharp has been part of her life since childhood – her mother played – Loriann began taking it seriously in 2018 with lessons from Tom Schroeder. Her first contest appearance was in 2019, and she’s been a regular finalist ever since.
Her playing style reflects her roots in southern Manitoba, where she grew up on a farm. She blends traditional and old-time influences with her own unique touch, often accompanying her singing. A signature part of her sound is “padding” with a bare finger rather than a pick, giving her music a softer, more personal tone. Loriann’s arrangements are guided by the keys that suit her voice, making each performance feel both natural and heartfelt.
Music festivals have played a big role in her life – she even met her husband at one nearly 40 years ago. She describes Winfield as a family reunion, where friends reconnect over music, food, and crafts. Outside of performing, Loriann works as a middle school behavior coach, where her students jokingly call her “the warden.” She also plays upright bass, piano, the musical saw, and even washboard – and loves the jamming that follows the contest as much as the competition itself.
Musician's Links
Facebook:
facebook.com/corbinn7/
Instagram:
@commonthreadsband
Third
Michael E. Poole
Championships
International Autoharp Championship –
Third – 2025, 2021, 2017
Bio
Michael Poole of Chapel Hill, NC, has been captivated by the autoharp ever since his third-grade teacher first strummed one in class. Though he played piano as a child, it was the autoharp’s distinctive sound that stuck with him. He bought his first one with his very first paycheck at age 26 and played it for 25 years before moving up to a handcrafted luthier model.
Before retiring, Michael spent 25 years in cancer research and another decade in mental health as a physician associate. These days, he’s all about music – teaching, performing, and traveling to festivals. He has taught at gatherings across the U.S. and even overseas, including the Sore Fingers Summer School in England, where he introduced players to the American old-time approach of combining rhythm and melody in bluegrass and old time music.
Michael has entered the Walnut Valley Festival contest nearly every year since 2016, and this marks his third time placing third. He uses the competition as motivation to expand his skills, working on faster, more chromatic arrangements that keep pushing him forward. Through his website (mepooleautoharp.com), YouTube channel, and teaching, he shares his passion for the instrument and helps new players find their footing.
For Michael, Winfield is both a stage and a touchstone – a place that keeps him inspired and striving for the next level.
Musician's Links
Website:
mepooleautoharp.com/
Finalists
International Finger Style Guitar Championship
First
Hwajong Kim
Championships
International Finger Style Guitar Championship –
First – 2025
Bio
Hwajong Kim of Seoul, South Korea, is the 2025 International Fingerstyle Guitar Champion, fulfilling a dream he has carried for a decade. Kim began playing fingerstyle guitar ten years ago and set his sights on Winfield as the stage to prove himself. After years of practice and developing his own original tunes, he finally stepped into the spotlight – and came away with first place.
Though calm in the days leading up to the contest, Kim admitted the nerves hit him hard on competition day. Even so, his performance stood out with a blend of technical mastery and heartfelt expression. His guitar heroes include Kotaro Oshio, whose videos first inspired him, and Tommy Emmanuel, another Winfield favorite. Back home, Kim works as a professional musician, giving concerts, teaching guitar lessons, and recording with singer-songwriters in studio sessions.
This was his very first trip to Winfield, and he says he still “can’t believe” the win is real. For Kim, the honor is not just a title, but a milestone marking years of dedication – and the beginning of new opportunities as a world champion.
Musician's Links
Instagram
instagram.com/hwajong_k/?hl=en
YouTube
youtube.com/@hwajongkim8718
Listen to Hwajong’s Campground Radio Interview
Second
Chang Chun-Lin
Championships
International Finger Style Guitar Championship –
Second – 2025, Third 2016
Bio
Chun-Lin Chang of Taipei, Taiwan, made his third trip to Winfield this year and earned his best finish yet – second place. He first competed in Kansas several years ago, finishing third, and now adds a second-place trophy to his growing list of accomplishments.
A professional guitarist, Chang performs concerts throughout China, Japan and Taiwan. Though he tours internationally, he says his favorite place to play is still back home in Taiwan. He cites Stephen Bennett as one of his guitar idols and was thrilled to meet him for the first time at Winfield this year.
When he’s not performing, Chang keeps active on social media, sharing music through Instagram (@changchunglin) and Facebook. This time around, his family stayed home in Taiwan – his wife, young daughter, and one-year-old son – but he admits he missed them greatly during the trip.
Focused solely on fingerstyle guitar, Chang continues to push his artistry forward. His consistency at Winfield shows his determination, and his warm, modest personality made him a favorite among festival-goers as well.
Musician's Links
Third
Brandon Green
Championships
International Finger Style Guitar Championship –
Third – 2025
Bio
Brandon Green of Beckley, WV, claimed third place in the fingerstyle guitar championship – a relatively new direction for a musician who has long been better known as a banjo player.
Green taught in East Tennessee State University’s bluegrass program for over a decade before a career change took him on the road as a truck driver. Now back home in West Virginia, he teaches in his own studio and performs with his family band. In fact, Winfield has become a family tradition: his children are now competing too, with his 12-year-old set to enter the mandolin contest this year.
Though he only began exploring fingerstyle guitar seriously three years ago, Green’s progress has been impressive. Inspired by Tommy Emmanuel – whose music he often listened to on long drives with his sons – Green now arranges both traditional tunes and modern fingerstyle pieces. His contest set included gospel songs like He Looked Beyond My Fault and Wayfaring Stranger, along with Tommy Emmanuel’s Lewis & Clark.
Brandon says the level of talent at the Walnut Valley Festival is both overwhelming and inspiring, pushing him to keep learning. For him and his family, the Festival is more than a competition – it’s a vacation, a homeschool adventure, and a chance to share music together on one of the most storied stages in acoustic music.
Musician's Links
Finalists
Adam Cantor
Houston, TX
National Mountain Dulcimer Championship
First
Aaron Thornton
Championships
National Mountain Dulcimer Championship
First – 2025
Second – 2008, Third – 2009, 2007
Bio
Aaron Thornton of Bay St. Louis, MS, captured the 2025 National Mountain Dulcimer Championship at the Walnut Valley Festival, finally achieving a goal he has been chasing for years.
Thornton has been competing off and on since the mid-2000s, with past finishes including second and third, but this marked his first win. He admits he was surprised when his name was the last one called, especially since he hadn’t been able to practice as much as he’d hoped leading up to the contest.
Thornton’s musical journey began when his uncle, a dulcimer builder, introduced him to the instrument. Within days, he was playing tunes by ear – a natural gift he attributes to a family full of musicians. Over the years, he has recorded one album and while he can dabble on guitar and mandolin, the dulcimer is where his heart lies.
When he isn’t playing music, Thornton works as a Walmart manager, and he says the dulcimer provides him with both relaxation and joy. At Winfield, he especially values the diversity of players – the way everyone brings their own style to the same instrument, making jam sessions feel both fresh and connected. For Thornton, finally holding the championship trophy is a dream realized, and a reminder of the persistence it takes to reach the top.
Musician's Links
None
Listen to Aaron’s Campground Radio Interview
Second
Elijah Wright
Championships
National Mountain Dulcimer Championship
Second – 2025
Bio
Elijah Wright of Kennard, TX, turned heads by earning second place in the Mountain Dulcimer Championship – at just 14 years old.
Coming from a long line of dulcimer players, Elijah follows in the footsteps of his father, a former national champion, and his grandmother, who also placed at Winfield. This year marked only his second time entering the contest.
Elijah has been playing the dulcimer for about four years, developing his style with guidance from family and his own musical instincts. He also plays bass and is learning fiddle, showing a broad interest in traditional string instruments. When preparing for Winfield, he says he doesn’t usually practice every day, but he ramped up his focus the week before the contest. His arrangements, influenced by favorites like Stephen Seifert and Don Pedi, are already earning him recognition on the national stage.
Though this was his first placement at Winfield, Elijah is eager for more – even joking that he hopes his Dad doesn’t compete next year, since that might improve his chances at the top prize. Beyond the stage, he says his favorite part of the Festival was simply exploring the campgrounds and soaking in the atmosphere. His youth, talent, and family tradition make him one to watch in future years.
Musician's Links
None
Third
Keith Reynolds
Championships
National Mountain Dulcimer Championship
Third – 2025, Second – 2017
Bio
Keith Reynolds of Labette City, KS, secured third place this year, adding to a long history of competing at the Walnut Valley Festival. Having entered the dulcimer contest for nearly two decades, Reynolds has placed in the top five multiple times, including a previous second-place finish. This year, “three” seemed to be his lucky number – he performed third in each round and ended up with a third-place finish, a fact he found both amusing and fitting.
By trade, Reynolds runs a heating and air conditioning company, but his passion lies in music. He owns more than a dozen dulcimers and has even added a “lap-jo” – a dulcimer fitted with a banjo head – to his collection. Though he has played for only about 19 years, he has embraced the instrument wholeheartedly, often practicing in a dedicated music room at home.
Reynolds appreciates the encouragement and camaraderie he’s found at Winfield over the years, noting how supportive fellow musicians were even when he was just starting out. His performances this year included heartfelt traditional tunes, and he continues to enjoy sharing his music in both church and community settings. For Reynolds, Winfield has become both a personal tradition and a stage where his persistence pays off.
Musician's Links
None
Finalist
David Kerwood
Arkansas City, KS
National Mandolin Championship
First
Carl Miner
Championships
National Mandolin Championship
First – 2025
National Guitar Flat Pick Championship
First – 2025, 1999
Second – 2007, 1998
Bio
Carl Miner of Nashville, TN, took home the National Mandolin Championship at the Walnut Valley Festival. Miner has been a fixture at Winfield for years, previously competing in guitar contests (including a past flat-picking title), but said he was both grateful and a little shocked to finally earn the mandolin crown.
A professional musician and studio player in Nashville, Miner has recorded with artists ranging from Taylor Swift and Kenny Chesney to Rascal Flatts and even on Disney films. Still, he says Winfield provides a rare chance to push himself technically in ways studio work doesn’t demand. He calls the mandolin one of the most beautiful and haunting instruments and cites Chris Thile and Sam Bush as early influences.
For Miner, the best part of the contest is the community spirit – musicians supporting each other even as they compete. He described it as “the best of tough love and kind love,” a hallmark of the Winfield atmosphere. Walking away with the title felt surreal, but Miner says it will inspire him to keep practicing and growing.
Musician's Links
Listen to Carl’s Campground Radio Interview
Second
Gordon Parker
Championships
National Mandolin Championship
Second – 2025, 2024, 2023
Bio
Gordon Parker of Mountain View, AR, earned second place for the third straight year – and he’s just fine with it. A student at Bethel University in Tennessee, Parker is studying music production while also working toward a trade in plumbing, joking that he wants to “make it in both.” Outside school, he tours with his band Sylamore Special, which recently toured in Ireland.
Parker plays multiple instruments, including bass, fiddle, piano, and guitar, but mandolin has become his primary contest instrument. Though still young, he’s already a seasoned competitor at Winfield and says he enjoys returning each year, cash prize or not. His down-to-earth humor and passion for bluegrass have made him a fan favorite, and he’s quick to credit his fellow contestants as friends as much as rivals.
Social media is where Parker shares much of his music (@gordonparkermusic on Instagram), and he hopes to expand into YouTube soon. For him, the Walnut Valley Festival is both a proving ground and a place to reconnect with friends and mentors in the acoustic music world.
Musician's Links
Instagram
@gordonparkermusic
Third
Myles Thompson
Championships
National Mandolin Championship
Third – 2025
Second – 2015
Bio
Myles Thompson of Nashville, TN, earned third place in this year’s National Mandolin Championship, marking his return to the Walnut Valley Festival stage after a decade away. He previously competed in Winfield about ten years ago, finishing second and winning the Collings mandolin he brought back to the contest this year. His playing reflects years of experience across instruments – mandolin, fiddle, and guitar – and a deep connection to acoustic music traditions.
Outside of competition, Thompson runs a successful business in Nashville while still keeping music at the center of his life. He tours selectively and records with a variety of projects, drawing on his versatility and strong command of multiple instruments. His catalog includes work on albums like Road Runner, 21st Century Man, and Crossing the Mojave, which showcase his wide-ranging influences.
Music has always been part of Thompson’s world, thanks in part to performing and recording with his father, award-winning guitarist Tim Thompson. The two spent years on the road together, sometimes playing over 100 shows annually, and still perform as a duo under the name “Tim and Myles Thompson.”
For Myles, Winfield is about more than competition – it’s about reconnecting with a community he has been part of for more than 20 years. He and his family camp each year with longtime friends at “Camp Dysfunction,” making the Festival as much a family reunion as a contest.
Musician's Links
Finalists
Alex Hawf
Eureka Springs, AR
Roman Counterman
Cincinnati, OH
Walnut Valley Old Time Fiddle Championship
First
Josh Wills
Championships
Walnut Valley Old Time Fiddle Championship
First – 2025
Bio
Josh Wills of Checotah, OK, rose to the top of the Walnut Valley Old Time Fiddle Championship, making the most of just his second trip to Winfield. Only 15 years old, Wills has been playing fiddle for about five years, inspired after hearing old-time music at a festival in his home state. Since then, he’s immersed himself in traditional tunes, blending rhythm-driven bowing and danceable energy into his playing.
This year’s win came after placing first in the junior division at the Appalachian String Band Music Festival, better known as Clifftop, earlier in the summer, a milestone that re-sparked his interest in contests. He credits his mentor, past Winfield champion Rinn Netherton, with guiding him toward contest-ready arrangements. Wills admits he still gets nervous before stepping on stage, but says once he settled in, his final celebration tune was the most fun to play.
Homeschooled, he balances schoolwork with music opportunities, sometimes traveling to play dances and events. He’s active on social media under “Josh Wills Music” and says his biggest inspiration among today’s players are The Onlies, a young string band he follows closely. Beyond the stage, his favorite part of the Festival is the nonstop campground jamming – a chance to connect, learn, and swap tunes with players of all levels.
Musician's Links
Facebook
Josh Wills Music
Listen to Josh’s Campground Radio Interview
Second
Mary Parker
Championships
Walnut Valley Old Time Fiddle Championship
Second – 2025
Bio
Mary Parker of Mountain View, AR, claimed second place in her second appearance at the Old Time Fiddle Championship. A longtime fiddler – she’s been playing since age five – Parker is now a college student at Bethel University in Tennessee, where she’s pursuing a degree in music production and plays with the Renaissance Bluegrass Band.
She grew up in a musical family and credits her father’s love of old country and bluegrass for sparking her own interest in the fiddle. Starting with Appalachian and traditional bluegrass styles, she has since branched into Texas-style fiddling and beyond. Parker says she didn’t expect a second-place finish and was simply grateful to be back on the Winfield stage, noting she learns more with each contest.
Alongside her studies, Parker performs with her brother in the bluegrass band Sylamore Special, which already has a debut album streaming online. She’s active on social media as Mary Parker Music, where she shares performances, recordings, and band updates. At the Festival, she values the chance to see familiar faces, share tunes, and celebrate the supportive spirit that defines the contest atmosphere.
Musician's Links
Facebook
Mary Parker Music
Third
Amanda Grapes Dellinger
Championships
Walnut Valley Old Time Fiddle Championship
Third – 2025
Second – 2022
Bio
Amanda Grapes Dellinger (@agdfiddler) of South Salt Lake, UT, secured third place, continuing her streak of top finishes at the Walnut Valley Festival. She first competed here a decade ago and has since become a familiar face in the contest, previously placing in the top five and finishing second before this year’s third-place result.
Dellinger tours widely as a member of Pixie and the Partygrass Boys, a high-energy band blending bluegrass, rock, and jam-band vibes. Their recent travels included a European tour with stops in the Netherlands and Norway, with Alaska on the schedule for later this year. Though fiddle is her contest focus, she also plays other instruments and has recently taken up hammer dulcimer.
Originally from Kentucky, Dellinger moved west for love – and stayed for the skiing. She describes herself as a “winter person” and jokes about the sleepless summer nights in Norway when daylight never ends. Despite the whirlwind of touring, she says Winfield remains one of her favorite places: a welcoming community where people can be their authentic selves. For her, it’s a space to recharge, jam with friends, and reconnect with the roots of acoustic music.
Musician's Links
Finalists
Hansen Doucette
Waller, TX
National Guitar Flat Pick Championship
First
Second
Third
Carl Miner
Adam Shier
Jakob Thomas
Championships
National Guitar Flat Pick Championship
First – 2025, 1999
Second – 2007, 1998
National Mandolin Championship
First – 2025
Bio
Carl Miner of Nashville, TN, made history at the 2025 Walnut Valley Festival by
capturing two national titles in the same year. After winning the National Mandolin
Championship, Miner returned the next day to also take the National Flat Pick Guitar
Championship – a contest he previously won back in the late 1990s.
This year, Miner leaned into his own musical voice, performing original compositions
that highlighted both his technical command and creative expression. Known for his
versatility, he says Winfield gave him the opportunity to reconnect with the pure joy of
playing – and to push himself in ways he doesn’t always get to in the studio or on tour.
While the nerves of competition never quite go away, Miner has learned to manage
them by staying relaxed and present, allowing his music to speak naturally. He
treasures the Festival’s tradition of campground jams just as much as the contests,
saying it’s both humbling and inspiring to trade tunes with so many talented players.
By adding a second flat pick title to his resume – and earning two championships in a
single year – Miner reinforced his place in the Festival’s storied history, while reminding
himself and others why Winfield continues to be the heart of acoustic music.
Musician's Links
Please check back to listen to Carl’s Campground Radio Interview.
Championships
National Guitar Flat Pick Championship
Second – 2025
Bio
Adam Shier of Toronto, ON, Canada, made his second trip to Winfield count, taking
home second place in the National Flat Pick Guitar Championship. He first competed in
2024 but didn’t place; this year, his persistence paid off.
Shier has been playing guitar since age seven and turned to bluegrass and flat picking
in his late teens. Though he has toured widely with bands like The Tone Rangers and
Andrew Collins Trio, he now balances music with a day job as a brewmaster at
Silversmith Brewing Company. Music is still central to his life: he tours, records, and
plays weekly gigs in Toronto while keeping contests like Winfield as a personal
challenge.
This year, Shier teamed up with fellow Canadian James Kilby, who also landed in the
top five, marking a strong showing for Ontario players. He says Winfield is a refreshing break from city life, praising both the caliber of musicians and the supportive spirit of the
Festival. For Shier, the contest is as much about fun and inspiration as it is about trophies.
Musician's Links
Championships
National Guitar Flat Pick Championship
Third – 2025
Bio
Jakob Thomas of South Charleston, WV, earned third place in his third appearance at
the National Flat Pick Guitar Championship.
A cardiovascular tech at CAMC by day,
Thomas has been playing guitar since age three, starting with blues and electric before
diving into flat picking around 2018. Inspired by legends like Doc Watson and Tony Rice,
he says a summer spent learning along with the Doc Watson/Chet Atkins Reflections
album pushed him firmly into the flat pick tradition.
Thomas enjoys the thrill of contests, saying they keep him motivated to practice and
improve. He placed in the top five in 2024 and moved up to third this year, a result he
says he’s proud of. His set included traditional tunes and highlighted his clean, driving
style.
Outside contests, Thomas plays with local bands Bronco Junction and Chucktown All
Stars, and he recently released a duet album, City Avenue, with mandolinist Chandler
Beavers.
A new father, he brought his baby daughter along to Winfield this year – joking
that he hopes she’ll pick up the fiddle one day. For Thomas, Winfield is not only a competition but also a family tradition in the making.
Finalists
Hayes Griffin
Columbus, OH
James Kilby
Toronto Ontario, Canada
National Hammer Dulcimer Championship
First
Luke Vanderveer
Championships
National Hammer Dulcimer Championship
First – 2025
Bio
Luke Vanderveer of North Richland Hills, TX, captured the 2025 National Hammer
Dulcimer Championship at the Walnut Valley Festival, a title he first dreamed about
when he competed here as a nine-year-old. Now 21, Vanderveer has been playing the dulcimer for 14 years, inspired by a circle of mentors that includes Dana Hamilton,
David Lindsey, and Bill Spence. He also performs with his brothers in the Vanderveer Brothers String Band, which has released three albums.
Vanderveer admits the contest nerves were real, but says years of arranging and
directing music at his church helped him push through. He highlighted an Irish favorite, Frank’s Reel, as the centerpiece of his set – a tune he says challenged him technically but also let him showcase his dynamics and phrasing.
Camping with friends near longtime champion Hamilton, Vanderveer says the Festival community provided encouragement throughout the week. He values Winfield not just
as a contest but as a place where old friends and new acquaintances share in the joy of acoustic music.
Musician's Links
Please check back to listen to Luke's championship interview.
Second
Robert Miller
Championships
National Hammer Dulcimer Championship
Second – 2025
Second – 2022
Bio
Robert Miller of Pittsburgh, PA, earned second place in his fifth appearance at the
Hammer Dulcimer Championship. He also placed second in 2022 and a finalist in 2024, steadily climbing the ranks.
Miller, a music therapist by profession, coordinates a
Creative Expressive Arts Therapy department at an inpatient psychiatric hospital, where
he uses music daily to support patients’ wellbeing.
Miller has played the dulcimer for just under eight years, after first encountering the
instrument at a Renaissance Festival. Though he plays piano, percussion, and guitar, the dulcimer became his passion, leading him to contests across the country. He has won at the Dulcimer Jamboree and placed at the Texas state contest.
He and his wife run Music4Life of Pittsburgh, producing albums and relaxation music with harp, dulcimer, flutes, and percussion. He also plays in Steve and the Millers, an
ambient improvisational group.
Miller says Winfield feels like family, with the dulcimer community especially supportive – a welcome contrast to the competitive atmosphere of
his university music training.
Third
Clifford White
Championships
National Hammer Dulcimer Championship
Third – 2025
Bio
Clifford White of Jefferson City, MO, claimed third place in his fourth trip to the Hammer Dulcimer Championship.
A recently retired communications professional with the
Missouri Department of Conservation, White first discovered the dulcimer in the 1990s at the Big Muddy Folk Festival, where he was captivated by the late Cathy Barton’s playing. He later sought out Barton and her husband, Dave Para, as mentors while developing his own style.
Though this is his first time placing, White has been a finalist in past years. He also plays with the River Ridge String Band, a family-and-friends ensemble, and is working on a new duo project with his wife, who plays banjo and cello.
White has been attending Winfield for 23 years and says the jamming is his favorite part, especially with old-time players at Greenleaf Camp. He also camps with Kite Camp
and enjoys singing and playing guitar and mountain dulcimer alongside his hammer dulcimer. For him, finally placing in the top three is a gratifying milestone after years of
dedication.
Musician's Links
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Finalists
Frank Tadeo
Santa Fe, NM
National Bluegrass Banjo Championship
First
Steven Moore
Championships
National Bluegrass Banjo Championship
First – 2025, 2015, 2008
Second – 2024, 2022
Third – 2023, 2006
Bio
Steven Moore of St. Clairsville, OH, claimed his third National Bluegrass Banjo Championship at the Walnut Valley Festival in 2025. A veteran of contests since his teens, Moore admits that even after decades of playing, sitting in the hot seat at Winfield is a unique kind of pressure. He felt unsure after a couple of flubs in the finals, but the judges saw enough to give him the edge – and the Deering Calico 5-String
Banjo as his prize.
Moore has been playing since he was eight years old and now performs regularly with the David Mayfield Parade, which released Go Big and Go Home in May 2025.
Off stage, he works in industrial hygiene for a natural gas and electric distribution company,
balancing a day job with his passion for music. He credits his Ohio roots for shaping his sound, even though he jokes the state isn’t exactly a bluegrass hotbed.
Beyond the competition, Moore says what he loves most is connecting with audiences and fellow musicians. He describes the Winfield community as one where friendships matter as much as trophies, and says every time he returns, it feels like home under the
parachute in Pecan Grove.
Musician's Links
Please check back to listen to Steven's championship interview.
Second
Brian Anderson
Championships
National Bluegrass Banjo Championship
Second – 2025
First – 2005
Bio
Brian Anderson of Rancho Cordova, CA, made a triumphant return to Winfield by earning second place – 20 years after first winning the national title in 2005. At age 66, Anderson says the contest still motivates him to practice year-round, giving him a goal that keeps his playing sharp and inspired.
Anderson started banjo at 17, drawn in by Earl Scruggs records, and has entered the
contest four times: one first-place finish, this year’s second, and two non-placements.
Now retired from running his own window and gutter cleaning business, he plays purely for the joy and challenge.
He favors Scruggs and melodic styles, blending them into arrangements he works and refines throughout the year. His approach is methodical, stripping out passages he
knows won’t land well under pressure and doubling down on the ones he can deliver
with confidence. Anderson says that process, along with the thrill of sharing the stage with other skilled players, is what keeps him coming back.
Musician's Links
Third
Joey Gipson
Championships
National Bluegrass Banjo Championship
Third – 2025, 2024,2014
Bio
Joey Gipson of Manchester, TN, placed third – the third time he’s earned a third-place finish at the National Bluegrass Banjo Championship.
A truck driver by trade, Gipson says the contest is a highlight of his year, and he’s perfectly happy with a top-three spot if it means he gets to come back the following September.
Gipson has been playing for 35 years and performs at shows and contests whenever his schedule allows. He’s also stepping into a new role as a contest organizer, launching the Southeast Bluegrass Banjo Championship at a brewery in his hometown.
With strong support from sponsors like Deering and Gold Tone, the event promises cash prizes, instrument giveaways, and a growing platform for young players.
Though his recording output has been quiet since 2014, Gipson plans to get back into the studio this fall. For him, Winfield remains the gold standard of contests, a place where he can test his skills, meet up with friends, and carry home both inspiration and motivation for the year ahead.
Musician's Links
Finalists
Jason Bales
Gatlinberg, TN
