2025 Champion Showcase Concert Performances

The 2025 Champion Showcase Concert was one for the record books. The show started off with Winfield Mayor, Ron Hutto, dedicating Stage III, honoring Rick Meyer, a city employee and festival coordinator who worked tirelessly for all who enjoyed festivities at the Fairgrounds.

Emily Johson-Erday, the first ever Master Songsmith started the music performing her winning song, “Oil & Ore”. It is a powerful song reminding us of the true cost of profits.  Emily then performed her song “If I am Wrong” which captures her thoughts and feelings about the land where she grew up.

Susan Baker, 2024 National Hammer Dulcimer Champion, sang and played her hammer dulcimer capturing our hearts with her performance. Branden Green, 2024 National Bluegrass Banjo Champion, with his family band, Strings of Green, reassured us that bluegrass music is in good hands and looking to the future. Matthew Hathaway, 2024 & 2017 National Mountain Dulcimer Champion, showed us why he was on the stage with the champions. Solly Burton, 2024, 2018, 2011, 2007 National Mandolin Champion, brought along his buddies from the Pickin’ Parlor for a great show. Jason Shaw, 2024, 2018, 2011, 2008, 1991 Walnut Valley Old Time Fiddle Champion showed us why he is the most awarded fiddle competitor around.  To round out the show, Walnut Valley’s favorite finger style guitar player, Stephen Bennett, 2024 International Finger Style Guitar Champion, showed us that retirement can not keep him out of the race.

The music was great and the excitement was high to begin the 53rd Walnut Valley Festival.  Be sure to watch the videos of your champions below.