The fifth annual Hammons Family Fiddle & Banjo Contest + World Class Jam brought old-time and bluegrass music to Marlinton on Sept. 25-26. Saturday’s contests at the Pocahontas County Opera House recognized the following players:
Bluegrass Banjo: 1st Stephen Halterman; 2nd Jake Stover; 3rd Robert Russell
Old-Time Banjo: 1st Steven Casto; 2nd Trevor Hammons; 3rd Johanna Wacker; 4th Stephen McCue; 5th Norman Casseday
Old-Time Fiddle: 1st Jake Krack; 2nd Stavros Calos; 3rd Hollace Oakes; 4th Emily Miller; 5th Vernon Casseday
Bluegrass Fiddle: 1st Hollace Oakes; 2nd Jesse Milnes; 3rd Robert Russell; 4th Mike Hammers.
First place in each contest carried a $500 prize, second place $200 and third place $100. Ribbons recognized additional placements.
The weekend began with a Friday square dance. Saturday’s program featured Becky Buller & Ned Luberecki, the Bing Brothers featuring Jake Krack, the Black Mountain Bluegrass Boys, Tessa McCoy & the State Birds, Mudhole Control, Kanawha Tradition and the Hunter Berry Band. Musicians also gathered for the World Class Jam around downtown Marlinton.
The event honors the Hammons family’s musical legacy and the tradition of passing tunes from one player to another. More information is available at HammonsFiddleBanjo.com
