Flagstaff’s Pickin’ In The Pines Contests Help Pave The Way for Bigger Trophies!

Well it’s happened again and if this type of thing continues, Flagstaff, AZ’s Pickin’ In The Pines Bluegrass and Acoustic Music Festival is going to get a reputation as THE PLACE TO PLAY for young upstart bands.

Last year we were absolutely blown away by a young Colorado band from the Boulder area known as The Railsplitters.  They took first place in the Pickin’ In The Pines Band Contest. http://www.prescriptionbluegrassblog.com/2012/09/boulder-bluegrass-band-wins-competition.html

Numerous spectators at the time compared them to a previous winning group, Tucson’s Run Boy Run,  who won in Flagstaff (2009) and then went on to win first place in the coveted Telluride Band Competition.  

The Railsplitters were encouraged and even challenged to see if they could equal that feat.

Last week, word from Colorado’s Rocky Grass Festival, (another prestigious festival from which to have trophies) was that The Railsplitters had done it.

In another twist of fate, the runners-up in the Rocky Grass Band competition this year was yet another Tucson, AZ band, The Sonoran Dogs who have also played at the Flagstaff Pickin’ In The Pines Festival.

First, Second and Third place winners in the Flagstaff competition all take home cash prizes.

The Railsplitters also got main-stage scheduling at the 2013 Pickin’ In The Pines as part of the compensation for winning the 2012 contest and scheduled to appear on Friday, September 13th.

 

In keeping with the diversity of the various styles of bluegrass and traditional acoustic music that Flagstaff Friends of Traditional Music present at Pickin’ In The Pines, the band contest is not confined to a specific genre of acoustic music.  Rather, it is an opportunity for a broad variety of acoustic bands to display their talents, musicianship and entertainment abilities to a wide audience. Judges are selected from Pickin’ in the Pines main stage performers.

For contest rules and registration, see the Pickin’ In The Pines Website:  http://pickininthepines.org/band-contest/

 

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• *Photo Credit: Jim McCarthy
• **Video Credit: rachandlily