A Greenbrier girl, for the second year in a row, took home this year’s top Jamboree award as the best fiddler in the National Championship for Country Musician Beginners.
Cara Digiovanni was crowned the Grand Champion fiddler Saturday and won the coveted James G. “Bobo” Driver Memorial Award, named for the man who started the children’s competition during the 1980’s as part of the annual Fiddler’s Jamboree and Crafts Festival. The award was presented by members of Mr. Driver’s family including Bert, Milas, Sadie, Jim, Mickey, Allison, and Adam Driver.
Meanwhile Kyle Ramey of North Vernon, Indiana received the “Entertainer of the Year” Award, which is presented to the best overall instrumental entertainer among winners in the dobro guitar, mandolin, five string banjo, and flat top guitar competition. Ramey took home first place in three of those categories and third place in two others.
The National Championship for Country Musician Beginners showcases the talents of children up to age twelve in seven categories of competition.
This year’s winners are as follows:
Fiddle: First Place-Cara Digiovanni of Greenbrier; Second Place- Ivy Phillips of Chapmansboro, Tennessee; and Third Place- Kyle Ramey of North Vernon, Indiana..
Buck Dancing: First Place- Shelby Dunn of Fairview, Second Place- Ivy Phillips of Chapmansboro, and Third Place-Raygan Sellers of Goodlettesville.
Clogging: First Place- Sarah Fisher of Smyrna; Second Place-Amy Fisher of Smyrna; and Third Place- Brayden Chunn of Greenbrier.
Dobro Guitar: First Place- Kyle Ramey of North Vernon, Indiana; Second Place- Cara Digiovanni of Greenbrier and Third Place- Raygan Sellers of Goodlettsville..
Mandolin: First Place-Kyle Ramey of North Vernon, Indiana; Second Place-Anna Clara Stockhoff of Brentwood; and Third Place- Ben Hester of Chapmansboro
Five String Banjo: First Place- Josiah Newman of Scottsville, Kentucky; Second Place- Grayson Phillips of Chapmansboro and Third Place- Kyle Ramey of North Vernon, Indiana.
Flat Top Guitar: First Place- Kyle Ramey of North Vernon, Indiana, Second Place- Cara Digiovanni of Greenbrier; and Third Place- Carson Wood of Pleasantville, Tennessee.
PICTURED SECOND FROM TOP:
BACK ROW FROM LEFT: Bert Driver, Mickey Driver, Jimmy Driver, Adam Driver
FRONT ROW: Milas Driver, Sadie Driver, Allison Driver, and Cara Digiovanni