For the second consecutive year, Ivy Phillips of Chapmansboro has won the top Jamboree award as the best fiddler in the National Championship for Country Musician Beginners.
Phillips 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 Mickey Driver, Adam Driver, Jimmy Driver, Bert Driver, Ben Driver, and Russell Ambrose. Phillips placed among the top three in all seven categories, winning the Dobro and Mandolin competition in addition to Fiddle, taking second place in Guitar, and finishing third place in Buck Dancing, Clogging, and Banjo.
The “Entertainer of the Year” Award also went to Phillips. This award is presented to the best overall instrumental entertainer among winners in the dobro guitar, mandolin, five string banjo, and flat top guitar competition.
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-Ivy Phillips of Chapmansboro; Second Place- Jaelee Roberts of Murfreesboro; and Third Place- Annabelle Watts of Phelps, Kentucky.
Buck Dancing: First Place- Brayden Chunn of Greenbrier; Second Place- Sarah Fisher of Smyrna; and Third Place- Ivy Phillips of Chapmansboro
Clogging: First Place- Gracie Parrish of Pleasantview, Second Place- Brayden Chunn of Greenbrier; and Third Place- Ivy Phillips of Chapmansboro.
Dobro Guitar: First Place- Ivy Phillips of Chapmansboro; Second Place- Jake Ramsey of Smithville, and Third Place- Brayden Chunn of Greenbrier.
Mandolin: First Place-Ivy Phillips of Chapmansboro; Second Place-Anna Claire Stockoff of Brentwood; Third Place- Jaelee Roberts of Murfreesboro.
Five String Banjo: First Place- Trevor Holder of Ringgold, Georgia; Second Place- Axel Rico of Smithville; and Third Place- Ivy Phillips of Chapmansboro
Flat Top Guitar: First Place- Anna Claire Stockoff of Brentwood; Second Place- Ivy Phillips of Chapmansboro; and Third Place- Jaelee Roberts of Murfreesboro
(TOP PHOTO: Pictured with Ivy Phillips (left to right) Mickey Driver, Adam Driver, Jimmy Driver, Bert Driver, Ben Driver, and Russell Ambrose)