A Kentucky girl won the top Jamboree award Saturday as the best fiddler in the National Championship for Country Musician Beginners.
Annabelle Watts of Philpot, Kentucky was crowned the Grand Champion fiddler 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.
Meanwhile, the “Entertainer of the Year” Award went to Kyle Ramey of North Vernon, Indiana. 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-Annabelle Watts of Philpot, Kentucky; Second Place- Kyle Ramey of North Vernon, Indiana; and Third Place- Antonis Dodson of Murfreesboro
Buck Dancing: First Place- Brayden Chunn of Greenbrier; Second Place- Ivy Phillips of Chapmansboro; and Third Place- Gracie Parrish of Pleasant View
Clogging: First Place- Brayden Chunn of Greenbrier; Second Place- Isabella McCoy of Brush Creek; and Third Place- Amelia Baker of Springfield.
Dobro Guitar: First Place- Antonio Dodson of Murfreesboro; Second Place- Ivy Phillips of Chapmansboro, and Third Place- Kyle Ramey of North Vernon, Indiana.
Mandolin: First Place-Kyle Ramey of North Vernon, Indiana; Second Place-Anna Claire Stockoff of Brentwood; Third Place- Ivy Phillips of Chapmansboro.
Five String Banjo: First Place- Axel Rico of Smithville; Second Place- Kyle Ramey of North Vernon, Indiana; and Third Place- Ivy Phillips of Chapmansboro
Flat Top Guitar: First Place- Kyle Ramey of North Vernon, Indiana; Second Place- Ivy Phillips of Chapmansboro; and Third Place- Antonio Dodson of Murfreesboro