Renofest 2009

Renofest, is always the 4th weekend in March and one of my most anticipated events of the year for me. This was my 5th year attending and my 4th time competing in the Guitar Contest. True to form... this year was no different from the past, getting all nervous, fumbling my notes, and failing to make the final cut (Top 5). I played Maydelle's Reel.

Although I did not take home the coveted Wayne Henderson Guitar or come close to the prize, I would not change a thing or quit trying. For the past 5 years I have aspired to be a "contest Picker" and I have grown by leaps and bounds since my first attempt in 2005. Although the nerves are still the same as the first time I took the stage, I seriously doubt they will ever go away in the contest setting.

The rules for Renofest are simple:
1. Contestants will be judged on 50 possible points.
2. Competition will begin PROMPTLY at 10:00 AM. Any contestant who is not present to compete when his/her number is called will be disqualified.
3. Judges will not see the contestants. Contestants will be referred to only by their numbers. This blind judging makes the competition as fair as possible.
4. Contestants will be judged on arrangement, execution & tuning, and overall performance.
5. Flatpicking or fingerpicking allowed.
6. Contestants are allowed one instrument back-up (accompanist) of their choice.
7. Contestants are not allowed to sing or speak into the mike.
8. In the preliminaries contestants will play one tune with a time limit of three (3) minutes with 10 points being deducted for exceeding time limit.
9. In cases of broken strings/picks, etc., contestants will be allowed to repeat the same tune without penalty.
10. No electrical instruments allowed for contestants or accompanists.
11. The top 5 contestants will be announced from the stage at approximately 12:30 pm. Contestants will assemble promptly at 12:35 PM behind the stage area to draw numbers for their playing order. ANY CONTESTANT WHO DOES NOT APPEAR FOR THE DRAWING PROMPTLY AT 12:35 PM WILL BE IMMEDIATELY DISQUALIFIED.
12. Finals will begin PROMPTLY AT 1:20 PM. Any contestant who is not present to compete when his or her number is called will be disqualified.
13. Finalists will perform 2 tunes with a time limit of three (3) minutes per tune. They will be judged and scored only on this performance. Previous scores will not be considered. 10 points will be deducted for exceeding time limit.
14. Winners will be announced at approximately 4:05 PM.

This year winners were:
1. Eric Hardin, Warrensville NC
2. Bryan McDowell, Canton NC
3. Matt Lindsey, Dunbar WVA
4. Josh Pickett, Cana VA
5. Zeb Snyder, Lexington NC

It's a rare day if a South Carolinian can crack the Top 5!

Eric ripped it up playing Whiskey Before Breakfast in the first round, and Lonesome Fiddle Blues and Blackberry Blossom in the second round. Any of these guys can win on any given day and I had a great time rubbing elbows and competing along side them.

Until next year! (Just like you would hear a USC fan say)
Sandy