The 1st Annual Southeast Bluegrass Banjo Championship
Get ready to pick, strum, and celebrate the spirit of bluegrass! Join us at Common John Brewing Company in Manchester, Tennessee, on September 27th, 2025, for the inaugural Southeast Bluegrass Banjo Championship. This is your chance to compete alongside some of the region’s most talented musicians in a setting that honors great music, great beer, and community.
instrument sponsors
Big Prizes & Bigger Talent
Hosted in collaboration with Common John Brewing Company—a brewery known for its passion for independent artists—and champion musician Joey Gipson, this event offers exciting cash prizes, including a $1,000 top award for Banjo. Whether you’re here to compete or cheer on your favorites, you’ll witness performances that showcase the rich tradition and energy of bluegrass music.
Your Host
Larry Chunn
Started dancing on the Grand Ole Opry in 1993. He has taught dancing and music for over 30 years. He loves bluegrass and country music. Larry has emceed many contests and festivals over the country.
Your judges
Becky Buller
She fiddles like her hair is on fire and writes a mean song, too! 10-time IBMA award-winning bluegrass artist Becky Buller. She has written songs that graced Grammy-winning albums.
If you can't find her talented, Becky hopes you can at least find her tall, with a whole truckload of instruments and a captivatingly winsome way.
She is a 2023 Minnesota Music Hall Of Fame inductee; had the #1 album on the Billboard Bluegrass Chart in June 2024 (Jubilee); is about to release her sixth album on the Dark Shadow Recording label; has appeared on WSM's Grand Ole Opry multiple times.
Jonathon Jones
At the age of 10, he got his first banjo from his parents. His dedication to the banjo allowed him to attend many competitions across the southeastern United States. By 1994, at the age of 13, he traveled to Winfield, Kansas, to compete in the National Bluegrass Banjo Championship, where he earned first place in the competition.
He performed many times at the Grand Ole Opry. He also performed at Opryland and all over the United States with a group of other talented musicians that made up the Young Acoustic Allstars.
Jonathon Jones
An accomplished musician and contest judge. Around the age of 18, he recorded on the late famous songwriter and country music artist Tom T. Hall's Blue Circle Records with a bluegrass group known as the Bluegrass Soul Pickers. He is the 1st place 2011 National Banjo Champion. He earned the title of National Banjo Champion in Winfield, Kansas at the Walnut Valley Festival. He has placed in the National Banjo Championship three times earning a first, second, and fourth place. He has won other 1st place championships on the banjo including Merlefest in North Carolina, and state championships in states to include Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Indiana.
SEPTEMBER 27TH
Categories
- Banjo – ($20 Entry Fee) Limit of 30 Entrants
- 1st Place – $1,000
- 2nd Place – $500
- 3rd Place – $250
- Dobro – ($10 Entry Fee) Limit of 20 Entrants
- 1st Place – $500
- 2nd Place – $250
- 3rd Place – $100
- Guitar – ($10 Entry Fee) Limit of 20 Entrants
- 1st Place – $500
- 2nd Place – $250
- 3rd Place – $100
- Fiddle – ($10 Entry Fee) Limit of 30 Entrants
- 1st Place – $500
- 2nd Place – $250
- 3rd Place – $100
- Mandolin – ($10 Entry Fee) Limit of 20 Entrants
- 1st Place – $500
- 2nd Place – $250
- 3rd Place – $100
14 and Under –
(Free Entry) Limit of 20 Entrants
1st Place – $100 + Deering Banjo
2nd Place – $50 + Deering Banjo
3rd Place – $25
14 and Under Rules –
This category is open to all musical instruments, with the following guidelines:
Only 1 song is allowed per contestant — no finals.
All instruments are welcome.
Songs must stay under 3 minutes in length.
1st Place Winner will get to choose between a Deering or a Gold Tone banjo.
2nd Place Winner will receive the remaining banjo.
General Rules for All Categories
Each instrument category has specific rules:
Banjo: Three-finger bluegrass style only. Any song can be played.
Fiddle: Any style is allowed.
Guitar: Flat pick only.
Dobro: Both finger picks and flat pick are allowed.
Competition format:
1 song will be played in the preliminary round.
The top 3 finalists will be selected to play 1 additional song to decide final placement.
All songs must adhere to the 3-minute time limit.
Judges have the discretion to allow do-overs for broken strings or other uncontrollable issues.
All judges’ decisions are final.
