Meyer Bluegrass Band wins youth bluegrass competition

The Meyer Bluegrass Band -- Mary, John, David, Joe and Paul, from left to right, perform at a youth competition at Silver Dollar City, in Branson, Mo., Memorial Day weekend. --submitted photo

A local Vernon County bluegrass band brought home top honors from the 8th Annual KSMU Silver Dollar City Youth in Bluegrass Competition held Memorial Day weekend in Branson, Mo. The Meyer Bluegrass Band, one of 19 bands from nine different states, won the $1,200 first place prize in a close two-day contest with some of the best young bluegrass bands in the country.

"We were surprised," said more than one of the Meyer band members. "There were bands who had won second and third places last year, so we were hoping to get into the top five, since this was our first year competing."

The judges, however, appreciated the group's classic bluegrass sound, their good techniques, and strong vocal harmonies. Joe, 19 years old, plays upright bass for the group. Brother Paul, 18, sings lead vocals and plays guitar. On the banjo is John, 16, who, with David, 14, on the fiddle, sings vocals. Mary, 12, rounds out the group playing mandolin.

The band members were happy to see friends from Bellamy, Sheldon, Milford, and Nevada turn out for the contest. They also enjoyed meeting young musicians from all over the country: from North Dakota to Texas, and from Ohio to Arizona. In between competition performances, members of the many different groups met in jam sessions or to trade stories and ideas.

As the winners of the Youth in Bluegrass Competition, Meyer Bluegrass Band has been invited to play at the Bluegrass and BBQ Festival at Silver Dollar City next year.

In the meantime, the group will enjoy bringing bluegrass and gospel music to audiences throughout southwest Missouri.

For information on the band's schedule or recordings, call John or Paul at (417) 884-5178 or e-mail johnmeyer93@gmail.com.