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Americana-Roots Duet & Band Contests

2019 WINNERS

DUET CHAMPIONS

First Place: Fellow Pynins
Second Place: The UkuLadies
Third Place: Brady Perl and Toyin

BAND CHAMPIONS

First Place: Bernie King and the
Guilty Pleasures
Second Place: Harper's Chord
Third Place: Lady Spruce

Competition History 2003-2019

Americana-Roots Duet Contest and Band Showcase at the

Minnesota State Fair

Friday, September 2nd & Saturday, September 3rd, 2022
11:30 am – 2:15 pm
West End Market Stage, Minnesota State Fair

Backstage parking passes for bands—no need to lug that bass across the Fair!

Testimonials: see what previous contestants had to say!

The Minnesota Bluegrass Americana-Roots Music Contests at the Minnesota State Fair once again will feature a Vocal Duet contest and a Band Showcase. Both contests are limited to acoustic groups playing Americana "Roots" music, including bluegrass, old-time, newgrass, and related music. Music professionals will judge the duos on material selection and arrangement, instrumental and vocal performance, stage presence, and entertainment value.

All the participating duos and bands will receive a one-year membership to MBOTMA and gate passes to the fair!

Americana-Roots Duet Contest

Friday, September 2nd, 11:30 am – 2:15 pm
West End Market Stage, Minnesota State Fair
Limit: 11 Duets

Entry Fee: $25
Deadline to Register: August 23, 2022

On Friday, September 2nd, the Americana-Roots Duet Contest will award prize money ($600/$300/$150) and ribbons to the top three duos. The first-place duo also will receive a feature article in Minnesota Bluegrass.

The duet contest will consist of performances by two individuals for two voices and acoustic instruments, including at least one stringed instrument. Electric instruments are not permitted, with the exception of the bass. All duos will perform two songs in the preliminary round, and the top five duos will perform one additional song in the final round. Limit 11 duos.

There are two steps to the registration process:

1. Read the Duet Contest Guidelines (PDF). By registering, you agree that you have read and agree to the contest rules.

2. Click the button below to register and pay.

Americana-Roots Band Showcase

Saturday, September 3rd, 11:30 am – 2:15 pm
West End Market Stage, Minnesota State Fair

Limit: 9 Bands

Entry Fee: None
Deadline to Register: August 22nd, 2022

Showcase your band's amazing talent to the thousands of attendees who flock to the West End Marketplace on State Fair Saturdays!

1. Download and complete the Stage Plot and Tech Request Form (PDF) and return as indicated on the instructions.

2. Click the button below to register.

2022 Sponsors

Thank you to these organizations for all they do to support bluegrass and old-time music in Minnesota!

The following events are made possible in part by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association
P.O. Box 16408, Minneapolis, MN 55416
info@minnesotabluegrass.org
601-651-3694

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Our Mission: To preserve and promote bluegrass and old-time stringband music in and around the state of Minnesota.