2016 - Third place went to a person who is making this his 9th time to enter this contest. Steve Luper of Andover, KS started playing the autoharp in 2005. He has made the top five 5-times (08, 11, 13, 14, and 15). He says the Walnut Valley Staff is just incredible and consistently does an outstanding job from year-to-year; good quality people! Steve says he has been humbled and grateful for the gracious comments of the other contestants and he holds them in high regards. He concludes with “I have no CD, website, Facebook nor twit.

2016 - Chang Chung-Lin of Taipei City, Taiwan is the thirty-seven year old music teacher who placed third in this contest. This was his first time to Winfield and this contest. He says he has been playing the guitar for around 20 years. When asked if he would like to play another selection on being introduced as the third place winner, he said no. Rather he asked to have his girlfriend brought to the stage. After being escorted forward Chang got down on one knee and proposed to her and the look on her face indicated a “YES” answer.