Colin Beasley

2018 - In his fourth contest, Colin Beasley, Mobile, AL, took home the first-place trophy and a Master Works 16/15 CBWXR7 Bantam Weight Chromatic Extended Range Hammer Dulcimer presented by Russell Cook with Master Works, Inc. of Bennington, OK. Colin discovered the hurdy-gurdy, which led to his discovery of the hammer dulcimer. He’s been playing for almost five years, and has made the finals each time he competed in the contest.

“This year was definitely the most stacked in terms of competition. I think that worked to my benefit,” he said. “In previous years, I felt like, ‘I can win this.’ This year, I felt like, ‘I can play the best I’ve ever played and still not win.’ I think it was that mentality that let me just go up there and play for the audience instead of just compete. When you play for the audience, you want to play music more than notes. That allowed me to play better than I usually do in a contest.”

2017 - Third place in this competition was awarded to 22-year old Musician and music teacher by the name of Colin Beasley of Mobile, AL. This was the third time he has entered this contest and in 2016 he placed second in this competition. He attends other festivals like Mountain Vies in AR and as a result of a contest he was invites to come to Winfield. Colin also plays percussion and Steel pan. His hobbies include music and hiking. His efforts netted him a check for $75, the 3rd Place Trophy and a Huddleson UL400C Chromatic Hammer Dulcimer by Mike Huddleson Stringed Instruments of Wichita, KS.

2016 - This year’s second place winner is a senior in college attending the University of Southern Mississippi. Colin Beasley hails from Mobile, AL and he is majoring in construction engineering. This is his second time of entering this contest. Colin has some natural talent since he has been playing the hammer dulcimer for a little over two years. He also plays percussion and the steel pan. He comments on the Festival by saying “great crowd, great personnel and awesome environment. Colin was awarded a check for $100, the 2nd Place Trophy and the Cloud Nine-Model 17/16/8 Hammer Dulcimer provided by Michael C. Allen Cloud Nine Musical Instruments of Ostrander, OH.