2016 - National Flat Pick Guitar Championship; Steve Lewis of Jefferson, NC has entered this contest seven times. In 1999 he placed 3rd, in 2001 second, in 2002 third and second again in 2003. Steve is a former house painter who has retired from painting houses and is now an instructor with the schools system teaching guitar and other stringed instruments. Steve also enters the Bluegrass Banjo competition here at the Festival. He also participates in other festivals such as Merlefest and the Wayne Henderson Festival. Steve started playing the guitar at the tender age of 8 and has been playing for 44 years. When not playing the guitar/banjo or teaching his students he loves to go fishing. He has a CD available entitled “Appalachian Rain.” He also takes back to NC the 1st Place Trophy, a check for $3,000 and a Collins Winfield Model Mahogany/Adirondack Spruce Guitar by Collings Guitars of Austin, TX.
2016 - National Bluegrass Banjo; Second place was awarded to a Jefferson, NC performer and teacher of the banjo/guitar. Steve Lewis placed second in this competition and earlier he placed first in the flat pick guitar competition. In this contest, Steve placed 2nd in 1999, 2nd in 2001, 1st in 2003 and 1st again in 2009. Steve says he has been playing the banjo for some 40 years. As mentioned he also plays the guitar. Fishing is his favorite thing to do when not teaching or playing his instruments. Going back to North Carolina with him are the 2nd Place Trophy and a Deering Calico 5-String Banjo by Deering Banjo Company of Spring Valley, CA.