FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012

Blue Lightning of Burlington wins Got to Be NC Festival
Bluegrass Competition

RALEIGH — Blue Lightning of Burlington took home the $500 top prize in the Got to Be NC Festival Bluegrass Competition. The group also won the opportunity to perform at the 15th Annual Preddyfest Bluegrass Festival in Franklinton. The group is made up of Dale Simmons on banjo, Dale Simmons Jr. on mandolin and vocals, Jerry Farrell on guitar and John Fogleman on bass.

Second place and $250 went to Sourwood Mountain Band from Franklinton. The band features Donny Barham on banjo, Tommy Carter on vocals, Raymond Brag on bass, Carl Norgard on mandolin and vocals, and Gary Bray on guitar and lead vocals.

Smith Family Band of Robbins took home third-place honors and $125 in prize money. The band is made up of Corey Smith on guitar, Nellie Smith on fiddle, Luke Smith on banjo, Eli Smith on mandolin and Allen Smith on bass.

Mountain Rain of Elkin took home fourth-place honors. The group is made up of Anthony Edwards on guitar, Brad Wood on mandolin and vocals, James Torrence on dobro and vocals, Morris Herbert on banjo and vocals and Robert McIntosh on bass and vocals.

The competition was a part of the Got to Be NC Festival, presented by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. A celebration of North Carolina’s agriculture heritage and food products, the festival also featured hundreds of pieces of antique farm equipment, the Got to Be NC Food and Wine Expo, the Carolina FiberFest, carnival rides, live music, grandstand events and more.

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