Bryan McDowell 2010 Guitar Champion at Galax (August 2010)
Bryan was honored to be at the top of the list and in good company with his good buddy Brandon Davis and renowned guitar builder, Wayne Henderson, at this years guitar competitions in Galax, VA.
Another "Triple" Sweep for Bryan McDowell (July 2010)
A new record was set at the 38th Annual Rocky Grass Festival and competitions held in Colorado. The morning of July 25th, 2010, festival goers witnessed the competition finals at the main stage. In the end, Bryan took home 1st place Guitar, 1st place Banjo, and 1st place Fiddle. This Colorado road trip was well worth the drive and the festivals hospitality was great. The ever-changing beauty of their sky and the scenic views were breath-taking.
Take in this view at the entrance of Estes Park near the Rocky Mountain National Park.
Bryan McDowell 2010 Wayne C. Henderson Guitar Champion(June 2010)
On Saturday, June 19, 2010, Bryan scored yet another win at the 2010 Wayne C. Henderson Guitar Competition. As you can tell from this photo, Bryan was thrilled to win a coveted Henderson guitar.
2010 Merlefest Guitar Championship- Bryan McDowell Wins (April 2010)
After judging the mandolin competition on Thursday, Bryan went on to claim another win on Friday at the 2010 Merlefest Guitar Championship. As competition winners always perform Saturday on the Cabin Stage, Bryan McDowell - 2010 Flatpick Guitar champ, Nick Keen - 2010 mandolin champ, and Jonathan Dillon -2010 Banjo champ, dedicated their set in memory of their pickin' buddy, young Houston Caldwell who passed away the evening before. Photo courtesy of Gary Alter Photography
"The Winfield Three" featured in Flatpicking Guitar Magazine
Bryan McDowell, Brandon Davis, and Eric Hardin are featured in the March/April 2010 issue of Flatpicking Guitar. See full article and tablature at www.flatpick.com . Also, available from Flatpicking Guitar is their accompanying cd which includes "St. Anne's Reel" by the trio.
Bryan McDowell Takes Home "Another" Triple Win (October
2009)
Bryan McDowell of Canton, NC, has done it again. "Georgia's Official State Fiddlers' Convention" was held this past weekend in Hiawassee, Georgia. Read more on Bryan's News page.
Bryan McDowell's TRIPLE WIN at WINFIELD !! (September 2009)
Bryan made Winfield, KS history last weekend at the 2009 38th Annual Walnut Valley Festival's National and International Competitions. He competed in fiddle, mandolin, and flatpick guitar and took 1st Place in all three! This was the first time anyone had ever won three Winfield competitions in the same year.
Bryan said the only thing that he would have wanted as much, was for his best buddies to win it with him. Ironically, Brandon Davis came in 2nd on flatpick guitar and Eric Hardin came in 3rd on flatpick guitar. These guys both play in the same band with Bryan, "Second Circle". Eric plays banjo with the band while Brandon does guitar and Bryan is on fiddle.
You can read all about this story on Bryan's News.
2009 Galax's 1st Place Bluegrass Band (August 2009)
AND 2009 Galax Individual Category winners!
Second Circle" (formerly known as "4 Fret Kord") once again wins 1st Place Bluegrass Band at the 74th Annual Old Time Fiddler's Convention. See www.youtube.com for their 2009 contest performance. Four of the bands individual members also won or placed in their instrument category. Bryan McDowell won 1st Place Bluegrass Fiddle, Eric Hardin won 1st Place Bluegrass Banjo, Brandon Davis received 3rd place guitar, and Chase Johner received 3rd place mandolin. Congratulations Second Circle !!!
Bryan McDowell wins 2009 New England Flatpicking Championship
(July 2009)
Bryan McDowell 2009 Merlefest Mandolin Champion (April 2009)
Bryan McDowell and sister Emma at 2008 IBMA Songwriters Showcase (October
2008)
Bryan McDowell and his sister, Emma McDowell, were honored to be featured as one of ten artist selected to perform two of their original songs at the IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Associations) Songwriters Showcase at the World of Bluegrass Event held in Nashville, Tennessee.
2008 Galax's 1st Place Bluegrass Band (August 2008)
More exciting news! Out of 172 bluegrass bands registered to compete, 4 Fret Kord wins 1st Place Bluegrass Band at the 2008 73rd Annual Old Fiddler's Convention. "4 Fret Kord" is a hot group of young musicians consisting of Bryan McDowell on fiddle, Eric Hardin on banjo, Tracy Burcham on bass and harmony vocals, Melissa King on lead vocals, Chase Joyner on mandolin and harmony vocals, and Brandon Davis on guitar. You can catch their winning performance currently on www.youtube.com and by seaching on "2008 Galax First Place Band." They are on stage there, left to right, in the same order listed in this news flash.
***The Release Date of Bryan's new cd, "The Contestant" is on schedule for September 7, 2010. To pre-order your copy now, go to Bryan's 
