Mountain City once again became a gathering place for musicians, families and traditional music fans October 2–3 as the Mountain City Fiddlers’ Convention returned for another memorable weekend of old-time and bluegrass music.
More than 700 people attended or participated during the two-day event, which featured Friday night concerts, Saturday youth and adult competition, and special performances by artists ranging from rising young musicians to some of the most recognized names in traditional music. Press Release-MCFC26 – 10.5.2026
Friday’s Opening Night at Heritage Hall Theatre featured Denim & Plaid, The Kody Norris Show and Lonesome River Band, setting the stage for a full Saturday of competition and performances by Remedy Tree, Carson Peters & Iron Mountain and Riders in the Sky. Press Release-MCFC26 – 10.5.2026
Forty individual musicians and seven bands competed during the weekend, representing Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Virginia, South Carolina and Maine. More than $12,000 in cash and prizes was awarded.
16-Year-Old Hollace Oakes Claims Grand Champion Fiddler Title
One of the weekend’s biggest stories belonged to 16-year-old Hollace Oakes of Snowville, Virginia, who entered the adult competition this year and emerged as the 2026 Grand Champion Fiddler.
Her win continued a remarkable progression at the Mountain City Fiddlers’ Convention. In 2025, Oakes competed in the youth division and went on to finish as first runner-up in the Grand Champion Fiddle-Off. Returning one year later to compete in the adult division, she captured the convention’s top fiddle honor. Press Release-MCFC26 – 10.5.2026
As Grand Champion, Oakes received this year’s signature prize — a custom Jason Barie fiddle valued at approximately $5,000 — made possible through support from the East Tennessee Foundation and Johnson County Community Foundation. Press Release-MCFC26 – 10.5.2026
The 2026 Fiddle-Off results were:
- Grand Champion Fiddler: Hollace Oakes — Snowville, VA
- 1st Runner-Up: Asa Nelson — Johnson City, TN
- 2nd Runner-Up: Charlie Tolbert — Purlear, NC Press Release-MCFC26 – 10.5.2026
Riders in the Sky Receive G.B. Grayson Award
Another highlight of Saturday evening came when Kody and Mary Rachel Norris presented legendary Western music group Riders in the Sky with the Mountain City Fiddlers’ Convention’s G.B. Grayson Award.
The award honors the musical heritage of Johnson County by recognizing artists whose work helps preserve old-time country music for future generations. Riders in the Sky received the 2026 award in recognition of the group’s life’s work and dedication to old-time country music. Press Release-MCFC26 – 10.5.2026
Named in honor of Johnson County native and influential old-time fiddler G.B. Grayson, the award reflects the convention’s commitment not only to presenting traditional music, but to recognizing the artists who have dedicated their lives to keeping that music alive. Press Release-MCFC26 – 10.5.2026
Young Musicians Take the Stage
Saturday’s youth competition showcased a strong field of young musicians from across the region.
Youth Guitar
1st Place — Zane Lewis, Shady Valley, TN
2nd Place — Isaac William Eggers, Zionville, NC
Youth Banjo
1st Place — Isaac William Eggers, Zionville, NC
2nd Place — Jase Owen Smith, Gaffney, SC
Youth Mandolin
1st Place — Isaac William Eggers, Zionville, NC
2nd Place — Jeremiah Bates, Hartsville, TN
Youth Fiddle
1st Place — Macy Stevens, Granite Falls, NC
2nd Place — Hank Russell Norris, Elizabethton, TN
3rd Place — Jeremiah Bates, Hartsville, TN
Youth Band
1st Place — Hail Mary
2nd Place — Stateline Ramblers Press Release-MCFC26 – 10.5.2026
The number of young musicians taking the stage was an encouraging reminder that the traditional music celebrated by the convention is continuing to be passed from one generation to the next.
Folk Song and Adult Competition Winners
Competition continued throughout Saturday with Folk Song and adult instrumental and band categories.
In Folk Song, Chase A. Willis-Johnson of Todd, North Carolina, took first place, followed by Ava Burck of Boone and Audrey Neal of Johnson City. Press Release-MCFC26 – 10.5.2026
Adult division winners were:
Adult Guitar
1st Place — Hudson Mikeal, Crumpler, NC
2nd Place — Alex Edwards, Johnson City, TN
3rd Place — Grayden Shepherd, West Jefferson, NC
Adult Banjo
1st Place — Griffin Domby, Kingsport, TN
2nd Place — Claire Childress, Wise, VA
3rd Place — Ashton Moore, Enterprise, AL
Adult Mandolin
1st Place — Charlie Tolbert, Purlear, NC
2nd Place — Hudson Mikeal, Crumpler, NC
3rd Place — Claire Childress, Wise, VA
Adult Fiddle
1st Place — Hollace Oakes, Snowville, VA
2nd Place — Cody Bauer, Knoxville, TN
3rd Place — Asa Nelson, Johnson City, TN
Adult Band
1st Place — Buffalo Mountain Boys
2nd Place — The Mountaineers
3rd Place — Briar Creek Boys Press Release-MCFC26 – 10.5.2026
Preserving a Johnson County Tradition
The 2026 Mountain City Fiddlers’ Convention was made possible through funding from the Tennessee Arts Commission, East Tennessee Foundation and Johnson County Community Foundation, along with support from local corporate and individual sponsors. Press Release-MCFC26 – 10.5.2026
But events like this are also built on something harder to quantify: the time and effort of the many people who work behind the scenes.
From registration and hospitality to stage management, competition logistics, photography and dozens of other details, a convention of this size depends on volunteers who often spend far more time working than watching.
And that work supports something bigger than a single weekend.
The names of the winners may change each year, but the purpose remains much the same — to celebrate the music, encourage new generations of musicians and preserve a tradition deeply connected to Johnson County’s history.
A Personal Note from The Johnson County Line
The Johnson County Line also had a personal connection to this year’s convention.
Sheila Stout Caldwell has worked with Mary Rachel Norris and The Kody Norris Show since 2023 to help produce the Mountain City Fiddlers’ Convention, making 2026 their fourth convention working together.
Dan Cullinane joined the volunteer team on Saturday, spending the day photographing the competition, performers, families and volunteers throughout the event.
For both of us, volunteering offered another reminder of just how many people give their time, talent and energy to make the convention happen — and how much work goes on behind the scenes to preserve and present this tradition each year. Everyone at MCFC volunteer their time … it is a work of HEART!
Looking Ahead to 2027
Organizers are already looking ahead to next year.
The first weekend of October is set aside for the 2027 Mountain City Fiddlers’ Convention, with additional information, competition results, photos and future updates available through the convention website. Press Release-MCFC26 – 10.5.2026
For Johnson County, the convention remains more than an annual event.
It is a gathering of musicians, families, volunteers and fans around a musical tradition that continues to evolve — without losing sight of where it came from.
