The Emorys, a family bluegrass gospel band from Barnardsville, North Carolina, took top honors at the first Bluegrass Showdown in 2026, presented February 12 at Milton Harkey’s 31st Bluegrass First Class festival in Asheville, NC. Proceeds from The Bluegrass Showdown will go to the IBMA Foundation.
Known in the 1990s as the Pizza Hut International Bluegrass Showdown, the program is more than a band competition because of the one-on-one mentoring offered to each band by a group of highly respected bluegrass artists after the performances. The panel of judges in Asheville included Ricky Stroud, Darin Aldridge, Greg Blake, Darrell Webb, Jon Essick, and Carol Rifkin.
Five bluegrass bands, all impressive and uniquely talented, competed for the Showdown championship: PIckety Split from Charlotte, North Carolina; the Free Rein Bluegrass Band from Maynardville, Tennessee; the North State Grass from Charlotte, North Carolina; Creekwater Collective from Pickens, South Carolina; and the Emorys from Asheville, North Carolina.
The Emorys chose songs made popular by the Isaacs as well as several originals for their performance at Bluegrass First Class. Performing for four years now, the family band includes Mariah (18) on guitar and mandolin; Hannah (21) on mandolin, fiddle, and guitar; and 25-year-old triplets Judah (cajon), Abigail (bass guitar), and Elisabeth (banjo); along with their parents, Philip and Melonie, who occasionally joined them onstage to sing. Few bluegrass artists of any age would attempt the Isaacs’ vocal harmony style, but the Emory siblings astounded the audience with their singing skills and heart for gospel music, along with fine instrumental chops.
Milton Harkey, promoter of the Bluegrass Showdown and Bluegrass First Class, said, “We are happy to be bringing back The Bluegrass Showdown. This is the largest crowd here on Thursday night at Bluegrass First Class that we have had in quite some time, and it is a fantastic kick-off for The Showdown. It’s exciting to witness the talent and enthusiasm and potential of these new bands. It reminds me of why we first started doing the Bluegrass Showdown in the ’90s. The judges are an impressive group from some of the best bands in bluegrass today, and I appreciate them taking this so seriously.”
He continued: “The opportunity to have mentors like them is incredibly valuable, and one of the greatest things about the Bluegrass Showdown. If you have a bluegrass band who wants to up your game, consider entering the Bluegrass Showdown. We’re also pleased to be donating proceeds from the Bluegrass Showdown to the IBMA Foundation, which is working hard to support a bright future for bluegrass music.”
Stay tuned for the next Bluegrass Showdown events planned at other bluegrass festivals in 2026 and 2027, along with the national showdown where regional champions will compete.
RETURN to the March 2026 issue of The Cornerstone.
Photo by Vivian Pennington
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