Members of the Daleville/Fincastle Lions Club hosted their first Bland Music Competition on February 29 at The Glebe. There were six contestants ranging in age from 10 years old to 18 years. First place winner in the instrumental competition was Michah Paul Fender, who played the banjo. First place in the vocalist competition was Clara May Maxson. Second place instrumental was C. Justin Broughman on the guitar and second place vocalist was Hannah Nikole Martin.
The Annual Bland Music Scholarships Program was established in 1948 to assist and promote cultural and educational opportunities for the musically talented youth of Virginia. The program consists of elimination contests starting at club level and continuing through “State Final Contest.” The program is open to any boy or girl, vocalist or instrumentalist, properly sponsored by a Virginia Lions Club. Any resident of Virginia (or within the club jurisdiction) and attending elementary, junior, or senior high school is eligible to participate. James A. “Jimmy” Bland, the Black writer of American folk songs, composed over 700 songs, a number of which were outright contributions to Americana.
First place winners will go on to compete at the semi-district level and if they win, they will travel to the State Lions Conference in Chesapeake in May.
