The BMAM Band Contest at the Crooked River Gathering

The BMAM Band Contest at the Crooked River Gathering 

The Bluegrass Music Association of Maine is proud to present the second-annual band contest at the Crooked River Gathering.  

The event will feature up to 6 bands. Bands can be established groups or simply friends who love picking together—basically, any ensemble that wants to assemble. While many festival band contests focus on competition, our band contest is focused on fun. Let’s have a great time listening to and cheering on each band. 

The winning band will earn a spot on the main stage at a future Crooked River Gathering. And the top three bands will receive prizes generously donated by our sponsors, Ear Trumpet Labs, D’Addario, and Bourgeois Guitars.  

Read on for contest details, rules and more. To enter your band, please contact to Taylor Smith at tsmith@mainebluegrass.org. 

When: Thursday, Sept. 3, at 8p.m., following the Main Stage shows. 

Where: The contest will take place on the Manic Mountain Stage at the Crooked River Gathering. 

 

Contest Rules: 

1. Bands must have between 2-6 members. 
2. All members must be ticketed attendees of the Crooked River Gathering. 
3. Bands performing on the festival’s main stage are not eligible for the contest. However, bands can include up to two members of groups performing on the main stage. 
4. Each band plays 2-3 songs, with a total time of 15 minutes per band (including stage setup).  
5. The Crooked River Gathering is a celebration of bluegrass and old-time music. Please keep your song selection in the spirit of those genres! 
6. The stage setup will include one large condenser mic, two outboard directional mics, and a DI/backline for bass. Please leave your pedal boards, special mics and in-ear monitors behind so we can keep the contest moving smoothly!  
7. A panel of judges will evaluate the bands on three criteria: 
   1. Instrumental and vocal performance  
   2. Stage presence 
   3. Audience appreciation  

Come on out and take part in the BMAM Band Contest at the Crooked River Gathering! To sign up or get more information, please reach out to Taylor Smith at tsmith@mainebluegrass.org.