2026 Texas State Championship Banjo, Guitar, and Mandolin Contest Winners Crowned

August 1, 2026
The Bluegrass Heritage Foundation was excited to present the 2026 Texas State Championship Banjo, Guitar, and Mandolin Contests on July 31 and August 1, 2026 in conjunction with the 2026 Farmers Branch Bluegrass Festival.  Photos are available in our gallery. 

The Championships were held at the DoubleTree Hotel near the Galleria in Farmers Branch and were sponsored in part by the City of Farmers Branch Texas, J&S Body Shop, Central Texas Bluegrass Association, Paluxy River Bluegrass Association, Southwest Bluegrass Club, Bay Area Bluegrass Association, Tone Shop Guitars, Robertson Guitars, Camp Bluegrass, and Huber Banjos.

The top three finishers in each contest received cash prizes of $500, $250, and $100, along with commemorative plaques and items donated by contest sponsors. All contests had a strong field of contestants, and the winners on each instrument were as follows:

Banjo (1st):  Jace Montagna, Carthage, Texas
Banjo (2nd):  Kalip Cole, Deville, Louisiana
Banjo (3rd):  Daniel Voeller, San Antonio, Texas

Guitar (1st):  Scott Owen, Garland, Texas
Guitar (2nd):  Brian Wright, Ponder, Texas
Guitar (3rd):  John-Samuel May, Waco, Texas

Mandolin (1st):  Nick Norris, Denton, Texas
Mandolin (2nd):  Randall McKinney, Dripping Springs, Texas
Mandolin (3rd):  David Hallmark, Mabank, Texas

We were thankful to host so many excellent pickers here in Texas and hope for another great round of contests next year.  The Bluegrass Heritage Foundation thanks all the contestants, volunteer staffers, sponsors, and fine folks in attendance who made this Championship successful.  (Photo courtesy of Isaac Green.)