The band with their prize banner after the competition / Brad Murray
BREMEN – Earlier this summer, students from around the state gathered in Montgomery for the 89th Alabama Future Farmers of America (FFA) state convention. One of the highlights of the convention was the string band competition, to which Cold Springs High School returned to defend its 2016 title.
According to faculty sponsor Brad Murray, “The state competition was much more intense this year. The new round of preliminary performances the day before the finals added to the pressure, also there were teams there this year that did not have a group last year and were extremely talented.”
The band placed fourth in the preliminary round on June 6, qualifying to return the following day for finals. There it carried the day with a first-place finish, qualifying Cold Springs for the national competition (if they had needed it; the band’s fourth place national finish last year gave them an automatic berth this year), and garnering them an invitation to provide live entertainment for the convention.
Cold Springs String Band members:
Andrew Blair: vocals, guitar, and mandolin
Matthew Blair: bass guitar.
Katie Dollar: vocals and spoons
Travis Hill, Jr: lead vocals and banjo
Hunter McClendon: vocals and guitar
Abi Burrow performed with the band at the district competition, though not at state.
Two band members, Travis Hill and Andrew Blair, graduated in May. With their upcoming college schedules and the high cost of attending the national event, it had not been determined at the time of writing if the band will return to nationals this year.
“We were fortunate to have another very successful year,” said Murray, “not only in the string band competition, but also in other competitions. The Cold Springs FFA chapter is blessed with numerous young people, especially the chapter officers, who are very driven and determined to succeed in every aspect of their lives. I am extremely proud of all of the FFA members at Cold Springs. As long as they keep the work ethic that they have shown me over the last two years, they will do very well in anything they choose to pursue.”
A 2016 video interview by RFD TV can be seen at http://qrne.ws/ffavideo, and other videos are available on YouTube.
Related: http://qrne.ws/ffa
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