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By Mary Beth Martin
Rappahannock News Staff Writer
This year marks the 50th year the International Organization of Lions Clubs has sponsored their annual James Bland Music Competition. The Theatre again hosted the local event on Sunday, Feb. 22 in Rappahannock.
The 14 contestants entertained the audience with their skill and talent. Three-time winners Dale Forrester and Rachel Lucas won first place overall in the instrumental and vocal categories, respectively, and they will advance to the regional competition at the Warrenton Junior High School on March 22.
Bob Scott, Rappahannock Lions Club member and former professional actor and producer, presided as master of ceremonies with the help of co-chairman, David Gillis who works with the Rappahannock County Band Boosters.
A number of Rappahannock Lions attended including Bob Anderson, Frank Warner, George Sharp, Mike Mahoney and John Hartline. The club donated $440 in prize money for the event.
The competition is judged in four categories, junior and senior vocal and instrumental, “to give the older youth a fair chance,” said Scott (and he wasn’t kidding). The vocalists and instrumentalists were equally divided this year. The talent pool changed somewhat since last year with the addition of a few new musicians, but notably missing were vocalist Margo Haynes and pianists James and Ben Kelly, all winners last year.
“Don’t confuse this as ‘bland’ music because of the name,” said Scott, who explained that James Bland was a creative and prolific song writer born in 1854 who composed the now controversial, “Carry Me Back to Ole Virginny.”
He played the banjo, sang, became internationally famous, but died a pauper in Philadelphia, Pa. In honor of his memory and his contribution to American music, the Lions Clubs established the annual Bland Music Competition.
The seven vocalists participating this year were Eleanor
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