..WORD JUST IN that the #1 downloaded CD in the world is JAMES LEE STANLEY & JOHN BATDORF's new "ALL WOOD & STONES II," their acoustic reimagining of Rolling Stones hits, part deux. Catch them playing the whole album live, Thursday at th...
..WORD JUST IN that the #1 downloaded CD in the world is JAMES LEE STANLEY & JOHN BATDORF's new "ALL WOOD & STONES II," their acoustic reimagining of Rolling Stones hits, part deux. Catch them playing the whole album live, Thursday at the Talking Stick in Venice, or Friday at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena. Read the extensive write-up in the 8 pm Friday listing, in this edition.. --------. FESTIVALS....Yes, this weekend brings superb MUSIC FESTIVALS:• SWINGIN’ ON A RIFF BIG BAND JAZZ FESTIVAL (May 23-26, in L.A.) • SCOTTISH HIGHLAND GAMES (May 25 & 26, Costa Mesa) • SIMI VALLEY CAJUN & BLUES FESTIVAL (May 25 & 26, Simi Valley) • TOPANGA DAYS FESTIVAL (May 25-27, in Topanga)+All are in the Guide's current FULL EDITION, and much more about these fine events (and others) will be along Thursday.. --------. THIS edition brings youNEWS: Competition Winners -- Topanga Banjo•Fiddle Contest+PLUS:Great WEB RADIO tonight, andLATE ADDITIONS to the LIVE MUSIC scene, through Friday.. --------. NEWS:.Winners of the competitions:53rd annual "TOPANGA BANJO•FIDDLE CONTEST & FOLK FESTIVAL" ..All were determined, announced, and awarded Sunday at Paramount Ranch in Agoura Hills, California. But that was late, and many attendees missed it. Here's the full compilation of all the winners in each category. The Guide adds our congratulations to each of these devoted musicians..Note that categories exist for entrants did not register. A "Beginning" category (for example) may not be here because entrants registered at higher levels..."BAND" Category:.1. The Bluegrass Hoppers, Los Angeles 2. String Project L.A., Culver City 3. TED, Long Beach.."TRADITIONAL BANJO -- ADVANCED" Category:.1. Scott Linford, Los Angeles 2. Chris Lauer, Lompoc 3. Christopher Murphy, San Diego.."TRADITIONAL BANJO -- INTERMEDIATE" Category:.1. Laura Osborn, Glendale 2. Michael Ostgaard, San Clemente 3. Mark Thompson, Buena Park.."BLUEGRASS BANJO -- ADVANCED" Category:.1. Quinton Fults, Fountain Valley 2. Sean Conlon, San Pedro 3. Ken Leiboff, Newbury Park.."BLUEGRASS BANJO -- INTERMEDIATE" Category:. 1. Betsy Brandel, Seal Beach 2. Lee Cotter, Chatsworth 3. Aaron Wardell, Ventura.."BLUEGRASS BANJO -- BEGINNING" Category:.1. Christy Saute, Reseda 2. Mason Unthank, Santa Clarita 3. C. Jean Pearlstein, Valley Village.."FIDDLE -- ADVANCED" Category:.1. Tony Ludiker, Valley Village 2. Grant Wheeler, Los Angeles 3. Laurie Kost, Pacific Grove Honorable Mention: Aisha Rigert, Lancaster.."FIDDLE -- INTERMEDIATE" Category:.1. Amaya Rose Dempsey, Paso Robles 2. Jordan Ezquerro, Rancho Santa Marguerita 3. Mari Haig, Dana Point.."FIDDLE -- BEGINNING" Category:.1. Elijah Kaak, Pomona 2. Luisa Bryson, Los Angeles 3. Christine Lee, Canyon Country.."MANDOLIN -- ADVANCED" Category:.1. Jonathan Trawick, Vancouver, WA 2. Joseph D’Amico, Los Angeles 3. Pamela Croft, Castaic 4. Andrew O’Neal, Ojai.."FLAT-PICKING GUITAR -- ADVANCED" Category:.1. Robert Rosen, Los Alamitos 2. Jonah Warschaw, West Hills 3. Mark Heyes, Agoura 4. Jeffrey Riggs, Sherman Oaks.."OTHER -- INSTRUMENTS" Category:. 1. “Jerry Scott” Edelnant, of Northridge, for Finger-Style Guitar2. Samantha Harvey, of Ventura, for Accordion3. Craig Lincoln, of Woodland Hills, for Finger-Style GuitarHonorable Mention: Chuck Lawhon, of Huntington Beach, for Mountain Dulcimer.."SINGING" Category:.1. Travelin’ Light, Santa Clarita 2. Sabrina & Craig, Woodland Hills 3. Homesick Elephant, Los Angeles Honorable Mention: Harmonistas, ClaremontHonorable Mention: Phoebe Bridgers, Pasadena.."BEGINNING INSTRUMENTS -- TRADITIONAL BANJO, FLAT-PICKING GUITAR, MANDOLIN (inclusive)" Category:.1. Anya Sturm, of Santa Monica, for Flat-Picking Guitar2. Michael Cavanaugh, of Mission Hills, for Flat-Picking Guitar3. Samantha Harvey, of Ventura, for Mandolin.."BEST BACKUP GUITAR" Category:.1. Tony Ludiker, Valley Village 2. Jonathan Trawick, Vancouver, WA 3. Laura Osborn, Glendale Honorable Mention: Evan Anderson, Orange.."OTHER BACKUP INSTRUMENTS" Category:.