| Contest | Place | Year |
|---|---|---|
| National Bluegrass Banjo Championship | First | 1998 |
| National Bluegrass Banjo Championship | Second | 2013 |
| National Bluegrass Banjo Championship | Second | 2008 |
| National Bluegrass Banjo Championship | Second | 1997 |
| National Bluegrass Banjo Championship | Third | 2009 |
| National Bluegrass Banjo Championship | Third | 1992 |
Sonny now plays at Dollywood during the day in the Smoky Mountain Stringband. At night he plays at the Smoky Mountain Jubilee in Pigeon Forge,Tennessee, where he plays banjo and fiddle.