| Contest | Place | Year |
|---|---|---|
| National Mandolin Championship | First | 2012 |
Jacob Joliff, Berklee College graduate of Newberg, OR was a first time attendee at the Festival in 2012. Jacob is a professional musician and he is a member of a group called “Joy Kills Sorrow.” He said he has wanted to come to the festival for a long time and give the mandolin contest a shot. He took the time off from the band and came. You see, the band travels 200 plus days per year all over the USA and Europe. In addition to the mandolin, Jacob plays the guitar. He says there are a good number of great musicians who attend the Walnut Valley Festival and he enjoys their company and the camaraderie. This slim trim young man loves running and perhaps that is why he is that way. But then he says he loves eating tasty food. As a result of his first place finish, Jacob won $275, the 1st Place Trophy and a Weber Fern “F” mandolin by Weber Fine Acoustic Instruments of Manhattan, MT.