Eric Welty

2017 - Second place went to a banjo player from Argyle, TX. Eric Welty is no stranger to this contest as back in the early 90s he entered this competition. This is his eighth time to enter and he won first place in 1993 and in 1990, 1991 and 2016 he placed third. By trade, Eric is a pilot for American Airlines and he has been was checked out to fly the Airbus 300. He says he likes flying the big bird! He has been playing the banjo for the past 43 years and when not playing the banjo he likes to restore old British automobiles. It was interesting to note that his son Gregg was also in this contest and Dad says he’ll keep coming back until Gregg wins the banjo contest. The 2nd Place trophy and the Deering Calico 5-String Banjo by Deering Banjo Company of Spring Valley, CA will be going back to Texas with him.

2016 - Third place went to a banjo player from Argyle, TX. Eric Welty is no stranger to this contest as back in the early 90s he entered this competition. This is his sixth time to enter and he made the cut to 5 in 1990, 1991 and 1993 and in 1993 he placed third. By trade, Eric is a pilot for American Airlines and he just recently was checked out to fly the Airbus 300. He says he is anxious to actually fly the big bird! He has been playing the banjo for the past 42 years and when not playing the banjo he likes to restore old British automobiles. The 3rd Place trophy and a Deering Eagle II Banjo by Deering Banjo Company of Spring Valley, CA will be going back to Texas with him.