Contest | Place | Year |
---|---|---|
National Flat Pick Guitar Championship | First | 1996 |
National Flat Pick Guitar Championship | First | 1989 |
Walnut Valley Mandolin Championship (1976-2009) | Second | 1993 |
National Flat Pick Guitar Championship | Third | 2006 |
In 2006, the third place trophy, and a Taylor GS Guitar by Taylor Guitars of El Cajon, CA went to a two-time Flat Pick Champion Gary cook of Durango, CO. Bill is a regular entertainer at the B & D Chuckwagon in Durango. Gary won this contest in 1989 and 1996 and has placed 2nd in the mandolin contest. He says, “I’ve been playing this instrument forever, and I also play the mandolin, bass, dobro and banjo.” He started playing at a very young age as his family played together when he was young. Today he has two brothers who are also professional musicians. As a professional musician he plays some 200 shows annually, but he says, “Winfield is my favorite.” Gary is very much a family man and you can tell this as you talk to him about his family; “We have a new baby, 13 months old named Chloe and my wife Brigette and I are enjoying all that she has brought to our lives!”