A young bluegrass band from Owensboro is gaining national attention as they compete for a chance to perform at one of the country’s premier festivals — and they’re now asking for the public’s help to get there.
The Blue Bridge Boys are finalists in the “Battle of the Banjos,” a fan-voted competition tied to the Earl Scruggs Music Festival. The winner will earn a performance slot at the festival, which features some of the biggest names in bluegrass, Americana, and roots music.
The competition has entered its final round, with the winner determined entirely by online voting.
Cruz Edwards, a 15-year-old member of the band, said the opportunity could be a major step forward.
“I think it has potential to be, because when in the music world, when you get invited to one festival, chances are somebody’s going to see you, invite you to the next one,” Edwards said. “So it’s kind of just like a chain reaction type of thing.”
Edwards said the band has been playing together for four to five years and has recently built a following on social media.
The group includes Edwards, guitarist Levi Hausner, fiddler Parker Malone, and band member Noah Mason, who appears in their competition video but would not be able to attend the festival if they win.
Malone said the band was excited to reach the final round after submitting an application.
“We sent in an application, and they accepted it, and we got into the final round,” Malone said. “Now the public gets to vote, and they’re going to decide who wins.”
If selected, the band would perform at the festival — an opportunity Malone said could elevate their profile.
“Yes, that’s what we’re hoping,” Malone said. “That would be really cool. This is a big bluegrass festival.”
The band is currently encouraging supporters to vote online as they compete against other rising artists.
“To win it right now, we’re just trying to get people to vote for us on their website,” Malone said. “Anybody can vote.”
Malone added that the band has already received strong community support.
“Thank you to all the people who have voted for us,” he said. “We really appreciate it.”
Voting is open to the public through the festival’s website.
