1st Place: New North String Band
2nd Place: East Hill Bluegrass Band
3rd Place: Evergreen Grass Band

Guitars, standup basses, banjos, harmonies, and maybe a mandolin for good luck: the basic recipe for a good old bluegrass band. The Midwest is blessed with a thriving bluegrass scene, and once again our particular geographic pie slice is no exception. The New North String Band came on the scene in 2008, and since then has blown up into a popular, busy, and exceptionally well-dressed group of men harmonizing their way all over the place. The East Hill Bluegrass Band is a local favorite, strumming and singing with tight vocals that hold a virtual corner on the description “high and lonesome.” The Evergreen Grass Band has rapidly made the jump from open mic house band to certifiable touring troubadours. And as it turns out, bluegrass can still be pretty fun even if it’s staying green. – Aryn Widule