The Rising Star Challenge was a first for Blue Highway Fest, an International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) 2023 Event of the Year winner, and certainly won't be the last. The challenge brought some fresh new bluegrass artists to Big Stone Gap, VA, for a miniature singing competition for the Blue Highway Festival. Contestants submitted videos online and were eventually narrowed to eight contestants to kick off the Blue Highway Festival: Backline, Carolina Detour, Chancellor Lawson, Klerissa Fairchild, Ryder Casey, Thunder & Rain, Toby Williams, and Upstream Rebellion.
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The contestants were given 15 minutes each with hidden judges in the audience who then narrowed them down to four: Backline, Chancellor Lawson, Upstream Rebellion, and Carolina Detour. All eight contestants played great sets, and honestly, it would have been hard to be a judge. These four played later in the evening, competing at the Big Cherry Brewing Company downtown Big Stone Gap.
After a long night at Black Cherry, the contestants were narrowed down to Backline and Carolina Detour. These two bands kicked off the second day of Blue Highway Fest with a hefty crowd in attendance. Both bands rightfully deserved to win; however, Backline edged out Carolina Detour. Many perks, like an additional show at the Down Home and Station Inn, record a song with the option of Wayne Taylor of Blue Highway to produce and playing the main stage, went to the winning band, Backline.
Backline, a band out of Spartanburg, SC, won the judges over with consistently good picking and vocals, as should the winner. They were also our top pick; after watching the other competitors, you could tell they had been doing this for a while. They were polished and clean and were enjoying the moment. Katelyn Ingardia's uniquely unique, mature, and powerful tone helps them stand out.
The Rising Stars Challenge was a fantastic addition to this music festival. We truly enjoyed it, and so did the other festival attendees we spoke with. It's an excellent opportunity for young artists to get their foot in the door and meet some of the bluegrassers who have helped make a name for the genre.
The Rising Star Challenge showcased incredible talent and embodied the spirit of bluegrass. Backline's well-deserved victory is just the beginning of what promises to be a bright future for this rising band. With events like this, Blue Highway Fest solidifies its place as a breeding ground for the next generation of bluegrass stars, proving that the music is alive, well, and evolving in the hands of passionate new artists. We can't wait to see what the festival and its future stars have in store next
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