In recognition of those stalwart sidemen (and side-women) who are willing to hang out till all hours, traverse great distances, listen to endless moaning about the quality of the judging, the temperature of the beer and the tanginess of the mutton sauce, all for a shot at 20 percent of some miserly fiddler's meager contest winnings. It's a tough job but somebody's gotta do it. Deceased players are in RED type.
Guitarists
Kenny Applebee, Rush Hill; Wes Brown, Versailles; Dennis Buckhannon, St. Charles; Mr. Jim Nelson, St. Louis; John "Geetar" Stewart, Seattle, WA; Bus Maddox, Fulton; Mickey Soltys, Carbondale, IL; Mike "Wichita" Miller, Evanston, IL; Nelson Garber, Hale; Fred Stoneking, Springfield; Alvie Dooms, Ava; Allen Wyatt, Independence; Alita Stoneking, Versailles; Doug Smith, Medway, OH; Floyd Kemp, Mexico; Joe Stevens, Montgomery City; Harry Careaker, Bucklin; Charlie Daugherty, Tina; Matt Wyatt, Independence; Jr. Marriott, Versailles; Harry Griffin, Hallsville; John Griffin, Fulton; Ola Gathright, Tebbetts; Dave Copeland, Ottumwa, IA; Heinrich Leonhard, Columbia; Dave Para, Boonville; Gary "Sparko" Sparks, Columbia; John Stark, Tina; Steve Hall, Houston.
Pianists (also, pump organs and piano accordions):
R. P Christeson, Auxvasse; Emily Buckhannon, St. Charles; Dorothy Porter (Pete McMahan's sister), St. Charles; Patt Plunkett, Evanston, IL; Mrs. Nolan Boone, Mexico; Musial Wolfe, Boonville, Dwight Grover, Wellsville;
Banjoists (five-string):
Jack Deck, Marshall; Gary Watson, Womack; Dave Landreth, St. Louis; Lena Hughes, Ludlow; Jimmy Ruth, Columbia; Cathy Barton-Para, Boonville; Jim McGreevy, Kansas City;
Bassists:
Forrest Rose, Columbia; Kathy Portz, O'Fallon, IL; Valerie Mindel, Evanston, IL;
Tenor Banjo/Guitar
Herb Thornton, Columbia; Guy Craighead, Fulton
Mandolin
Cuzzin Curt Buckhannon, Florrisant; Joe Hinkebein, Springfield, IL