Sharing a tune: Award-winning banjo picker at it again

For Weston, it was a dream that started at age 10 when he begged his momma for a banjo — an aspiration that has since brought him the acclaim of being named banjo champion in five different states eight times. He has taken the title twice in Georgia, Kentucky, and Mississippi and once in Tennessee and Indiana. He was also named the banjo champion of the 2010 Old Time Fiddlers Convention in Athens as well as a two-time Bobby Thompson Bluegrass Champion at Uncle Dave Macon Days. Since he started competing, Stewart has won more than 50 banjo competitions. One of his latest accomplishments meant dominating the Merlefest Banjo Contest in Wilkesboro, N.C. in late April and bringing home a brand-new Deering Eagle banjo valued at $2,400 along with other prizes including a gift certificate to Jackson’s Music.  Stewart put his fingers to the strings picking out the tune “Little Rock Getaway” for the win. Stewart, the son of Maria and Chuck Stewart of Anderson, started playing the banjo when he was 13 after saving $200 to purchase his first instrument. He credits the Old Time Fiddlers Convention in Athens for giving him the inspiration.  “I saw a banjo and liked the way it looked,” Stewart said. “They were strange looking. They didn’t look normal like a guitar does.” He credits a well-known Tennessee Valley musician for teaching him what he knows. “Scooter Muse was my mentor and he taught me a lot,” Weston said.  Robert “Scooter” Muse is a Florence native who has played with Alabama Bluegrass Hall of Famer Jake Landers, Clair Lynch, Vassar Clements and a host of others. Muse plays in the Celtic band “Henris Notions.

Technology Day Held at New Albany High School « New Albany Schools ...

The Career & Technical Education Department at New Albany High School hosted “Technology Day” on Friday, May 6.  The purpose of the day was to introduce New Albany High School and Career & Technical Education students to the advanced and diverse technology that is being used in industries.

Medical, law enforcement, government, and other agencies participated in the event and talked with students about the various types of technology they use in their jobs. 

One popular area where the students gathered was the Tennessee Valley Authority Tent.  The students learned about electrical safety and how electricity is generated. 

“Our students had the opportunity to learn where electricity comes from and that our hydroelectrical power comes from Pickwick Dam,” said Jalon Bullock, an instructor in the NAHS Career & Technical Department.   “The students were also interested in learning different tips about electrical safety.

Another exciting attraction for the students was watching the Air Evac helicopter land.  Students were given the opportunity to take a look inside the helicopter and talk with Air Evac personnel about technology they use in their daily work and the services they provide for the area.

Technology Day was made possible by these participating agencies:  Mississippi Department of Transportation; Army Corp of Engineers; Union County Search and Rescue Team; Baptist Memorial Hospital – Union County; Mississippi National Guard; Tennessee Valley Authority; Mississippi Organ Recovery; New Albany Police Department; Union County Sheriff’s Department; Mississippi Forestry Commission; Northeast Mississippi Community College; Air Evac; New Albany Fire Department; Mississippi Highway Patrol; and Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, & Parks.

Above:  The Air Evac helicopter lands during Technology Day.