Thank You For A Great First Barnburner

Thank you to everyone who made the Barnburner a raucous success! We can’t wait to do it again next year!

In fact we are building the Grand Prize right now. A guitar named “Blue Flame”. Read it’s story below

A table displaying various flyers and promotional materials for an event called Outlander's Odyssey, featuring cartoonish yellow characters, a guitar illustration, and text indicating entertainment and activities. In the background, people are socializing at an indoor venue with guitars and a sign that reads 'DEL OIL'.
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Event poster for Outlanders Progressive Bluegrass Social Club featuring two beer-themed bluegrass events on September 27, 2025, at Copperworks Kenmore, with performances by Outlanders Opry, Melter Brothers, Green Watermelon, The Long Dark, The Lonesome Town Painters, and Outlanders House Band, and a bluegrass guitar competition called The Barnburner with qualification details and judging criteria, sponsored by various organizations, with live music and a QR code for more info.

The
Barnburner

The only flatpicking competition
in the PNW. Held in conjunction with
the Outlanders Opry.

September 27, 2025
Copperworks Distilling - Kenmore
324 NE 175th Street, Kenmore, WA 98028

Facebook Event Page

GRAND PRIZES

Close-up of an acoustic guitar's body, showing the sound hole, pickguard, and strings against a dark background.

1st

2020 Martin
D18 Custom Shop

Close-up of an acoustic guitar with a wood finish, six strings, a bridge, and a circular sound hole with a rosette, and a dark tortoise pickguard, set against a black background.

2nd

2025 Eastman
E8D

Other Prizes

Close-up of a decorative guitar headstock with tuning pegs, a small jewelry box with a logo reading 'ToneSlabs TS' on the lid, and a coil of copper wire with colored tabs, all placed on a beige surface.

Custom Toneslabs For All Finalists

Man playing an acoustic guitar on stage with brick walls and stage lights in the background.

Lessons with
The Jake Eddy

So How Do I Win These….

Judging will be based on:

  • Originality

  • Timing

  • Style

  • Difficulty of material

  • Execution and clarity

  • Overall performance

  • Adherence to Bluegrass guitar tradition

Flatpicking and Travis-style fingerpicking are both allowed. One accompanist is permitted — no vocals, no electric instruments.

A man with dark hair and a beard wearing a striped shirt and camera strap around neck, standing outdoors with trees and cloudy sky in background.

Judge Roger Ferguson,
National Flatpicking Champion (Winfield, KS)

    • Junior Division (Under 21)
      Limited to the first 5 applicants. Entry is free.

    • Open Division (All Ages)
      Limited to the first 20 applicants. $25 entry fee

    Spots are limited — first come, first served!

    • 1st Place 2020 Custom Shop Martin D18

    • 2nd Place Eastman E8d

    • Finalist Receive Custom Toneslab Pick to their specs

  • Junior Division goes first — one tune, up to 3 minutes.

    Open Division follows — one tune, up to 3 minutes.

    Top 5 Open Division finalists advance to the playoff round, performing two more tunes (3 minutes each). This occurs during the Opry.

    Winners announced during the headlining band’s final set — and get a chance to sit in for a song!

    All tunes must be public domain or original composition

Sign Up Today

Application

Or Maybe you got some questions…

Send Bill Your Questions!