Our Big News - Andy Hatfield "National Flatpicking Champion"

Andy Hatfield won 1st place in the Winfield Flatpicking Guitar Contest this summer.  In 2010 it was Andrew’s first trip to Winfield and the took 3rd in the contest. And great news! Andy will be returning to teach at the Riverfolk Jam Camp in 2012. Andrew caught the music bug at a young age from his parents: his mother a songwriter, and his father a well-respected banjo player. He studied music at Bradley University (B.S. 2001), where he played the french horn. Andrew has taught music privately for many years including 3 years at the Academy of Fretted Instruments in Peoria, and currently teaches full-time in Peoria, IL.  His dad bought him his first guitar, a '56 D28. Andrew plays the mandolin, banjo, bass and some fiddle and strangely enough he says “I was a French horn major in college.” Andrew lists his hobbies as basketball and ping pong but he adds music to that list. This experience is one he won’t forget and he can’t wait to come back. Andrew takes back to Peoria, IL a Taylor 8-String Baritone GS Guitar by Taylor Guitars of El Cajon, CA. Andy plays "Turkey in the Straw"