Rules

The Resonator Guitar National Championship (RGNC) is an acoustic music contest for lap-style resonator guitar players.

For the purposes of this contest, lap-style resonator guitar is defined as: A guitar containing a metal resonator(s) that is positioned with the back of the guitar pointing toward the ground; plucked or strummed with the fingers, a plectrum or picks; and chorded or fretted only with a glass, steel, or ceramic slide or steel tonebar.

The contest is open to anyone except paid or billed performers of the festival.

Acceptable music styles include: Bluegrass, Old-time, Western Swing, Blues, Celtic, Jazz, New Acoustic, and Gospel. Individual arrangements and improvised versions of songs that fit these categories are what the judges are looking for.

Unacceptable music styles include: Rock, Heavy Metal, Classical, Pop, Rap.

Song medleys are not allowed.

Tunings other than the common G tuning are allowed.

Tuning devices such as D-tuners, Hipshot(tm), and palm pedals are not allowed.

Electronic devices such as processors are not allowed.

Instruments with more than six (6) strings are not allowed.

Contestants may not have more than one instrument on the stage.

If a contestant breaks a string, he/she may repeat the song he/she was playing.

Each contestant is allowed one backup musician playing any instrument other than a resonator guitar. No electrified instruments allowed. Paid or billed performers of the festival may not accompany a contestant.

Contestants will play 2 songs in the preliminary round, and if finishing in the top five, 2 songs in the finals.

Repeats of preliminary songs will not be allowed in the finals.

Time limit is 3 minutes per song.

Contestants names will not be announced. Contestants are not allowed to speak into the microphone on stage.

Previous champions are not allowed to compete until the fifth year after their win. (ie. 2003 champion can compete again in 2008).

Contestants should report at 9:00AM to sign in.