ARCHIVES: Click here to check out Scott's archived
web pages containing a journalistic view of his
musical endeavors through August 2008.  

Scott Gates, now a mandolin workshop instructor at the age of 16, returned to the Good Old Fashioned Festival in Hollister, CA this year as the leader of Pacific Ocean Bluegrass Band, the winners of the Topanga Banjo and Fiddle band contest in 2007. (Scott also won the same title in 2008 with The Muddy Buddies) Scott's vocals now match his mandolin prowess...

View at the Pick Inn, TN

A note from Jesse McReynolds and
his wife Joy:

"Dear Scott,
We really enjoyed meeting you and your Dad when you came to the Pick Inn!
Thanks for posting the pictures on your web-site.
God bless,
Jesse & Joy McReynolds"
The Pick Inn
Gallatin, TN 37066
(615)452-7321

On Sunday May 19th, 2008, the 48th annual Topanga Banjo and Fiddle Contest was held. Temperatures soared in to the 100's and the wind was very
slight. Scott went to the contest with two of his dearest friends, Cate and Molly Pearce to compete in the band competition as a trio called "The Muddy Buddys".
The kids have known each other since Kindergarten but became
reacquainted at last years competition where Scott and his Band Pacific
Ocean Bluegrass won the top honors as best band, Molly won for
intermediate Banjo and Cate won for best back up guitar. They entered
this years contest and performed two songs, "Fisher's Hornpipe" and
"The Fox". The crowd was blown away by their performance and the
instrumentals and the harmonies were tight and beautifully blended. Lo
and behold when the awards came out, the Muddy Buddys had won best band for 2008! So now Scott has won with two separate bands in back to back years in
the Best Band category in this prestigious contest, joining with such
previous winners as The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Nickel Creek. Quite
an honor and quite a weekend!

Here's the winning performance video: - courtesy of Bruce Beyerle

Congratulations!!
2007 Topanga Banjo & Fiddle Contest Winners