Steven Moore is an Ohio banjo player who has won the National Bluegrass Banjo Championship at the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kansas, three times: in 2008, 2015, and 2025. Only Gary “Biscuit” Davis, with five wins, has won the title more often. His first solo album is Just a Little Talk with Myself.
Why Moore matters
Moore has won the biggest banjo contest in the country three times across 17 years.
Life and career
Moore won the Winfield banjo contest in 2008, entered from Bethesda, Ohio. He won again in 2015 and 2025, entered from St. Clairsville, Ohio. Bluegrass Today notes that he has won multiple banjo championships. His first solo project is Just a Little Talk with Myself.
Playing style
Moore plays contest-level bluegrass banjo.
Essential recordings
Just a Little Talk with Myself
Awards and honors
National Bluegrass Banjo Championship, Walnut Valley Festival, first place (2008) National Bluegrass Banjo Championship, Walnut Valley Festival, first place (2015) National Bluegrass Banjo Championship, Walnut Valley Festival, first place (2025)
What to learn from Moore
Enter a local banjo contest. Pick two tunes you know cold, one fast and one in a different key. The technique to steal is preparation. Moore came back to Winfield across three decades and won each time.
Sources
Walnut Valley Festival winners archive, alphabetical (PDF) Steven Moore archives, Bluegrass Today
Related players
See the banjo players hub and the bluegrass banjo guide for more pickers. Brandon Green and Mike Sumner are also multiple Winfield banjo champions.