Rick Patrick
rick@greenepublishing.com
Madison County native, John Beggs, 17, recently returned home from spending another Memorial Day weekend in Oxford, Miss., competing in the Junior Division of the World Championship Old-time Piano Playing Contest. Just as he has done once before, Beggs returned to Madison with a World Championship trophy, along with a gold medallion and a check for $1,000. This year makes the fourth time Beggs has taken part in the annual competition, and the second time he has earned top honors in the Junior Division, having won first place in 2022. “The competition is always a real joy,” said Beggs. “It’s such a blessing to hear so many talented musicians. It also encourages me to learn new techniques and to always be improving.”
During this year’s competition, which marked the 50th anniversary of the competition, Beggs performed “Alabama Bound,” by Ray Henderson and “Viper’s Drag,” by Fats Waller. In addition to the competition in Mississippi, Beggs also won the South East Piano Competition, held at Valdosta State University this past spring. He recently participated in the Belmont Summer Piano Invitational, in Nashville, Tenn. and participated in the Florida State University Piano Camp, in Tallahassee. Samples of Beggs’ music can be heard and his two CDs can be purchased on his website, www.johnbeggs.us.
The World Championship Old-time Piano Playing Contest began in 1975 and was a fundraiser for the Monticello (Illinois) Railway museum. In 2016, the contest moved to Oxford, Miss., the home of the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss). Over the years, the competition has drawn musicians from all over the world, including England, France, Mexico, Canada, Japan, Germany, as well as competitors from across the U.S. Many competitors have used the competition as a springboard for successful professional careers.
Beggs is a “rising senior,” but has finished high school. He has been home schooled and plans on dual-enrolling in the fall in order to not “get too used to the freedom.” He plans on studying music in college. “I am too old to compete in the junior division now so next year, if I’m not overloaded with practice for college, I will be in the regular division, which requires a great deal more dedication,” added Beggs.