The bass player in our band talked us into participating in a "pickin" contest last weekend. I've never been to one and I'm not at all into competition, but finally agreed to do this as an adventure and experience. Now that it's over, I'm thinking it brings out the worst in people: GREED, ENVY, DIVISIVENESS, DISSATISFACTION, DISAPPOINTMENT, HOSTILITY, DISLOYALTY, DECEPTION, PRIDE, SELF-DOUBT, etc.

We actually did pretty well, all things considered, but the experience left a nasty knot in my gut. Frank came in 1st place in the Old-Time Banjo contest with me accompanying him on guitar. I was really PROUD of his win (he beat out some terrific players) but also DISSATISFIED that the accompanist (me) was totally ignored in all the hoopla. We had always thought of this piece as a duet, so it cast a shadow of DIVISIVENESS. However, I GREEDILY stuffed the prize money into my pocket.

Then -- several hours later -- came the vocal contest. Frank and I accompanied Paul, who is a fine singer in our band. He did not win, place or show. People in the audience later said that he was great, but they couldn't even hear the accompaniment. Hours of stress waiting and preparing for the event, and he was summarily wiped out while we weren't even heard.

Then -- after another long wait -- came the band contest. By this time, it was so late that most of the audience had left, we had spent most of the day behind the stage practicing or accompanying people, hadn't eaten all day, were dead tired. Up to this point, we thought our 5-piece bluegrass band was pretty good. They allowed each group to do one song. We knew our song cold, practiced it anyway, and did a good job on stage. Our bass player was asked to also play bass for another pick-up band that needed one. He asked for our O.K. (DISLOYALTY?) and we said sure, that would be O.K. since we didn't consider the other group any competition, and laughingly said just don't play as well for them as you do for us (DECEPTION?).

Our band came in 4th place and won some money. Our bass player's other pick-up band came in 3rd place. None of us cheered. Someone else might say, wow, be glad you got something! My reaction was DISAPPOINTMENT, ENVY, SELF-DOUBT, HOSTILITY, etc. Yeah, I know, immaturity, taking it all too seriously, lousy loser, etc. But I knew all that before I went . . .

As I looked around at the performers, my twisted vision suddenly saw everyone as a bunch of wannabe's, has-beens and mercenaries. The lure of the cash and the chance for "glory" was turning nice people into contest animals, me included.

Of the "seven deadly sins" we nailed four of them (pride, envy, greed, anger) skipping sloth (too busy), gluttony (too busy) and lust (too tired) by the time the day was done at 2 a.m.!

Yeeeeccccchhhh!

Is there a good side to these contests? I'd like to hear some of your stories and comments.