- About
- Future Students
- Academics
Academic Resources
- Current Students
My MHU ToolsAdult & Graduate Studies
- Athletics
- Alumni / Give
The Bascom Lamar Lunsford Award has been given out since 1980 to individuals who have made significant contributions to the folk, musical, and/or dance traditions of the
southern mountain region.
The 2023 Lunsford Awards go to Dr. David W. Robinson + John Roten.
Dr. David Robinson (1967-2022) was as an alum of Mars Hill University and was a lifelong resident of Mars Hill. He played at the Lunsford Festival for many, many years. He held a doctorate in education, was the principal of Madison High School, and was an avid singer, fiddler, and guitar player. We are honored to be able to present this award to such a deeply-beloved member of the community.
John Roten has been the Master of Ceremonies for the daytime festival for many years. In addition to his work with the festival, Roten has also worn many hats with iHeartMedia but most often can be seen around the region in one of his trademark cowboy hats. John was the host of the very popular Kiss Country Classics program in Asheville and Sunday morning’s WESC Country Classics in Greenville, South Carolina. Roten grew up in Western North Carolina and knows the region and the people that live in these wonderful mountains. We are grateful to him for his help in keeping the festival running smoothly.
Past Winners
2022: Bobby Hicks
2021: David Holt
2020: Festival was held virtually, due to the pandemic, so no award was given
2019 Loretta Freeman
2018 Brian Hunter
2017 Jeff Atkins
2016 Carol Rifkin
2015 Peter Gott
2014 Nick Hallman
2013 George Banks
2012 Boyd Black / Kathryn Parham (Lunsford Youth Award)
2011 Paul Crouch
2010 David Shelton
2009 Leonard Hollifield
2008 Laura Boosinger
2007 Vernon and Ruth Riddle
2007 Doug Phillips
2006 Jerry Sutton
2005 Joe Penland / Donna Ray Norton, Denise Norton O’Sullivan , & Melanie Rice (Lunsford Youth Award)
2004 Bobby McMillon
2004 Loyal Jones (Minstrel of the Appalachians Award)
2003 Marilyn McMinn-McCredie
2003 Mrs. Nelia Hyatt
2002 Terry Freeman
2002 Marvin Faulkner
2001 Ralph Lewis
2001 Vickie Hensley
2000 R. Kirk Randleman
2000 Buddy Davis
1999 Lena Jean Ray
1999 Roger Howell / Josh Goforth (Lunsford Youth Award)
1998 Bailey Mountain “Square” Dancers
1998 Don Pedi
1998 Jerry Adams
1997 Sheila Kay Adams
1996 Gary Spence
1996 Hilary Dirlam
1995 Luke Smathers
1994 Johnny Rhymer
1993 Richard Dillingham
1993 Wayne Pressley
1992 Ralph Fox
1991 Danny Johnson
1990 Carroll Best
1989 Arvil Freeman
1988 Ernest “Red” Ivester
1988 Ray Hutchinson
1987 Dellie Norton
1987 Mack Snoderly
1986 Thelma Parham
1986 Chub Parham
1986 Lamar Lunsford
1986 Quay Smathers
1985 Gordon Freeman
1984 Obray Ramsey
1983 Ed Howard
1982 Carl Chandler
1982 Betty Smith
1981 Byard Ray
1980:Tommy Hunter