Contestants will be prepared to play four instrumental numbers. Two numbers will be played in the first round of competition and the other two in the final round should the contestant be selected as a finalist. CONTESTANT MAY PLAY ANY STYLE OF MUSIC, BUT FLAT PICK AND SLIDE TECHNIQUES ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE. Contestants may use thumb and finger picks. NO FLAT PICK. A 12-string guitar is acceptable. Special tunings will be allowed. However, the contestant will NOT be allowed to take two instruments on stage. Standard or traditional style capos may be used, but no capos which allow the alteration of individual strings, such as the Third Hand Capo, will be allowed. We will accept only forty contestants. Contestants must be registered before 2:00 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17 at the Contest Registration Trailer and be present at the contest stage at 2:30 p.m. to draw for order of appearance and receive final instructions. Winners will be announced immediately and will receive their awards after the contest on Stage IV. The top 3 winners will be required to play in a Friday night performance on Stage I.