Waylon Bayes, of Johnson County, took the Best of Show and Best Soloist Awards at the Gospel Music Showcase at the Kentucky State Fair.

By John Herndon, KentuckySings.com

One of the coolest features of the Kentucky State Fair is the annual Gospel Music Showcase, presented by  the Kentucky Farm Bureau. It’s evolved over the years from a quartet contest, to a showcase featuring soloists, trios, quartets and other size groups all singing gospel.

The 2018 showcase drew 12 different acts from around the state who played before a nice crowd in the South Wing of the Kentucky Exposition Center. Waylon Bayes, a teenager representing Johnson County, in the mountains of eastern Kentucky, took the Best Soloist and Best of Show awards. He will receive over $1,000 in cash prizes, trophies and ribbons. He will also receive $1,000 in complimentary promotion in the Kentucky Farm Bureau News.

Higher Praise, of Muhlenberg County in the western part of the state, took the Best Quartet award and The Waymakers, from the Lexington area, received the Best Gospel Variety award.  Higher Praise and The Waymakers receive $400 in cash prizes, trophies and ribbons.

Be sure to check out the photo gallery with photos of every act, except one, that competed.  (Sorry, but traffic did not cooperate with me on the way in and I was unable to get pictures of the first group.)

The Waymakers, of Fayette County, won the Best Gospel Variety award.

Highest Praise Quartet, of Muhlenberg County, took the Best Quartet award.