General Shale hosts the 2014 Eastern Tennessee SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500® Regional competition

Words: Troy IrbyThe 2014 SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500® Regional Competition for Eastern Tennessee was held at General Shale, in Piney Flats, TN on August 16, 2014. Nine teams of brick masons and tenders vied for a competition spot in the 2015 SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 National competition held in Las Vegas, Nevada. There, they will compete for over $100,000 in cash and prizes including a new 2015 Ford F-250 4x4 Super Duty XLT truck.

Fred Campbell, a mason and owner of Creative Masonry, Greeneville, TN, and his mason tender Tony Shelton, edged out the rest of the competition to take home first place. His net count of 600 brick got the job done. Not only did first place carry the opportunity to compete in the 2015 SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 in Las Vegas for Campbell, but it also came with $500 in cash, a Marshalltown tool bag and trowel, and sponsors hats, shirts, etc. The SPEC MIX TOP CRAFTSMAN Award also went to Fred Campbell. Brian Springer, of Relyt Construction, Kingsport, TN finished as runner up taking home $200 in cash, a Marshalltown tool bag and trowel, and sponsors hats, shirts and other various prizes. Third place went to mason Doug Nelson of All About Masonry, Piney Flats, TN, who received $150 in cash, a Marshalltown tool bag and trowel, and sponsor hats, shirts and other various prizes.

General Shale hosted the event and offered the perfect venue to give back to the local masons and their families. The weather was perfect, the food was great, and the games were fun for all. If you have ever wanted to watch nine teams give it all they have for one hour, then this was the competition to see. At the end of the day, backs were sore, smiles were big, and there was physical proof of a job well done.

Final Results

First Place

Mason — Fred Campbell - 600 Brick Tender — Tony Shelton
Creative Masonry, Greeneville, TN

SPEC MIX TOP CRAFTSMAN

Mason — Fred Campbell - 600 Brick Tender — Tony Shelton
Creative Masonry, Greeneville, TN

2nd Place

Mason — Brian Springer - 464 Brick Tender — Keith Springer
Relyt Construction, Kingsport, TN

3rd Place

Mason — Doug Nelson - 435 Brick Tender — Jason Nelson
All About Masonry, Piney Flats, TN

For more information on the SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER Regional Program call 888-SPECMIX or go to www.specmixbricklayer500.com.
Is Contact with Wet Mortar or Grout Dangerous?
April 2026

In the world of masonry, few materials are as common as mortar and grout. Whether you are laying brick, concrete masonry units (CMU), or pouring grout into masonry walls, wet cement and mortar are constant companions. However, beneath their utility lies a

The Importance of Instructor Support
April 2026

Whether you are a new or veteran masonry instructor, we all need support throughout our careers. We can never stop learning, and keeping up with ever-changing technology, materials, and installation techniques can be overwhelming alongside the everyday pr

Vibing Masonry #11: Innovative Concrete Masonry Technologies in Healthcare Design
April 2026

In the high-stakes environment of healthcare design, every material choice is a clinical decision. Architects, engineers, and facility administrators are tasked with creating spaces that are not only resilient and code-compliant but also conducive to heal

Why Termination Bars Still Matter: A Practical Look at Long‑Term Flashing Performance
April 2026

In recent discussions across the masonry industry, I have heard termination bars described as “old school.” The implication is that with modern materials, primerless peel-and-stick flashings, advanced sealants, and structural insulated sheathing, mechanic