FIND A CONTRACTOR BUYER'S GUIDE
BECOME AN INDUSTRY PARTNER
MCAA Logo
MEMBER LOGIN JOIN
NEWS
2026 Midyear Meeting Registration is OPEN ↗

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.
 0
From Idea to Jobsite: Inside EZG’s R&D Process
May 2026

In the masonry industry, equipment is rarely developed in isolation. The most effective tools are shaped by real jobsite challenges and refined through contractor feedback. At EZG Manufacturing, research and development is a hands-on, iterative process th

Abigail Spung
MAP Partner
Read More
Announcing The MASONRY STRONG Network™
May 2026

The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) is proud to announce the MASONRY STRONG Network, a video-first multimedia platform. This marks the next chapter for the Association’s MASONRY, the brand that has informed and connected the trade for over

Dan Kamys
Read More
Manufactured Stone Veneer or Thin-Cut Natural Stone: Which One is Right for Your Next Project?
May 2026

Stone continues to be a go-to material in both residential and commercial construction, used for its texture, depth and ability to elevate a façade or interior space. For masons, general contractors, builders and design professionals looking for lightweig

Sarah Lograsso
MAP Partner
Read More
Celebrating Craftsmanship and Country
May 2026

The 250th anniversary of the United States is more than a date. It is a reflection of centuries of progress, innovation, and determination. STABILA has chosen to mark this milestone with a product that mirrors those same qualities. The Patriot Series Maso

Elsa Bueno
MAP Partner
Read More