There has been some great stuff for bluegrass guitar players
of late. Last month saw a concert by solo guitar phenom David Grier held at Old
Time Music store. David, ranked as one of the 10 top guitar players of the
decade by Acoustic Guitar magazine,
presents a truly remarkable solo show. It takes some courage to put on a solo
show of flat pick guitar with no singing. But, David can pull it off and
remains one of the most respected and admired guitar players of our generation.
Coming up this month on Saturday, September 11 from 10:30am
to 12 noon, also at Old Time Music store, will be a bluegrass rhythm guitar
workshop taught by Chris Stuart. Chris is the leader of Chris Stuart and Backcountry and is a sought after teacher of
rhythm guitar. Every serious bluegrass guitar player should spend time studying
rhythm techniques, and a workshop with Chris is a good opportunity. The art of
rhythm guitar in a bluegrass band is greatly underrated but is perhaps the
single most important aspect of a successful band. Working with the bass
player, the rhythm guitar player's job is to get the band into "the pocket" and
drive the band with that classic bluegrass rhythm.
If one
listens to the truly great bluegrass bands, one will invariably find a great,
anchoring rhythm guitar player. Give a listen to the early Bill Monroe and his Bluegrass Boys recordings anchored by Lester
Flatt on rhythm guitar, and to the great work produced by Flatt and Scruggs, again anchored by Lester Flatt on rhythm guitar.
In the more modern era, give a listen to the Del McCoury Band anchored by Del's outstanding rhythm guitar, to
the Seldom Scene anchored by Dudley
Connell's flawless rhythm guitar, or to any of the other great contemporary
bluegrass bands. And, give a listen to Chris Stuart's excellent rhythm work on
any of the Chris Stuart and Backcountry recordings. But be prepared: playing
good bluegrass rhythm guitar is not easy. It takes knowledge, technique, and
lots of practice, but is worth the effort. The fee for the workshop is $20. To
sign up, contact Old Time Music at (619)-280-9035. You won't regret it! By the
way, look for Old Time Music to move to a new and better location sometime his
fall.
Serious bluegrass guitar players
will also want to check out the new book on Tony Rice just released by Word of
Mouth press and written by Tim Stafford of Blue Highway and Carolyn Wright.
Titled Still Inside, the Tony Rice Story,
this fine book addresses every aspect of the most influential bluegrass guitar
player of all time. Yes, there are other great guitar players who have had
great influence, ranging from Clarence White and Doc Watson to Bryan Sutton and
David Grier, but none has had the influence and longevity of Tony Rice. You
will find this very readable book full of tidbits about Tony, written by his
friends and musical colleagues over the years, and you will learn a lot about
the sometimes enigmatic and private Tony Rice as well. There are lots of great
pictures and an entire chapter on "the antique," which is what Tony calls his
1935 Martin D-28 guitar, which originally belonged to Clarence White. The book
can be ordered at: http://www.tonyricestory.com.
If you're
not totally exhausted from bluegrass, having enjoyed the Summergrass Festival
last month, September has a couple of nice bluegrass events coming up as well.
Held over the weekend of September 18 and 19 is the 40th annual Julian
Bluegrass Music Festival and Banjo and Fiddle contest. The performers include
the Gates Hailes Collaboration, Trails and Rails, and the traditional banjo and
fiddle competitions.
Coming up
the following weekend on Saturday, September 25 will be the first annual Santee
Gourmet Food Wine and Bluegrass Festival. Held at the beautiful new Santee
Community Park, this event will feature gourmet food and wine from local and
regional merchants and will present two outstanding bluegrass bands: Gone Tomorrow and Shirthouse Band. The action takes place from 5-9:30 pm. For
information visit: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Santee-Wine-and-Bluegrass-Festival/303940761520.
Summergrass, what a great bluegrass
festival! Michael Cleveland and
Flamekeeper, Chris Stuart, Special Consensus, Bluegrass Etc., and all the
other bands were outstanding; the weather was perfect, the crowds mellow, and
the experience memorable. If you missed it, mark your calendar for next year.
Here are few shots from acclaimed photographer Dennis Andersen taken at this
year's Summergrass.