Learn from the Best at a Musical Workshop in the Meadow
Jeff Gentner, Getty Images
Hey, musicians – wanna work with some of this year’s bluegrass masters? Long Road Home will be putting on a workshop Saturday, August 6th. Sunday, August 7th, Boulder Acoustic Society is holding a workshop, and Chris Elliott from Spring Creek is holding a banjo workshop. Buy your festival tickets, bring your instruments, and have a great time! Get all the info after the jump:
Saturday, August 6 – Presented by Long Road Home
Pete Wernick – Banjo…
He’s been the hot-picking force in several trend-setting bands, from Hot Rize to Men With Banjos and Long Road Home. A pioneer in bluegrass music instruction, his banjo camps, bluegrass jam camps and clinics have inspired players nationwide and overseas. Pete has performed with many musical legends – Bill Monroe, Earl Scruggs and Steve Martin, to name a few. Pete has this to say about his bluegrass music camps: “I really enjoy helping people learn how to play. It’s about fun, and it’s also about real results with lasting value. Many campers have told me the camp has changed their lives. That’s my biggest reward.”
Martin Gilmore – Guitar…
He grew up around bluegrass, folk, acoustic, rock and roll, jazz and pop music – all of which are present in his writing and performances. From the age of 14 on, his focus has been on bluegrass and acoustic music, with an extreme emphasis on guitar and songwriting. In 2006, Long Road Home won the nationally acclaimed RockyGrass band competition with several of Martin’s original compositions.
Justin Hoffenberg – Fiddle…
When he was in 5th grade, Justin began playing the violin and shortly after, discovered bluegrass. Justin has shared the stage with such performers as Yonder Mountain String Band, The Infamous String Dusters, Cadillac Sky and more.
Jordan Ramsey – Mandolin…
attended East Tennessee State University and played with the school’s top bluegrass ensemble from ’05 – ’07. He honed his McReynolds’ style crosspicking skills and shared the stage with stars like Porter Wagoner, Ralph Stanley, Alison Krauss and Dan Tyminski. In addition to playing with LRH, Jordan works as a free-lance musician and teaches private lessons at his home studio in Boulder.
Gene Libbea – Bass…
Formerly of the Nashville Bluegrass Band, he’s a 2-time Grammy-winning bass player. He’s worked with greats such as Alison Brown, Charlie Louvin and The New Christy Minstrels. Now making his home in Loveland, CO, Gene works as a sound engineer, and is also a part-time filmmaker.
Sunday, August 7 – Presented by Boulder Acoustic Society
Scott McCormick – Accordion/Keys/Vocals…
Starting in gospel churches in South Chicago, the young pianist discovered the foundational aspects of his playing and singing. Moving through blues, jazz, and r & b, he was able to expand his palette and hone his piano playing. He learned about folk through his father’s interest in Tom Waits and Bob Dylan. As an avid listener of late ’70s and early ’80s hardcore, Scott found common ground with other rising young folk musicians hoping to instill a more driving edge to the music of their fathers. Among those were the boys of Boulder Acoustic Society.
Aaron Keim – Guitar/Banjo/Lap Steel/Ukulele/Vocals…
a roots music renaissance man. Aaron performs traditional and original folk music on guitar, ukulele and banjo (which he builds himself!). Inspired by depression era string band music, old timey gospel, lo-fi garage rock and the modern indie-folk scene, Aaron is a compelling mix of old and new.
Neil McCormick – Bass…
an upright bassist and pan-americanist based out of Denver, Colorado. While touring the nation as a member of the Boulder Acoustic Society, he has found time to play in the backing bands of international ukulele stars Nelly Mckay, Aaron Keim, and Victoria Vox. He also does time on the Denver indie-rock scene with his avant-folk crew of ne’er do wells, Safe Boating is No Accident.
Scott Aller – Drums/Percussion/Vocals…
a 19 year veteran of the drum world. He began pounding on his parents’ house hold appliances at age five and received his first real drum set at age six. Growing up in a mid-town pop-consumption world – exploited by the major record labels of the 90′s – he was heavily influenced by Top-40, pop-punk and hip hop. He traded in a baseball scholarship for a Music Business degree in 2004 and currently assists organizations to utilize arts and culture to drive business and economic activity.
Sunday, August 7 – Presented by Chris Elliott of Spring Creek
Chris Elliott – Banjo and Vocals…
Chris comes from a long line of rural musicians, and is also the grandson of a prominent Kentucky fiddle builder. With a sharp ear for arranging harmonies, his original instrumentals give Spring Creek a dynamic and unique edge. Chris studied banjo with Alan Munde for three years and now passes on the tradition by teaching banjo at the Olde Town Pickin’ Parlor in Arvada, CO. Chris Elliott is the 2007 RockyGrass Banjo Champion.
For more info – call 307-266-5252
