The new schedule has been set for the Acoustic Guitar Masters Series 9 at the Performing Arts Center in Elizabethtown Kentucky. Eddie and Carol have put together another outstanding line-up this year and I am anxiously awaiting the first concert on the schedule coming October 4th with Michael Kelsey. I have never had the opportunity to see or photograph Michael but I have listened to his music and watched DVDs of his live show. He is truly an innovative guitar player. When you add Bobby Cochran on the same night as Michael you are assured to be amazed and entertained by two awesome musicians. The next concert on November 1st features blues guitarist Mary Flower with Tim Grimm. This will be my first time photographing Mary too but Tim Grimm is one of my all time favorite song writers and I am looking forward to seeing and photographing him again. Tim has a way of pulling the emotions right out of your soul with his heartfelt, down to earth songs. His CD Heartland is one of my all time favorites! December 6th brings Stephen Bennett to the stage who is a master at the harp guitar. Steve has become known as a versatile guitarist who consistently garners critical praise and audience enthusiasm for his compositions and live performances. I have seen and heard Stephen play with others but I have never seen one of his solo performances.
February 5th TommyFest begins. Anyone familiar with this blog knows how I feel about Tommy Emmanuel. He is Mozart on 6 strings and plays the music of my soul. TommyFest is a 4 day event in the middle of winter that is as hot as a Georgia night in August. Three shows are planned this year as well as two workshops. Anyone who plays guitar will benefit greatly from a 4 hr instructional session with a master guitar player like Tommy Emmanuel. The classes are small and inviting and Tommy gives his insight into various subjects such as playing with multiple guitar players, practice techniques, music styles, life on the road and many more subjects for the novice to professional guitar player. No matter what your talent level any guitar player will benefit from this workshop where you bring your guitar and even have the opportunity to pick along with Tommy.March 7th brings Dan Crary to the stage. Dan is a flatpicking stylist with an international reputation for innovation, taste and brilliance. He has recorded with the likes of Tony Rice, Doc Watson, Norman Blake and Beppe Gambetta to name a few with a career that spans over 50yrs. This is going to be an outstanding concert. Closing out the 9th series will be Todd Hallawell with special guest Robin Kessinger. Guitar Player magazine said this about Todd's guitar playing "Hallawell attacks his steel-strings with the precision of John Williams and punch of Jerry Reed...an extraordinary fingerpicker" Enough said!
If you are a fan of guitar music like I am, you will absolutely love every performance in this years Acoustic Guitar Masters Concert Series. I have attended nearly every performance in this series for the past 3 years and I have never been disappointed in a single show. Many times I have been not knowing the name or music of a performer only to come away with a great appreciation of their work and new favorites on my I-Pod playlist. Check out one or all of these shows if you get a chance. Here are a few shots from some of the past series.
