St Louis Flatpick From Years Past
Richard Bennett
Richard Bennett comes to us from the hills of Kentucky. A strong and
versatile guitarist, he performed with his own band, "Richard Bennett Band" late
70's thru late 80's era. He joined as the lead singer and guitar player
for "J.D. Crowe and New South" 1990 thru 1995 and is included on several of the
recordings during this time.
1996 thru 1997 found him with Lou Reid and Carolina. In 1998, Richard
branched out with the trio featuring Jimmy Guadreau and Mike Aldridge where
he remained for 4 years. One of his most prominent jobs would have been
filling in for Tony Rice in "The Tony Rice Unit" and "The Bluegrass Album
Band" from the mid to late 90's. Richard does freelancing, workshops and
clinics as well as studio engineer work from 2001 to present. We are thrilled
to welcome him to St. Louis as part of our workshop weekend and are assured
that you will enjoy his class immensely.
Tim Stafford
Tim Stafford is a professional guitarist with the band Blue Highway, which
he helped found in 1994. He is also an acclaimed guitar teacher, producer
and songwriter.
- Grammy winner, 1993, “Every Time You Say Goodbye”
- Grammy nominee, 2003, “Wondrous Love”; 2005, “Marbletown”
- Dove Award winner, 2004, “Wondrous Love”
- Member of Alison Krauss and Union Station (1990-92)
- SPBGMA Bluegrass Guitar Performer of the Year (2002)
- IBMA Album of the Year (1996)
- Entertainer of the Year (1991)
- Emerging Artists of the Year (1996)
- Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year (1996)
- Instrumental Album of the Year (2001)
- Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year (2004)
- Recorded Event of the Year (2005)
- Song of the Year (2008)
- Nominated for IBMA Guitar Player of the Year in (2005, 2007, 2008)
- Instrumental Album of the Year (2005)
- Currently teaches guitar at East Tennessee State University’s famed Bluegrass and Country Music Program
- Featured as an instructor at Augusta Heritage Camp Bluegrass in Levelland, TX Steve Kaufman's Flatpicking Camp Bluegrass at the Beach Wintergrass CBA Bluegrass Camp Roanoke Bluegrass Weekend, Sore Fingers UK and Nashcamp.
- Released instructional videotape, “Acoustic Guitar Fundamentals”
- Produced recordings by several artists, including Kenny Chesney, Chris Jones, Ric-o-chet, The Acutab Sessions, Jack Tottle and the Infamous Stringdusters
- Co-author, "Still Inside: The Tony Rice Story," acclaimed authorized biography of flatpick legend Tony Rice (2010)
- “Marbletown” number one on Bluegrass Unlimited National Radio Survey, December 2005-March 2006
- Tim Stafford signature model guitar released by Composite Acoustics, April 2009
This workshop will be open to all levels from beginner to advanced and will cover the following topics:
- The “Ts”: Timing, Tuning, Tone, Technique and Taste—how to improve your command of all five
- Figuring out a break
- Thinking melodically
- Bluegrass Rhythm guitar
- Lead guitar techniques: Floating, pulls, slants, hammers, slides, bends, thirds, fifths, harmonics, and more
- The Nashville number system
- Chord substitutions
- Playing in a bluegrass band
- Improvising
- Learning a fiddle tune
- Exercises for building speed
Bull Harman
No stranger in the Midwest when you mention guitar playing, Bull has won numerous awards doing just that. A respected instructor and teacher in his field, Bull also traveled for several years with Rhonda Vincent and in 1999 formed his own band, "Bull's Eye" which he still performs with today. Bull and his band recently won 2009 National Single Mic Championship at Silver Dollar City. He holds the title of SPGMBA Midwest Guitar Player of the Year for 2004, 2006 & 2007. Bull has 2 solo projects that have received high recognition titled "Bull's Eye" and "Rosewood, Spruce & Ebony".
