Bluegrass Masters Weekend Nov. 6-8 at Lutsen Resort

For a quarter century, bluegrass musicians have been gathering for the Bluegrass Masters Weekend on the first weekend in November. The weekend includes workshops like this one in the resort ballroom. The featured instructor for 2015 is Mike Witcher and the featured instrument is the dobro.

Celebrate, make music, learn, and listen at the North Shore Music Association’s 25th Annual Bluegrass Masters Weekend Nov. 6-8 at Lutsen Resort.

A quarter-century of this popular event has been satisfying appetites of bluegrass musicians and fans from all over the region and the U.S., who come to listen to and learn with the nation’s best bluegrass players and instructors. Three days of jamming, a day of instrumental workshops, and an evening concert by the featured group make for a pickin’ weekend in a relaxed setting— a great opportunity to connect with your bluegrass friends.

This year’s featured instrument is resonator guitar (dobro). Featured instructor is Mike Witcher, who will be joined in concert by his handpicked bluegrass supergroup: Jordan Tice on guitar, Samson Grisman on bass, and Dominick Leslie on mandolin. A much-in-demand session player in L.A. and Nashville, Witcher has worked with artists including Dwight Yoakam, Dolly Parton, Bette Midler, Peter Rowan, Sara Watkins (Nickel Creek), Laurie Lewis, John Paul Jones (of Led Zeppelin), Joan Osborn, The Gibson Brothers, Willie Watson (Old Crow Medicine Show), and Fernando Ortega. He has played the Grand Ole Opry and A Prairie Home Companion many times.

For three days guests at Lutsen Resort get a front row seat to some of the best local and regional bluegrass musicians in the historical lobby, the Poplar River Pub and all around the grounds.

Witcher is a gifted and caring teacher. Over the last 15 years, he’s developed an effective method of teaching the resonator guitar—one that allows his students to integrate complex concepts quickly into their playing. He teaches at the top acoustic music camps around the world, including Rob Ickes’ Reso Summit.

What sets Witcher apart more than anything, though, is his sound. He has an achingly gorgeous tone, dead-on intonation, and ideas and breaks that make the listener feel that sensation deep in the gut when music is just right. His technique is always fresh, jaw-droppingly creative, and tasteful. He is, simply put, one of the best resonator guitar players in the world.

For more details about Bluegrass Masters Weekend and Mike Witcher, see www.northshoremusicassociation.com/bluegrass.php or call the NSMA at (218) 387-2916.