Blues Guitar Workshop
Featuring acclaimed artist & instructor
Mike Dowling
"Performing at one of this year's official Folk Alliance Showcases appeared to
be a bit daunting for some of the acts. The room where the showcases were held
would have been more appropriate for light aircraft assembly than intimate
acoustic music performance, and it was tough to engage an audience that was
constantly wondering whether one of the 40-odd unofficial, guerilla showcases
happening concurrently would be more interesting. But when Mike Dowling took the
stage his National El Trovador guitar sang out his delightful arrangement of
"Rosalie", filling the cavernous hall and stopping time for those folk
schmoozers lucky enough to be in attendance. Here was a reminder of what had
drawn them to folk music in the first place -- a guitar, a great tune, and a
gifted and soulful musician. Check your hype and personal agendas at the the
door." -- Acoustic Guitar (9/98)
A professional career that's spanned four decades has taken Mike from sideman,
session player and band leader, to solo performer and composer of amazing
versatility. Firmly grounded in authenticity and possessed of a musical soul as
old as the vintage instruments he favors, Mike draws inspiration from deep in
the musical bag of American roots guitar styles. Influenced by traditional
Piedmont style fingerpickers like Mississippi John Hurt and swing jazz legends
like the great George Barnes, Mike's developed a style, uniquely his own, that
he translates fluently to arch top, flat top, and resonator guitars alike. From
bottleneck blues on a well-worn National to elegant swing interpretations
reminiscent of the great old jazz artists, Mike Dowling can do it all.
The Program. Fingerstylists, flatpickers, or slide players looking to hone their
skills, add to their musical vocabulary, explore a new direction, or simply
jump-start their playing find that hanging with Mike for a week is a guitar
players dream come true. Mike tailors his instruction to accommodate individual
skill levels, goals, and expectations and in return asks only that students come
to him with a clear idea of what it is they want to work on and be physically
capable of playing guitar for several hours a day. Mike available one-on-one
while those who come with a friend or two at the same playing level and interest
are taught as a small "group" at considerable savings. Mike puts no limits on
the teaching clock but knows that even the most enthusiastic students need time
to rest and assimilate the material.
For more reviews and info on Mike Dowling go to
www.mikedowling.com
Learn the techniques of playing bottleneck/slide guitar with Nashville session
guitarist, Mike Dowling. Registration is $400 and includes preferred
seating for the Bluesonics and Ben Prestage on Friday and Saturday nights at the
Frisky Mermaid Bar & Grille.
For registration & lodging:
904-261-3300 or 1-800-258-3301
www.FloridaHouseInn.com
For more information, contact Bill Kaman, at 904-504-1661 or cwktwo@aol.com.