ChasingGuitars

I attended the Woodstock Invitational Luthiers Showcase for the forth year in a row this weekend. The annual event presents the finest handmade acoustic guitars and stringed musical instruments from some of the finest builders around the world. As always I had a fantastic day not one seeing jaw dropping guitars and stringed instruments. Best part is listening to some great performers playing the guitars exhibited from the show floor.

Paul Asbell Playing an amazing archtop from Mirabella Guitars

This was the sixth year for the Woodstock, New York event which is a mecca for musicians with many well known local players and Grammy winners. The crowd was large and the busiest I have seen on Saturday. So it appears this show is attracting more and more guitar lovers.

The Woodstock Invitational Luthiers Showcase also holds clinics and workshops. This years workshops included Tim Farrell – The Acoustic Guitar Music of The Beatles, Cathy Fink (Grammy winner) – Clawhammer Banjo Workshop, Happy Traum (Homespun) – Blues and Country Fingerpicking 101- Conquering the Challenge of the Steady Thumb, Paul Asbell – Fingerstyle Country Blues Workshop, Frank Vignola & Vinny Raniolo – Django Jam! – Gypsy Jazz Rhythm and Improvisation Workshop and Itamar Erez – Flamenco Techniques for Non-Flamenco Players to name a few.

Few samples from the show floor. Too many great guitars to mention and way crowded for good pictures.

Where else could you find a “Flying V” Dulcimer?

The performers were great this year as they are every year. Quite a few well known players either performing or attending the show as usual. John Sebastian, Happy Traum, Larry Campbell, Paul Asbell, David Bromberg, Eddie Diehl, Cathy Fink, Sharon Klein and Frank Vignola just to name a few. Young 20 year old Macyn Taylor brought down the house with an inspiring performance.