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World-class guitarists headline the Crown of the Continent Guitar Foundation
August 09, 2011
Editor@montanaliving.com
World-class master guitarists share insights and perform at the Crown of the Continent Guitar Workshop Music Festival at Flathead Lake Aug. 28 to Sept. 3, 2011
A chance to hear some of the world’s greatest guitarist’s including blues king JOE BONAMASSA www.jbonamassa.com, rock guitar giant, STEVE LUKATHER www.stevelukather.net, Grammy-winning jazz legend, LEE RITENOUR www.leeritenour.com, Grammy-winning classical master, SCOTT TENNANT www.scotttennant.com and pioneering singer-songwriter, DAVID WILCOX www.davidwilcox.com will be available at a week long Music Festival held in conjunction with the Crown of the Continent Guitar Workshop from August 28 through September 3 in the spectacular setting of Flathead Lake at Flathead Lake Lodge, Bigfork, Montana.
Music Festival tickets are now on sale offering a week of up-close-and-personal events including an All-Star Kickoff jam, two intimate “Evenings with the Masters” backed up by the elite rhythm section of Dave Weckl on drums and Melvin Lee Davis on bass; a night of solo performances with Tennant and Wilcox, all topped off with a Guitar Extravaganza! finale with views over the lake at sunset.
Plus, mid-week, a new guitar champion will be crowned at the world finals of Lee Ritenour’s 2nd annual Yamaha Six String Theory Guitar Competition at the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts. There is also a raffle drawing to win two Yamaha Guitars and other special prizes. Event tickets can be purchased singly or in a ”Crown Pass Package” for $145 that includes tickets to all Guitar Festival events, a Festival cap, tee shirt and commemorative poster.
“It’s going to be an incredible week of guitar music-making in the awe-inspiring setting of Flathead Lake Lodge and the whole valley,” commented David Feffer, COCGF board chair and founder. “I doubt there has ever been a gathering of this kind here. We are well on our way to becoming known as a premier international center for the guitar right here in Northwest Montana.”
The Festival starts with an “All-Star Kickoff Jam” – a benefit for North Valley Music School - on Sunday Aug. 28 from 1-4 pm. The jam will feature faculty along with local Flathead valley musicians Mike McFarland and Toby Ferguson, drums; Ron Reeves bass; Tim Torgerson, Andre Floyd and Ethan Thompson guitar and vocals; David Griffith and Craig Barton keyboards; Christian Johnson, stringed instruments and Ed Boggs guitar, mandolin and fiddle. The Jam will be held in the spacious Meadow Tent on the grounds of Flathead Lake Lodge. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online at www.cocguitarfoundation.org or at the door.
Monday Aug. 29, 8 p.m. “An Evening with Joe Bonamassa.” (www.joebonamassa.com) This multi-recorded blues master, now in his early 30s, began playing guitar as a child prodigy, finessing Stevie Ray Vaughan licks when he was seven. By the time he was ten, he had caught B.B. King’s ear. By age 12, Bonamassa was opening shows for the blues icon and went on to tour with venerable acts including Buddy Guy, Foreigner, Robert Cray, Stephen Stills, Joe Cocker and Gregg Allman. After his session he will be joined onstage for a jam with Steve Lukather and Lee Ritenour, backed up by Weckl and Davis. Cost is $25.
Tuesday, Aug. 30, 8 p.m. “An Evening with Steve Lukather and Lee Ritenour.” These legendary musicians are long-time friends having met as session players early in their careers. Both have won numerous awards and accolades. Lukather is famous for his 31-year affiliation with his band Toto, while Ritenour recently commemorated his 50 years as a guitarist with the award-winning album, Sixth String Theory. They will share stories and insights and perform a selection of their favorite pieces, again backed by Weckl and Davis. Cost is $25.
Wednesday, Aug. 31 7:30 p.m. “World Finals of the Lee Ritenour–Yamaha Six String Theory Guitar Competition” onstage at the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts. Six finalists, drawn from 45 countries worldwide, will vie for the honor of being named best guitarist across the genres of jazz, rock, blues, country, classical/flamenco and acoustic. The Grand Prize Winner will be a featured artist slot in the 2011 National Guitar Workshop Clinic Tour; a seven-day stay at the Flathead Lake Lodge in Bigfork, Montana; a recording contract opportunity from Concord Records; a year of "Professional Mentoring" from Lee Ritenour; a Yamaha guitar (acoustic, classical, or electric), Monster “Beats by Dre” Headphones, a guitar endorsement from Yamaha Corporation, a two-year string endorsement worth $1,000 from D'Addario String Company and becomes a Monster Cable “Famous Monster.” Runners-up also receive a range of prizes.
Last year’s competition was held in Los Angeles. Lee Ritenour says he chose Bigfork, Montana for this year’s World Finals because of his positive experience attending the 2010 inaugural COC Guitar Workshop. “It was organized in such a nice way. The setting presents a very relaxed atmosphere for learning and the students felt comfortable in the natural beauty of the lake and the mountains. It’s inspirational for learning.” Cost is $50; limited tickets available.
Thursday, Sept. 1, 8 p.m. “Scott Tennant and David Wilcox – solo performances.” Tennant is regarded as one of the world’s premier classical guitarists and is a founding member of the Grammy-winning L.A. Guitar Quartet. He has authored several books and articles on guitar technique, including his best-seller Pumping Nylon, which has attained a “cult” classic status. He has made numerous recordings as a soloist and is well-known for his recordings of the music of Joaquín Rodrigo. He is equally praised for his interpretations of the music from the renaissance and classical periods.
Wilcox is considered a ‘songwriter’s songwriter’, and his songs have been covered by artists such as k.d. lang and many others. In addition to his writing prowess, his skills as a performer and storyteller are unmatched. He holds audiences rapt with nothing more than a single guitar, thoroughly written songs, a fearless ability to mine the depths of human emotions of joy, sorrow and everything in between, and all tempered by a quick and wry wit. Tickets are $25.
Saturday, Sept. 3, 7 p.m. “Guitar Extravaganza!” A grand finale concert and jam featuring the workshop faculty, guest artists and some surprises! It will be held on the lawn overlooking Flathead Lake, the perfect setting to celebrate a monumental week of music. Last year’s extravaganza was called ‘extraordinary’ by most who attended.
Buy tickets online at www.cocguitarfoundation.tix.com , or at Nancy O’s Interiors and Electric Avenue Gifts in Bigfork or all Montana Coffee Traders in Flathead Valley. For more info call 406-837-2574.
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