Bluegrass Music Camp Instructors

August 18-21, 2009

2009 Instructors Include:
Ben Winship - camp director
Darrell Scott - songwriting
Tony Trischka - banjo
Brian Wicklund - mandolin
Eric Thorin - bass
Casey Driessen - fiddle
Danny Barnes - banjo (in addition to Tony Trischka)
Tyler Grant - guitar

Instructor Bios

Darrell Scott - songwriting
Back to teach again by popular demand, Darrell is a powerful musical spirit. A Grammy-nominated artist, an award-winning songwriter, and a first-call session musician, living and working (literally and figuratively) on the fringes of Nashville’s Music Row, Scott occupies his own unique half-acre in this city’s crowded musical landscape. In a town that’s got pigeonholing down to an art, he stands out as a refreshingly mischievous artist. Though he is a fantastic teacher, Darrell is so busy touring, writing and recording that he is rarely available to teach a class like this – so it will be a once in a lifetime experience.
www.darrellscott.com

Casey Driessen - fiddle
Casey Driessen has built a resume that would make a player twice his age proud…but then, he started young. Encouraged by his father’s love of music, Driessen held his first fiddle at the age of six. After completing Berklee College of Music, Casey has launched a full time career as a performer, with many stops along the way to teach workshops. Most recently Driessen has completed an instructional video (showcasing his signature rhythmic “chop” style), toured China and Tibet on an embassy sponsored excursion, and recorded on the soundtrack for Walk the Line, the Johnny Cash movie. Currently, Casey is appearing with the Tim O’Brien Band, Abigail Washburn & the Sparrow Quartet featuring Béla Fleck & Ben Sollee, Darrell Scott, and Frank Vignola. On various occasions, you may find him touring and performing music from his Grammy Nominated debut record, 3D , with his own band, The Colorfools.
www.caseydriessen.com

Tony Trischka - banjo
Tony Trischka has the distinction of having been Bela Fleck’s banjo teacher, so you’ll be in good hands if you choose Tony’s banjo class. He has a well earned reputation as one of the most versatile 5 string banjo players on the planet. He’s played with everyone from Bill monroe and Ralph Stanley to Steve Martin and the Violent Femmes, and his band Skyline was one of the most influential bluegrass bands of the 80’s. Tony has a deep understanding of all things banjo and has authored numerous instructional books and dvds.
www.tonytrischka.com

Danny Barnes – banjo
Live, on studio or homemade records, and through the countless concert recordings that circulate in the taper scene as word-of-mouth gems, Barnes is a sonic pioneer, hacking through the underbrush with his musical weapons of choice, banjo as compass. In addition to being an innovative banjo player, Danny is also an amazing guitarist, singer and songwriter. Having first made the national scene with the Bad Livers, he has entertained the Targhee audiences most recently as a solo performer and member of the Tim O’Brien Band. We welcome him as a major creative force on our teaching staff.
www.dannybarnes.com

Tyler Grant – guitar
Tyler Grant is a versatile guitarist and multi-instrumentalist with a wide range of influences and musical expertise. A graduate of the California Institute of the Arts, Tyler’s name has been popping up everywhere in the acoustic music scene over the past few years. Guitarists will be exited to know he is the 2008 National Flatpicking Champion and currently a member of the Drew Emmitt Band and the Emmitt/Nershi Band. Tyler is thoughtful and well spoken guy, who has a gift for breaking down the essentials of flatpicking technique and effectively conveying it to his students. As well as being a great picker, he is a gifted singer and songwriter as well, and released his first solo album, In The Light, in 2006.
www.tylergrant.org

Brian Wicklund - mandolin
Having taught fiddle and mandolin for the past three years at Targhee, Brian is returning this year to share his phenomenal teaching talents with the lucky mando players. Brian plays fiddle and mandolin with Brother Mule (along with Ben Winship & Eric Thorin). He is a tremendous performer, helped found Bluegrasscolleg.org and has authored the best selling American Fiddle Method. Based on its success, Brian is in constant demand as an instructor - teaching workshops throughout the US, Canada and Europe.
www.fiddlepal.com

Eric Thorin - bass
Eric brings a wide range of teaching and performing experience to his post as staff bassist. Bluegrass fans know him as the bass player for Open Road and Brother Mule. He also performs regularly with Leftover Salmon and the Tony Furtado Band. Eric is equally at home on acoustic and electric bass and has played everything from bluegrass and old time, to jazz and salsa. When not touring, he is in constant demand as an instructor and session player. Students of upright and electric bass are welcome.
www.ericthorin.com

Ben Winship - camp coordinator
Ben has been performing at the Grand Targhee Bluegrass Festival since its inception - initially with Loose Ties and more recently with Brother Mule, Kane’s River and the Growling Old Men. A nationally recognized mandolin player, singer-songwriter and recording engineer, Ben plays bluegrass, swing, blues and old time and has taught workshops from AK and Canada to WV and Europe. He founded the Targhee Bluegrass camp with festival promoter Tom Garnsey in 2006.
www.benwinship.com