Bluegrass & Gee's Bend 2025
One of our most popular events is back with great workshops in bluegrass music, traditional crafts, and a Gee's Bend quilting retreat. This four-day workshop series provides a truly immersive experience with a fun and enthusiastic community of musicians and artists.
2025 Workshop Offerings:
- Guitar I: Allen Tolbert
- Guitar II: Jim Hurst
- Banjo I: George Guthrie
- Banjo II: Alan O'Bryant
- Fiddle I: Robbi Podrug
- Fiddle II: Fred Carpenter
- Mando I: Jason Bailey
- Mandolin II: Isaac Eicher
- Upright Bluegrass Bass: Morgan Blaney
- Dobro: Roman Locklear
- Gee's Bend Quilting Retreat: Mary Ann Pettway & China Pettway
- Bark Basket Weaving: Sarah Bell
- Natural Dyes: Aaron Sanders Head
- Hand-Forged Heads: Quinn McKay
- Foraged First Aid: Cameron Strouss
Made possible in part by the Alabama State Council on the Arts.
PRICING:
Music Workshops are $255.00
Craft Workshops are $280.00
Lodging prices (including meals) range from:
Lodge Room & Meals for 2: $600.00
Lodge Room & Meals for 1: $450.00
Cabin Bunk Bed & Meals for 1: $170.00
Commuter Fee & Meals for 1: $80.00
Guitar I: Allen Tolbert
Guitar I will be a comprehensive course that will cover all the essentials necessary for the beginner to learn to play to guitar, while also touching upon advanced techniques and ideas to help foster long term growth in the individual student. Students will learn chord structures, basic improvising techniques, how to properly tune and maintain a guitar, how to properly change strings and many other essentials for the aspiring guitarist. The objective will be for the student to be able to play multiple songs proficiently at the conclusion of the camp and be well versed in the essentials of the guitar. The hope is this will create new guitarists to enrich all of our musical futures!
Allen Tolbert has toured professionally in the southeast for over 20 years. A veteran of Birmingham-based Glenn Tolbert & Company for 17 years, Allen has made hundreds of appearances ranging from festivals, weddings, churches and private parties to radio and television appearances. He appeared as a featured guest on a special youth edition of the nationally-syndicated radio broadcast of the Woodsongs Old-Time Radio Hour, as well as performing numerous times on the Country Boy Eddie Show on WBRC TV in Birmingham with many guests including Hank Williams III. His festival appearances include Horse Pens 40, opening for such acts as Ricky Skaggs, The Del McCoury Band, Peter Rowan, Jerry Douglas, Blue Highway and The Whites. Allen also performed at the Foggy Hollow Bluegrass Gatherin' nearly 20 different times, opening for acts such as Alison Krauss and Union Station, The Tony Rice Unit, J.D. Crowe and the New South, IIIrd Tyme Out, the Osborne Brothers and Claire Lynch. His debut solo CD is scheduled to be released soon. Allen also teaches guitar and mandolin in the greater Birmingham metropolitan area, as well as throughout the world via Skype and FaceTime.
Guitar II: Jim Hurst
Join Jim for Acoustic Bluegrass Guitar "From Rhythm to Solos."
Jim Hurst’s unique picking style on guitar sets him apart from most of his contemporaries and is revered by both novice guitar players and his musical peers. He is recognized in Bluegrass and related music genres as a multi-layered musical artist and performer.
Garnering numerous nominations, Jim received IBMA's prestigious "Guitar Player of the Year" awards for 2001 and 2002.
After recording and touring with several Country and Bluegrass artists, including Trisha Yearwood, Sara Evans, Holly Dunn, Claire Lynch, Missy Raines, John Cowan, and David Grisman, Jim decided in 2010 to embark on a solo career to focus mostly on his own musical creativity, Jim continues to expand on his musical experiences and expression.
Jim has been performing and teaching at guitar workshops and music camps across North America and Europe. Performing solo and in duo and trio settings as well as band ensembles, in April 2021, Hurst released a much anticipated original single to the world, “It’s A Beautiful Day,” which was received with gusto by radio and fans alike. The uplifting tune, featuring harmony vocals from Dale Ann Bradley and Claire Lynch, shot quickly up the Bluegrass Today's Grassicana Chart, to #2, where it spent 25 weeks on the chart. Jim is a recording artist with Pinecastle Music as they re-released the “Second Son” album on it’s 20 year Anniversary. The most recent album, “From The Ground Up” was released in July 2022. His newest recording project is slated for release in the spring of 2025.
Banjo I: George Guthrie
My beginner bluegrass banjo class will cover all the essentials needed to get you rolling and having fun on the banjo. We will cover the basic rolls, chord shapes, and learn how to apply them to familiar songs. I will show you how to have good right and left hand technique so that you will be set up for success as you continue your banjo journey. I will have songs and exercises prepared, but feel free to come with specific questions and requests. My aim is to be as helpful as possible. By the end of this class you will be well on your way to pickin’ and grinnin’! Note: I will be referencing written tablature at times, so familiarity with TAB is helpful but not required.
George has been playing Bluegrass for over two decades. He started on guitar while in high school in Virginia, but it was ultimately the banjo that sparked his passion for Bluegrass. He graduated from the University of Virginia in 2014 with a degree in Music and was deeply influenced by the rich Bluegrass and Old Time traditions of Central Virginia. He moved to Colorado in 2015 and joined up with award winning bands Meadow Mountain and Caribou Mountain Collective. In 2017-18 he was the principal banjoist for Steve Martin’s “Bright Star” musical. From there he went on to tour and record with award winning band The Wooks. Since 2022 he has been a full time member of Laurie Lewis and the Right Hands, an institution of the California Bluegrass scene, with whom he has recorded and toured extensively. George’s style has been described as smooth and tasteful, inventive yet rarely straying too far from the melody. He is equally proficient in both Bluegrass and Clawhammer banjo styles, and loves singing and playing guitar. While many banjo players strive for technical virtuosity, George strives to capture the spirit of the song in his playing and many bands have been helped by his talents. He currently makes his home in Nashville TN and enjoys teaching and playing music with friends while not on the road.
Banjo II: Alan O'Bryant
Bluegrass Banjo Bonanza! We will explore songs, tunes, tunings, playing techniques, set-up and maintenance techniques to help get what you want from your banjo. We may even take a Gibson Mastertone banjo all apart and put it back together!
Alan O'Bryant (aka OBanyon) is best known as a singer, songwriter and banjo player with The Nashville Bluegrass Band. A two time Grammy winner originally from Reidsville, NC his career in Nashville spans some fourty plus years of recording, producing, teaching and performing worldwide. His appearances have included workshop classes on banjo technique and instrument set-up, vocal and band performance dynamics and more at venues including; Suwanee Banjo Camp Live Oak Fl, Augusta Heritage Center Elkins WV, American Banjo Camp Seattle WA, Wintergrass Academy Tacoma WA, Vancouver Folk Festival, Rocky Grass Academy Lyons CO, Midwest Banjo Camp Olivet MI, Disney Institute Orlando FL, Monroe Mandolin Camp, Nashville,TN and Nashcamp in Cumberland Furnace, TN. Along with NBB and his home project studio Alan currently enjoys pickin’ with his two sons Calan and Ian, learning old time tunes on the mandolin and five string banjo and gives private lessons at The Musical Heritage Center of Middle Tennessee, “The Fiddle & Pick” near his home in Pegram, TN
Fiddle I: Robbi Podrug
A Milwaukee, WI, native, Robbi spent time in Cincinnati, OH, and Birmingham, AL, soaking up the local musical cultures and playing in various bands (Brew County Rounders, Herb Trotman Band), before landing in the Twin Cities in 2008. A friend once commented that you can always tell what she's feeling while she plays. The emotion comes right through the fiddle. She's been fortunate to play with a lot of bands in several genres (bluegrass, western swing, country, singer-songwriter duo) in different parts of the country. The result is a playing style that is textural as well as musical. Her current band is King Wilkie's Dream.
Fiddle II: Fred Carpenter
Enhance your skills and apply new techniques and approaches to your current toolbox of fiddle with emphasis on untangling the bow arm.
Fred Carpenter was born and raised in Maine, where he started classical violin lessons at the age of 7. At 17, he found his way into bluegrass fiddling through listening to and learning the tunes of Kenny Baker, Vassar Clements, Byron Berline and many more. Fred began entering several national fiddle contests, placing 4th in The World Series of Fiddling in Texas, and 7th in the National Champion Division at Weiser, Idaho. He also competed in the Grand Masters in Nashville, TN. In 1980 Fred moved to California to join the Tony Rice Unit. During the next three years of touring, he recorded two albums with the group. While in California, Fred served a four year apprenticeship at Loveland Violin Shop, learning the proper methods of violin repair and set up, and bow work. This would give him the knowledge and skill to later open his own shop. Fred left California in 1985 to play fiddle for two years with the Dillard‘s. He then moved to Nashville and began touring with several other well established artists. Over the next four years his tour schedule included such artists as Emmylou Harris, Ronnie Milsap, Suzi Bogguss, Paul Overstreet, and George Strait. In 1988 Fred founded the Violin Shop of Nashville which continues to provide a solid home base for fiddle players everywhere. During this time he began performing with Kathy Mattea and for the last 20 years Fred has continued touring with Kathy, playing both fiddle and mandolin and providing harmony vocals. On an instructional level, Fred has offered private lessons and fiddle workshops in music camps. In 2016, he and guitarist Tim May traveled to England to perform and while there, Fred taught at the Sore Fingers Summer School. Fred has also found time to substitute for other teachers, including Darol Anger, at the Mark O'Connor fiddle camp. These days, you can catch Fred at the Violin Shop a couple days a week or out there on the road playing his fiddle and showcasing his recently released album, “One More Thing.”
Mandolin I: Jason Bailey
This level 1 class is designed to help you become a better mandolin player. Skill levels can vary as we will cover both basic chords and melodies as well as more intermediate and advanced chords and melodies. I design the class in such a way that the same song can be played together by both beginners and more intermediate players. There is great benefit from playing music along with others. Bluegrass will be our main focus but we will do music from other genres as well.
Jason Bailey has been performing and teaching professionally for 25 years. Originally from Birmingham, Alabama, Jason relocated to Nashville shortly after completing his third solo album release, Mandolbug in 2010. This record, produced by mandolinist extraordinaire Matt Flinner, expresses Bailey’s talents in new grass, jazz and celtic inspired genres. Bailey currently has five album releases.
Mandolin II: Isaac Eicher
Advanced Bluegrass Mandolin. Of his teaching, Isaac says, "I enjoy teaching a variety of styles to all levels of mandolin students. In my classes, we typically work on theory, scales, arpeggios, shifting positions, improvisation, chords, technique and repertoire. I like it when students ask questions! You can bring paper and pencil to take notes."
Isaac Eicher is a mandolin player and teacher known for his unique sound on the mandolin, which is influenced by many genres like bluegrass, jazz and latin music. Originally from Oklahoma, Eicher is a two-time national mandolin champion and currently resides in Nashville.
Bass: Morgan Blaney
In Upright Bluegrass Bass, we will focus on exploring foundational chords, songs, styles, and strategies that are all focused on getting you up and plucking! We will likely touch on instrument maintenance, techniques for other genres, and some basic music theory. The class will be open to curiosities and questions! My goal is to have you in a position to hold your own as you’re jamming!
Originally from small town Wyoming, Morgan Blaney spent most of her younger years playing music in various Bluegrass and Jazz settings, including a weekly bluegrass jam at a Historic Saloon. After earning a degree in jazz and bluegrass performance, Morgan relocated to Nashville with hopes to expand her interests and skills there. She has spent her time before and since playing music with friends, colleagues, and strangers, as well as teaching and directing a few music camps. A vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, her musical style has developed into something influenced by jazz, country, and folk genres.
Dobro: Roman Locklear
In this course we will focus on the techniques of playing “squareneck resonator guitar” as it pertains to Bluegrass music. Players from beginner to intermediate will benefit from this course as we will cover a range of topics including; but not limited to:
- Tunings
- Scales
- Rolls
- Blocking
- Basic slants
- Intros and fills
- Rhythm and chops
- Constructing a break
- Practice drills
We will deconstruct some of the greatest Bluegrass dobro breaks ever played by renowned artists such as Jerry Douglas, Rob Ickes, and Andy Hall. Students will be provided an abundance of practice material as well as shown how to make the best of their practice time. All you need is a squareneck resonator guitar, picks, and a bar and you’re all set!
Originally from the small town of Tellico Plains deep in the mountains of East Tennessee, Roman Locklear has been raised on healthy doses of music all his life. Coming from a musically talented family he first began playing bass guitar in church then moved on to drums, but it wasn’t until he reached his 30’s that he picked up the squareneck resonator guitar and he hasn’t looked back since. Playing with multiple bluegrass and southern gospel groups over the years including The Reagon Family, The Uplander Singing Band, Crimson Journey, Blackrock Station, Canaan’s Crossing, and Valley Road just to name a few, his love for the resonator guitar is evident in every note. Roman has been teaching the resonator guitar in class and private settings for a number of years and finds a personal enjoyment from sharing his knowledge of this fairly obscure instrument. He was just recently named the Alabama State Champion Dobro player in 2018, and has been featured in the Alabama Bluegrass Music Association BamaGrass monthly editorial.
Gee's Bend Quilting with Mary Ann Pettway and China Pettway
This Gee’s Bend quilting retreat at the Alabama Folk School provides a rare opportunity for quilters of all levels to sew alongside two of Alabama's famed Gee's Bend Quilters. China Pettway and Mary Ann Pettway are available to assist with hand and machine-stitching, and share tips for creating in the style of the Gee's Bend tradition. While everyone works, they sing gospel style spirituals and tell stories from their lives in the community of Boykin, Alabama. Quilters bring works in progress or fabric scraps to start something new and enjoy plenty of time to focus on their own projects in the community of fellow quilters.
Mary Ann Pettway is the manager of the Gee's Bend Quilters Collective. She made her first quilt for the collective in the summer of 2005. The seventh of 12 children, Mary Ann Pettway was born and raised in Gee's Bend. After graduating high school in 1975, Mary Ann took college bookkeeping and accounting classes before working in a sewing factory for 20 years. Pettway is one of the lead singers of the Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church and began quilting again after hearing about the trips the quilters of the community went on. "Before I started back to quilting, I was with (friend) Sabrina's grandmother Arlonzia a lot and heard about these trips they would go on (to other cities through The Quilts of Gee's Bend traveling exhibition.) So I told her, "I'm tired of hearing how good of a time y'all are having. I want to start having a good time too." So she told me, "well then start quilting!" And Mary Ann is, thankfully, still quilting today.
In addition to being a famed quilter, China Pettway is one of Gee's Bend's leading gospel singers. Singing is her beloved hobby. She is one of the few Boykin locals who attended college and returned to live in the community. Now a home healthcare provider, Pettway enjoys working with the elderly. "I love my patients and I think they are the most sweet and beautiful people you can meet." China was taught to quilt by her mother, Leola, at the young age of eleven. "We had to quilt until ten at night. Then, she would let us stop and get to bed. That was every evening except Saturday and Sunday. I made my first quilt, it was a 'Star.' And I still have it,” she says. She and Mary Ann began teaching at the Alabama Folk School fifteen years ago.
Photo credits: Jenna Mobley
Bark Basket Weaving with Sarah Bell
Bark Basketry is an introductory course to foraging, processing, and weaving with plant bark. We will cover how and when to process plant material and basic basket weaving techniques, including weaving around a mold, creating handles, and plait designs. You will leave with your own unique bark basket bag (or two!).
Sarah Bell is an artist, farmer, and educator based in Birmingham, Alabama. Descended from Chinese and American ancestry, she grew up using art and creativity as a way to find a sense of connection to her experiences of grief, familial emigration, and home. She has presented work throughout Alabama, including Shelby County Arts Council, Kentuck Museum Gallery, and regularly teaches workshops at Alabama Folk School, Studio by the Tracks, Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve and others.
Natural Dyes with Aaron Head
In this 4 day workshop, Aaron will guide participants through the world of natural dyes. Using both garden-grown and foraged plants--including marigolds, sumac, black walnut and indigo--we'll learn the basics of bundle dyeing, as well as resist dyeing techniques for creating patterns on fabric. We will also make our own clay paste resist to use with indigo. Participants will learn to prepare their fabric for dyeing, and how to employ pH shifts to increase their natural palette.
Aaron Sanders Head is a Southern, Alabama-based textile artist. Aaron was raised in rural Grady, AL and Hope Hull, AL, as the youngest of three children from an artist mother and an agricultural worker father. His grandparents were both rural mail carriers, and the times Aaron spent accompanying them on those trips cemented early on a fondness for rural areas and the importance of connection however it can be found. That learned sense of observation combined with inherited family traditions of textile and agriculture inform the unique visual language Aaron works in today, that exists in the worlds of quiltmaking, handwork and natural dyes. Aaron creates quilts and hand-stitched, naturally dyed textiles that explore the lived experiences of rural Alabamians.
Blacksmithing: Hand-Forged Heads with Quinn McKay
Quinn McKay’s creative energies are rooted in a love of Architecture from an early age, blended with a deep connection to nature. Elements of his designs are inspired by the clean lines we surround ourselves with and the natural forms outside of that. Throughout much of his work, the use of nature’s proportions are present. Attending the American College of the Building Arts in Charleston, SC solidified Quinn’s love of forging metal. He celebrates the material in his pieces by preserving its natural displacement when forged, leaving the evidence of each manipulation of the material. Acting with this sense of preservation is his homage to the tradition of forging. Through his time spent here, Quinn explored many different styles within his ironwork taking the most influence from Art Nouveau and the Arts and Crafts movement. Quinn is currently working as an artist blacksmith and fabricator at Iron Horse Metalworks in Birmingham, AL and independently as McKay Forged Metals.
(additional small supplies fee for blacksmithing paid upon arrival)
Foraged First Aid with Cameron Strouss
Cameron is the owner and founder of The Deep Roots School of Herbal Medicine (formerly Deep Roots Apotheké & Clinic) and has been a professional in the field of herbal medicine for 15 years. She has 9 years of experience in Clinical Practice and has over 4,000 hours of training in the Sciences and Herbal Medicine. Cameron is a graduate of the University of Montevallo with a Biology Degree and Environmental Studies Minor with Honors, the Southeastern Institute for Traditional Herbal Studies ( Darryl Patton, 2008-2011) and The Eclectic School of Herbal Medicine (Thomas Easley, RH(AHG), 2012-2013) with her Clinical Herbal Certification. In 2018 she was awarded the professional distinction of Registered Herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild (denoted RH, (AHG)) and Functional Herbalist from the Eclectic School of Herbal Medicine.