2008 Portland, Oregon HGGVI
Mike Doolin and Nancy Conescu graciously hosted this sixth annual gathering. The weekend kicked off with the Friday night open mike session at a local nightspot and set the tone for what was to come.
The Saturday workshops brought the year in review and updates for the Knutsen and Dyer brands, all by our harp guitar guru, Gregg Miner. There was then a discussion on the making of a new CD compilation of songs titled, Harp Guitar Dreams, by Andy McKee, Tim Donahue, Alex de Grassi, Muriel Anderson, Andy Wahlberg, Tom Shinness, Don Alder, Jeff Titus, Gregg Miner, Carter Lancaster, Dan LaVoie, Pete Bradshaw and John Doan. Available at www.harpguitars.net . Mike Doolin then hosted a discussion on recordings, performances, instruments, shows, and other projects. John Doan followed with a visual tour of the harp guitar through the ages, complete with actual instrument samples. Then came the workshops on arranging popular tunes, duets, advanced techniques, and guitar notation, all to be followed with the after dinner concert.
Sunday morning started (a bit foggy for some) with more workshops of value and the afternoon concert took place after the break for lunch.
All the events were well attended and the camaraderie and jovial atmosphere were invigorating if not a total joy. The evening was capped off for the participants, with a dinner and after-party at the home of Mike Doolin and Nancy Conescu. There was music and laughter emulating from all corners of their lovely home and spilling out onto the front porch!
We all have to thank Stephen Bennett for making all this happen right
from the beginning, with the first Gathering In Williamsburg, VA in 2003. This event was his brainchild, and lucky for all he has agreed to host the event again next Halloween weekend. Three cheers, Steve!
For more photos and info see, www.harpguitars.net
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