2018 Crown Guitar Workshop theme: “Why do you play?”
Artists range from Edgar Winter to Jim Messina, Pat Martino to Liz Longley, Justin Townes Earle to Cory Henry

(Bigfork, Mont.) “Why do you Play” is the theme for the ninth annual Crown Guitar Workshop and Festival held this August 26 to Sept 1 in Bigfork, MT. The annual gathering, held at Flathead Lake Lodge, brings together a stellar lineup of world-class Artists in Residence, (AIR) professional instructors, multi-instrumentalists and guitar students from beginner to pro, in a glorious week of celebration of their love of guitar.
Produced by the nonprofit Crown of the Continent Guitar Foundation, organizers hope the week will help musicians find their answers at the “Crown” workshop and festival then share their thoughts on social media at #WhyIPlay.
“Until I experienced this firsthand, I had no idea how absolutely incredible it is... I am a full believer and supporter of the Crown.” commented dobro master, Jerry Douglas, a 2017 Artist in Residence. He joins an ever-expanding list of Grammy winners and nominees who have taught for the Workshop and performed in the Festival.
Students attend daily classes with professional instructors in six genres, many who have been with the Crown since the beginning. The core classes are enriched by AIR master classes, elective classes, and nightly musical jams, with seven nights of musical performances topping off the experience.
The spectacular line up 2018 AIRs includes: Edgar Winter, a prolific music, film, TV composer and performer; Jim Messina, rock/songwriter of the iconic American groups Buffalo Springfield, Poco, and Loggins and Messina; Rusty Young, singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist – the heart and soul of Poco; Cory Henry, Grammy-winning B3 organist; Nathan East, bassist extraordinaire, a founding member of Fourplay; Lee Ritenour, multi-winning Grammy jazz master returning for his eighth year with the Crown; The Pat Martino Trio led by the legendary jazz guitarist; SoloDuo, world-renown Italian classical guitar duo; Justin Townes Earle, rootsy Americana singer/songwriter; and Liz Longley, award-winning singer/songwriter.
The Festival also consists of five public concerts featuring these renowned artists in collaboration with the faculty musicians and a Crown All Star band. To view dates and artist lineup and purchase tickets visit www.crownguitarfest.org
An elite faculty of professional instructors will teach the classes. The small classes offer a non-competitive, supportive environment and students often describe it as the best week of their musical life!
2018 Workshop Classes:
Rock, Funk and Fusion – James Hogan with Edgar Winter, Nathan East and Cory Henry.

Beyond the Strings (classical) – Dr. Lynn McGrath with SoloDuo.

Americana/Fingerstyle: Past Present and Future – Doug Smith with Justin Townes Earle, Poco and Rusty Young.

The Improvising Jazz Guitarist – Mark Dziuba with Pat Martino and Lee Ritenour.

Songs That Move: From Page to the Stage – Liz Longley with Jim Messina and Guthrie Brown.

Montana’s Most Dangerous Band: Blues & Rock – Dennis McCumber with Nathan East, Edgar Winter and Jim Messina.

To learn more about each of the artists and the classes visit www.crownguitarfest.org or call 855-855-5900 for details or email dkautzman@crownguitar.org. A scholarship program for Western Montana residents is also available.

Get Tickets