Rob Ickes’ 7th Annual ResoSummit convenes later this afternoon in Nashville, with more than 100 resonator slide guitarists from all over the world congregating to study with top practitioners of the instrument.
With the start of festivities comes the announcement of this year’s recipient of the Houston Caldwell ResoSummit Scholarship, established in 2010 in honor of Houston Caldwell, a promising young bluegrass musician from Galax, VA who died tragically at 18 years old. Each year, Rob and his summit co-producer Betty Wheeler select a young reso-guitarist to attend an no charge.
For 2013, ResoSummit welcomes Holger Olesen from Birchdale, MN on full scholarship to study with Ickes, Stacy Phillips, Ivan Rosenberg, Michael Stockton, Billy Cardine, Andy Hall, Phil Leadbetter, Michael Witcher, Randy Kohrs, Sally Van Meter, and Orville Johnson.
Holger is 14 years old, and performs with his family band, Sloughgrass, and with Porcupine Creek in the upper Midwest. He had attended ResoSummit in the past, and was delighted to attend on scholarship this year.
“This is my fourth year at Resosummit and I am very grateful to have received the Houston Caldwell scholarship for 2013. I am looking forward to meeting new people, jamming with old friends and learning all that I can.”
He also mentioned some of his other interests.
“I like all kinds of bluegrass and new-grass music plus I like to listen to AC/DC, Queen, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Van Morrison and lots of other types of music. Besides playing the Dobro, I enjoy singing. I placed second this year in the local talent contest singing Brown-eyed Girl by Van Morrison and doing some Dobro licks. I also sing at all our school music events and perform the national anthem at school sports games. I am currently working on earning my black belt in Song Moo Kwan, Tae kwon do.”
Congratulations and Godspeed to young Mr. Olesen, and happy sliding to everyone at ResoSummit.
As has been the case each year, the 2013 event sold out within a few hours of enrollment opening in late February. To be notified of enrollment options, sign up for the mailing list on their web site.
