Top Guitar Pickers and Players featured at Twin Falls Resort Guitar Weekend March 26-28

          MULLENS, W.Va. - The opportunity to hang out and learn chords, licks, and finger picking for an entire weekend with top guitarists Robin Kessinger, Robert Shafer and Jim Ritchey is a special event at Twin Falls Resort State Park in March. The internationally-recognized players are featured instructors for the 2010 Guitar Workshop Weekend at Twin Falls March 26-28.

            “There’s nothing quite like it and in winter, what better way to spend time than improving your guitar skills and learning from the best?” says Scott Durham, Twin Falls park superintendent.

            This special event caters to guitarists interested in developing finger-picking techniques, getting tips from a national flat-picking champion, hitting chords and licks, and learning the etiquette of jamming. The guitar workshop will include a popular Friday night instructors’ mini-concert, Saturday evening jam session and concluding sessions Sunday afternoon.

            “This weekend features the three best guitar instructors that any beginning or accomplished guitar player could hope to meet or learn from,” says Joe Swiney, Twin Falls event coordinator. “It’s a rare opportunity to be in a setting with these accomplished musicians. Kessinger, Shafer and Ritchey know guitars inside and out, from creation of the instrument to playing. The affordability and limited class size makes this one of the premier three-day workshops for anyone interested in guitars.”            

            To get the most out of the workshop, participants should be familiar with chords and have some right hand ability to locate the individual strings. Chords, strumming and other guitar playing aspects will appeal to any level of player. The setting and laid back approach to the entire weekend makes it one of the best niche special events on the West Virginia. State Parks calendar of events in 2010.

            The Guitar Workshop Weekend includes two nights' lodging Friday and Saturday, workshops and instruction, lunch on Saturday and Sunday, jam sessions, five break refreshments, and door prizes. The cost is $233 for two people for the entire weekend package. Rates for single occupancy and day only attendance are available. Advance reservations are required, and the workshop size is limited. A complete workshop schedule is posted at: www.twinfallsresort.com/calendar.html

            Twin Falls Resort State Park is located in Wyoming County on U.S. Route 97, near Saulsville between Mullens and <<Pineville. The park features a 20-room lodge and restaurant, 14 cabins, campground, 18-hole championship golf course and miles of hiking trails.

            For more information or reservations call Twin Falls Resort State Park 304-294-4000 or 1-800–CALL WVA and ask for Twin Falls, or visit online www.twinfallsresort.com.

About the Instructors

            Robin Kessinger is one of the country's leading flatpick guitarists, winning the National Flatpicking Championship in Winfield, Kansas, as well as multiple state Flatpicking Championships. Kessinger holds titles in Ohio, Kentucky, Georgia, West Virginia, Best of Tri State (Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia) and other contests. 

            As a writer for the Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine wrote: “When Robin Kessinger performs, you can hear the ghosts of generations past joining in to help blend the notes from his guitar into the familiar strains of old-time-tunes.” Kessinger has been featured on PBS and BBC television specials and NPR radio shows and teaches at Steve Kaufman's Flatpicking Camp, Augusta Heritage Workshops in Elkins, W.Va., since 1983, and at the Allegheny Echoes Workshop near <<Marlinton, W.Va., since 1997.

            Robert Shafer has played guitar professionally since graduating high school in 1981. He is a two-time winner of the National Flatpicking Championship, held annually at the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kansas. Robert has also held state guitar championships in Kentucky (three times), Tennessee (twice), Ohio (twice) and Alabama. Having appeared on the Grand Ole Opry, Mountain Stage, BBC, Shafer has worked with many well known artists including Mark O'Connor, Mike Snider, Kenny Baker, Josh Graves and others.  In addition to being a first rate flatpicker, Robert is also an amazing electric guitarist.  His 1997 release, "Hillbilly Fever" on the Upstart/Rounder label received rave reviews from Guitar Player magazine, The Washington Post, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Vintage Guitar magazine and many other prominent publications.  Robert's influences range from flatpicking pioneer Doc Watson to the legendary rockabilly guitarist, Danny Gatton.  Robert currently resides near Charleston, W.Va.

            Jim Ritchey is an experienced guitar teacher, a recording engineer, a published songwriter and was a touring musician for 20+ years. His songs have been recorded and performed by numerous artists, including Kenny Rogers, BaJae Fleming, Mickey Jones, Kelly Hunt, Jim Messina and B.W. Stevenson. Jim honed his writing and performing skills in the clubs of Austin and Dallas. A long-time lover of the blues, Ritchey has worked with such legends as Lightnin' Hopkins, Mance Lipscomb and Big Mama Thornton.