"Wanted to let you know I re-acquired the Collings OM at Down Home Guitars. Also scored a D2HA with a top that is almost flamed. Very Nice (Borat inflection not included). Also, I apologize for not making the Sunday workshop. Finally, I just made…"
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- Favorite Flatpickers
- All of them but top of the list Doc Watson, Dan Crary, Norman Blake, Bryan Sutton, Dave Grier, and too many to list
- Favorite Flatpicking Tunes
- Ragtime Annie, Blackberry Blossom, Dill Pickle Rag, Tico Tico, Jerusalem Ridge and all the rest.....
- Favorite Guitars
- Ken Miller Guitar, Collings OM-3, Gallagher 7 String SK Model, Rockbridge Braz and Cedar
- Tell us more about yourself (place a Bio here if you wish)
- Steve Kaufman was born into a musical family in 1957. His father was a jazz piano player and his mother was a classically trained pianist. Music was always around. At four Steve started plinking at the piano and did so for several years. He then moved on to the electric guitar at 10 for a few years and put it away. Next came the cello in 5th grade for a few years. After this Steve picked up the acoustic guitar again and blazed right through a "Folk Guitar" method book. When finished he thought if this is as hard as it gets it's not for him. Then his younger brother, Will, started playing the banjo and his instructor told him he needed a rhythm guitar player to help with his timing. So Steve then picked up his guitar again and got into the bluegrass rhythm. One day Will brought home a Flatt and Scruggs LP, which featured Doc Watson on guitar, and Steve was hooked on flatpicking.
Steve practiced hard with his newfound love of music, sometimes up to 8 hours a day. At age 18 he entered the National Flatpicking Championships in Winfield, KS and made the top 10. The following year was a wash. In 1977, Steve took 2nd place to Mark O'Connor and in 1978, at 21 years old, he returned to win the championship. Then after being barred for 5 years he returned on the 6th year to win the 1984 championships again. Winfield bars the winner for 5 years and they can come back on the 6th year but in 1986 they decided to open up the contest to everyone and not bar the past years champs. Steve returned to win his goal. He became the winner and the first and, at this writing, the only Three Time Winner of the National Flatpicking Championships. He is also noted to have 3 consecutive wins in the Nationals because he was barred all the years he did not enter.
Steve continues to work hard in the world of music. He began producing books and videos in 1989 after teaching private lessons for close to 20 years. His catalog of instructional materials is close to 75 items. His listening CDs and Videos number over 14. Steve began touring the world conducting seminars, workshops, clinics and concerts in 1990 and after 5 years he and his wife, Donna, began "Steve Kaufman's Flatpicking Camp." Every other year they have added more camps into their agenda and now under the title "Steve Kaufman's Acoustic Kamps" they host a Fingerpicking Kamp, Old Time Banjo, Bluegrass Banjo and Mandolin Kamp as well. They have grown into the largest Kamps of their kind in the world with students traveling from around the world to Maryville, Tennessee. Since 2002, Steve Kaufman and Donna Dixon have received the Gold Award from a reader's poll in Acoustic Guitar Magazine for running the "Best Workshops, Seminars and Camps." Since 1990 Steve has developed the reputation of being the "World's Guitar Instructor."
Steve stays busy being a husband and father, running his Kamps, tour schedule, writing books and recording videos and CDs (see www.flatpik.com), as well as owning and operating The Palace Theater in downtown Maryville - the area's premier acoustic venue as well as an espresso bar (See www.palacetheater.com).
- Do you have a website?
- http://www.flatpik.com
Comment Wall (30 comments)
- At 2:48pm on May 8, 2008,
Dan Miller said…
- Hey Steve,
Thanks for joining the network! I posted your next workshop on the events calendar and I also started a subgroup for the Kamp (scroll down to the bottom of the page and look on the left). I'm sure members would love to have some words of wisdom there from the Kamp King! If you have anything else you want me to post, just let me know. As you may know, you can enter your own events and add anything you'd like to the blog yourself.
I hope all is well!
Dan
- At 3:26pm on May 8, 2008,
TAKA said… - Hello Steve.
Real Mr......? So glad to see you.
- At 3:35pm on May 8, 2008,
sean needham said… - we are not worthy! ...
- At 8:21pm on May 8, 2008,
Nanessence said… - Hi Steve,
Thanks for introducing me to flatpicking music several years ago at the Autumn Leaves Festival near Honesdale, PA - a life changing experience!
- At 11:15am on May 10, 2008, Nanessence said…
- Yes! Yes! What a magical evening! I wasn't the only one moved to the edge of my seat by the electricity that Saturday night. Unfortunately the festival couldn't get the funding it needed to continue. Steve Jacoby still appears with the Old Time Fiddlers and wows people with "The Mockingbird." I'm glad you have happy memories of our community!
- At 4:31am on May 20, 2008,
David DeLoach said… - Howdy Steve!
We've never met face to face, but I took lessons from you via cassette tapes back in the 80s. You'd send me a tape with tab, I'd learn it, record it, and send it back. I really enjoyed those and in fact still have your tab in a folder somewhere. Just wanted to say hello.
- At 4:47am on May 20, 2008,
Paul (Gus) Gustafson said… - Check out the shirt I wore at the Jay Unger workshop. ;)
- At 5:33am on May 20, 2008,
Lincoln Meyers said… - hey Steve, it's been a while... Whenever you're up this way give a shout and we'll eat some seafood and pick, not necessarily in that order. Hope you are well...
- At 5:56am on May 20, 2008,
Mark Cosgrove said… - Hi Steve,
I look forward to some Kampus picking and I know this will be a great year. Love to the Kaufman household from Maureen and me!
Best always, Mark Cosgrove
- At 11:09pm on May 21, 2008,
Keith White said… - Hey, Steve,
Great version of Cold Frosty Morning in FGM this month.
Soon be Kamp!
KW.
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