Statement from the National Endowment for the Arts on the Death of NEA National Heritage Fellow Mike Auldridge

For immediate release
December 31, 2012

		Contact: NEA Public Affairs 202-682-5570

"It is with great sadness that the National Endowment for the Arts acknowledges the passing of 2012 NEA National Heritage Fellow and master Dobro musician Mike Auldridge. Over the course of his celebrated career, Auldridge innovated the use of the Dobro, influencing the development of contemporary bluegrass and country music and paving the way for other Dobro musicians such as Jerry Douglas and Rob Ickes. Auldridge performed as a member of such Maryland groups as the Seldom Scene and also as a solo artist. He recorded with musicians such as Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, Patty Loveless, Lyle Lovett, Doc Watson, Ricky Skaggs, Hank Williams, Jr., and Bill Monroe. During the 2012 NEA National Heritage Fellowships Concert in October 2012, Rob Ickes described the influence of Auldridge on the development of the Dobro: 'You can draw a line at Mike Auldridge. The Dobro is played with a metal bar, metal finger picks, and metal strings. There is a lot of room for noise. This guy figured out how to get rid of the noise and just leave the music.' We join many others in the bluegrass community and beyond in mourning the loss of Mike Auldridge while celebrating his life and enormous musical contributions."

2012 NEA National Heritage Fellow Mike Auldridge performs with Rob Ickes (right) and 2012 National Heritage Fellow Andy Statman (left) at the 2012 NEA National Heritage Fellowships Concert. Photo by Tom Pich Download highres image [1.4mb]

Please see more information on the NEA National Heritage Fellows.

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