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Mike Auldridge, Dobro Master and Founding Member of The Seldom Scene Dies at 73

(Cover of the 1976 album on Flying Fish)

In between Uncle Josh Graves and Jerry Douglas, there was Mike Auldridge, the preeminent dobro player of his day. Now, unfortunately, his long day has closed. Just one day prior to his 74th birthday, he died on December 29 in hospice care in Silver Spring, Maryland after a battle with cancer.

He was a founding member of The Seldom Scene and was an integral part of the acoustic music melting pot of the 1970's that fused bluegrass with jazz and folk.

Born in Washington, D.C. he began playing music as a teenager and he was given his first dobro by Uncle Josh himself.

I was fortunate to have seen The Seldom Scene many times during its heyday, and while John Duffy's antics and fabulous mandolin playing often were an evening's highlights, Auldridge cut a handsome, lean figure in his freshly ironed faded jeans and silver grey hair, always far stage left, always letting his meticulous playing do the talking for him.

Auldridge last played with Darren Beachley and The Legends of the Potomac bluegrass band. Past bands include Emerson and Waldron, Cliff Waldron and the New Shades of Grass, Chesapeake, The Good Deale Bluegrass Band, and John Starling and Carolina Star. He was also a member of the touring bands of Emmylou Harris and Lyle Lovett.

During 2012 Auldridge recorded a “dobro trio” album with Jerry Douglas and Rob Ickes that is set for release in 2013. The as yet untitled album was recorded in a number of sessions this past year in a studio near his home in Silver Spring.

Auldridge won numerous awards including a Grammy, Frets Magazine's "Dobro Player of the Year", the IBMA's Distinguished Achievement Award and was named an NEA Heritage Fellow this past year. He also had a series of instructional videos.

Comment by No Depression on December 31, 2012 at 7:11pm: Here's a link to another blog about Mike that was posted last night.

Comment by Joe Gorfinkle on January 1, 2013 at 10:25am: Mike's playing really changed the status of the Dobro a lot and he was a flawless player. Anyone who ever heard him play "Killing Me Softly" will never hear that song or the dobro in the same away again..

Comment by Michael Philips on January 1, 2013 at 10:36am: This is a photo I took of Mike Auldridge (center) just this last October performing with Andy Statman on mandolin and I forget the name of the other dobro player with him He was performing at Lisner Auditorium in Washington DC as one of the recipients of a National Heritage Award presented by the National Endowment for the Arts. I guess he was playing right up to the end.

Comment by Mitchell (Bo) Parker on January 4, 2013 at 6:31am: Thanks for this posting - and for remembering Mr Auldridge, and inspiring, memorable picker who made his mark - and lives on though his music, so he is still with us - and will be for a long, long time.

Comment by Jeff Newport on January 4, 2013 at 7:27am: Everybody Slides, Mike along with Lowell George and David Bromberg. Wow!

Comment by Mitchell (Bo) Parker on January 4, 2013 at 7:56am: Slide on brother!

Comment by Karen Johnson on January 4, 2013 at 10:30am: I lived in metro D.C. during the height of the Seldom Scene era. Mike Auldridge was, and always will be, a singular talent and gentleman. Soar on!

Comment by Paul Burke, Author-Journey Home on January 4, 2013 at 12:44pm: Wow I had no idea he was sick - cancer sucks - I mean really.... saw Mike a lot at the Birchmere and playing festivals - I'll remember him as a strong, confident and articulate player and person

Comment by Mick Carriere on January 4, 2013 at 12:47pm: The Scene's Thursday nite shows and their annual holiday shows at the Birchmere were wonderful musical events. But beyond the great music I will always remember Mike Auldridge's cool, button downed stage presence as he played the willing foil to the broad and sometimes over the top humor of John Duffey and other members of the Scene. His role in bringing bluegrass to a much larger audience cannot be understated. I have no idea what the criteria might be for entry into the Country Music Hall of Fame but Mike Auldridge should at least be in the conversation. RIP, Mike Auldridge and welcome to the angel band.

Comment by Mitchell (Bo) Parker on January 4, 2013 at 1:36pm: One of the great things of music, especially recorded music; it is an extension of the soul, and lives on similarly to some extent. He's still here as far as I am concerned , and his many fans, and I have a deep and abiding feeling that is something Mike the man knew and appreciated. Send ten friends a link to some of his music and feel him smile from the angel band venue.

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