MIKE AULDRIDGE was born in Kensington, Maryland (Montgomery County) in 1938 and grew up listening to the steel guitar playing of his Uncle Ellsworth Cozzens, who performed with Jimmie “The Singing Brakeman” Rodgers in the 1920s. He bought his first resophonic guitar (or “Dobro”) from Uncle Josh Graves, of Flatt & Scruggs’ Foggy Mountain Boys and was a founding member of the now legendary bluegrass band the Seldom Scene in 1971. Under the leadership of ex-Country Gentleman John Duffey, the Seldom Scene adhered to a philosophy of holding down day jobs — Mike’s trade was in graphic design — and they were fiercely local, playing at the Red Fox Inn in Bethesda for six years before moving to the Birchmere Music Hall in Alexandria. Their signature humor, a repertoire that went well beyond traditional bluegrass, and Mike’s innovative Dobro style made them pioneers of “Newgrass.” Mike remained with the Scene for 24 years — influencing a new generation of Dobro players like Jerry Douglass — until moving on to other projects, including stints with Emmylou Harris and Lyle Lovett. With the Beard Guitar Company of Hagerstown, Mike has developed his own signature line of resophonic guitars.

About the NEA National Heritage Fellowships

The National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowships were launched in 1982 under the guidance of Bess Lomax Hawes, then director of the Folk Arts Program at the NEA, to pay tribute to the nation’s foremost practitioners of traditional arts. Nominated by individual citizens and selected by a panel of cultural specialists, fellows receive a one-time award of $25,000. The NEA National Heritage Fellowships are the most prestigious honor in the folk and traditional arts in the US. Today, over 350 tradition bearers have been recognized for their commitment to their art form and communities — sometimes facing great obstacles — and for their interest in furthering the traditional arts. The Bess Lomax Hawes Award was introduced as part of the Heritage Fellowships in 2000, and is given annually to individuals “whose contributions, primarily through teaching, advocacy, and organizing and preserving important repertoires” have greatly benefited their artistic tradition or enhanced the public visibility of folklife.

Maryland Recipients of the NEA National Heritage Fellowship

2012 Mike Auldridge | Dobro player Silver Spring, MD 2011 Warner Williams | Piedmont Blues Songster Gaithersburg, MD 2009 Mike Seeger | Musician, Cultural Scholar and Advocate Baltimore & Silver Spring/Lexington, VA*2007 Roland Freeman | Photo Documentarian, Author and Exhibit Curator Baltimore/DC*2005 Chuck Brown | African-American Musical Innovator (Go-Go) Brandywine, MD2004 Chum Ngek | Cambodian Musician and Teacher Gaithersburg, MD*2001 Hazel Dickens | Appalachian Singer-Songwriter Baltimore/WV/DC2001 Joe Wilson | Folklorist, Advocate and Presenter Silver Spring, MD/Trade, TN*1998 Apsara Ensemble | Cambodian Traditional Dancers and Musicians Fort Washington, MD1998 Harilaos Papapostolou | Greek Byzantine Chanter Potomac, MD1986 Khatna Peou | Cambodian Court Dancer/Choreographer Silver Spring, MD1986 Ola Belle Reed | Appalachian Banjo Picker/Singer Rising Sun, MD1983 Lem Ward | Decoy Carver/Painter Crisfield, MD

*Bess Lomax Hawes Award recipient

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PERSON Rich Smoker is a master decoy carver who lives in Marion, Maryland (Somerset County) and grew up on the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania. He developed an interest in waterfowl at an early age and began carving hunting decoys with his father.

PLACE Patterson Bowling Center Duckpin Bowling Lanes is the oldest duckpin bowling alley in the world and Baltimore’s sole remaining duckpin-only alley. Located near Patterson Park, it was founded in 1927.

TRADITION The Singing & Praying Bands of Maryland (Eastern and Western Shore) are an African-American devotional/musical tradition that is unique to the Delmarva. With origins in West African religion, Christianity, and African-American ring shout traditions, Singing & Praying Bands developed during slavery.

PEOPLE The descendants of Nathaniel “Uncle Nace” Hopkins (pictured) hold the annual Emancipation Day celebrations in Trappe (Talbot County) since 1867. Hopkins was born into slavery, served in the Union Army during the Civil War and founded the Emancipation Day parade.

PLACE Globe Poster opened in Baltimore in 1927 to produce show posters for vaudeville acts, carnivals, burlesque and movie theaters. It has defined the regional and international visual aesthetic of R&B, Soul and Funk for over 60 years, as well as electoral campaigns, carnivals and festivals.

TRADITION Jousting is one of the oldest rural traditions of the mid-Atlantic region. Maryland is home to two ring jousting tournaments that have run annually since before the Civil War. Jousting is Maryland’s official state sport.

PERSON George Wunderlich of Hagerstown (Washington County) is an acclaimed builder of minstrel era (mid-1800s) Wunder banjos and a

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leading public cultural historian of the banjo and its Baltimore-based commercial roots.

PLACE Blob’s Park & Bavarian Bier Garten in Jessup (Anne Arundel County) was opened by Max Blob in 1933 and is the home for social gatherings, homecomings, and anyone interested in great polka music and German fare.

TRADITION Swan Meadow School of Oakland (Garrett County) aims to educate students on the musical, culinary, literary and storytelling traditions of the Amish and Mennonite communities of Western Maryland.

PEOPLE The United Methodist Women of Smith Island have perpetuated traditions, stories, songs and everyday lifeways for generations. They have become known for Smith Island Layer Cake, anointed in 2008 as our official State Dessert.

PLACE J. Patrick’s, located in Baltimore City’s Locust Point, is the home for social gatherings of musicians, dancers and anyone interested in Irish music and culture.

TRADITION The Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival fills the Howard County Fairgrounds with sheep breeders, cooks, textile artists and every aspect of sheep fancying. It is considered the finest and largest sheep and wool event in the nation.

PERSON Anna Holmes of North Brentwood (Prince George’s County) is an educator, quilter, family historian and community activist whose work on behalf of her family and her hometown has ensured that their stories will be preserved.

PLACE Penn Alps & Spruce Forest Artisan Village in Grantsville (Garrett County) continues to preserve and showcase Appalachian culture for all who venture onto the National Road.

TRADITION The National Outdoor Show has presented the culture of Dorchester County’s marshes since 1938 and is the home of the International Muskrat Skinning contest.