'I've always enjoyed hearing Craig's arrangements and virtuosic abilities on the guitar. But when I played Craig's Christmas CD . . . it was an immediate hit with our whole family. His arrangements will put everyone in a festive mood!' - Doyle Dykes On his latest release, fingerstyle guitarist Craig Dobbins gives such Christmas classics as 'Jingle Bells' and 'Jolly Old Saint Nicholas' a down-home bounce with his flawless Atkins-style picking. But he also captures a more pensive aspect of the Christmas spirit on arrangements of 'Away in a Manger' and 'I'll Be Home for Christmas,' which features some fine chordal harmonics (alternating natural notes with artificial harmonics) and a nice reharmonization. Dobbins contributes a couple of Christmasy sounding originals-the bluegrass tinged 'Sand Mountain Sleigh Ride' and the beautiful 'Appalachian Lullaby.' His relaxed feel and excellent melodic phrasing is particularly strong on 'Love Came Down at Christmas,' which he played on a Del Vecchio resonator guitar. -Ron Forbes-Roberts, Acoustic Guitar magazine 'Craig's new Christmas collection is outstanding.' - Bill Piburn, editor, Fingerstyle Guitar magazine Craig Dobbins knows fingerpickin'. He is the author of many books and recordings on fingerstyle guitar, including two volumes on the music of Jerry Reed, and one on the music of Chet Atkins. His books and book/CD sets have been published by Mel Bay Publications, Hal Leonard Corporation, and Warner Brothers Publications. His CDs Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs and Christmas Time have been featured in Acoustic Guitar magazine's Hit List. His articles, transcriptions, and compositions have appeared in such publications as Acoustic Guitar magazine, Fingerstyle Guitar magazine, Fingerstyle Review magazine, and Mister Guitar (journal of the Chet Atkins Appreciation Society). Craig also writes and publishes Acoustic Guitar Workshop, an instructional quarterly for fingerstyle guitarists. Craig's compositions have also been recorded by other guitarists, including Taylor clinician and Winfield Fingerpicking Champion Pat Kirtley (Through the Tears) and 2001 Winfield Fingerpicking Champion, Richard Smith (That's My Boy). A companion book/CD set, "Craig Dobbins' Acoustic Christmas" (Alfred Music) is available. The book includes complete note-for-note transcriptions to ten great songs from the Christmas Time CD, plus an alternate version of the "Joy to the World/It Came Upon a Midnight Clear " medley. All songs are fully transcribed in notation and tab, with performance tips, background notes, and chord diagrams. Quotes: 'Craig Dobbins does great work- it's a cut above.' - Chet Atkins, c.g.p. 'Craig Dobbins does the best job of tabbing and presenting fingerstyle guitar of anyone I know.' - Paul Yandell 'Craig, I'm flattered that you consider my compositions worthy enough to go in your publications. I'm really grateful for that, and if you don't get this quote right, I'm gonna break both your thumbs!' - Jerry Reed 'Craig Dobbins is a gifted player, arranger, and instructor in the art of fingerstyle guitar.' - Doyle Dykes, recording artist and clinician, endorsing artist for Taylor Guitars and Rivera Amplifiers 'Craig Dobbins is a fine guitarist and arranger. His recordings and books will be a valuable addition to your library.' - Bill Piburn, editor, Fingerstyle Guitar magazine 'Craig is one of my favorite fingerstylists. His arrangements always retain a strong sense of melody and at their core they have that simplicity that distinguishes really memorable music.' - Aaron Stang, Alfred Publications, publisher of "Craig Dobbins' Hymns for Fingerstyle Guitar" 'Craig is one of the finest players in the fingerpickin' world today. The fact that he is such a great writer and arranger is a blessing for guitarists everywhere. I am so proud that he plays one of my instruments!' - Kirk Sand, Sand Guitars.
