Rob Ickes Bio
A Northern California native, Rob Ickes moved to Nashville in 1992. Two of the first recordings he played on after moving to Nashville both won Grammy awards in 1994- “The Great Dobro Sessions,” an all-star Dobro gathering produced by Jerry Douglas and Tut Taylor, and “I Know Who Holds Tomorrow” by Alison Krauss and the Cox Family.
Also in 1994, Rob became a founding member of the Bluegrass supergroup, “Blue Highway.” Rob toured and recorded many highly acclaimed and Grammy nominated records with Blue Highway for the next 21 years.
Rob has been named IBMA Dobro Player of the Year 15 times and the IBMA notes that he is the most awarded instrumentalist in the history of the IBMA awards.
In 2015 Rob joined forces with singer/songwriter and guitar phenom Trey Hensley. They have released three records together, the first of which was nominated for a Grammy.
Rob has recorded and performed with a wide variety of artists including Merle Haggard, Tony Rice, Alison Krauss, Taj Mahal, Tommy Emanuel, Earl Scruggs, Toby Keith, Josh Turner, Jorma Kaukonen, Reba MacEntire, and many more.
Rob has also been involved in many Dobro teaching events all over the world. He also has co-produced the only Dobro camp in existence, “ResoSummit,” which is held every Fall in Nashville. www.ResoSummit.com
In 2019 he launched an online teaching website with hundreds of members coming from all over the world to learn more about the Dobro at www.bigmusictent.com.
He is recognized as one of the most innovative Dobro players on the scene today, contributing signature technique and greatly expanding the boundaries of the instrument’s sonic and stylistic territory.
Awards
IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Awards:
Dobro Player of the Year (2008, 2007, 2006, 2004, 2003, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996)
Song of the Year (2008-Through the Window of a Train-Blue Highway)
Gospel Recording of the Year (2004-Wondrous Love-Blue Highway; 1997-God Moves in a Windstorm-Blue Highway)
Emerging Artist of the Year (1996-Blue Highway)
Album of the Year (1996-It’s a Long, Long Road-Blue Highway; 2006, Celebration of Life: Musicians Against Childhood Cancer)
Dove Award (with Blue Highway)
Best Bluegrass Album (2004-Wondrous Love)
Grammy Nominations (for Rob’s work on Grammy-winning projects, see bio, above)
Best Bluegrass Album (2005-Marbletown)
Best Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel Album (2004-Wondrous Love)