Just days apart, the historic Opera House in Boothbay Harbor will host two of the world’s finest dobro players in what may be for bluegrass fans, and music fans in general, some of the summer’s greatest nights of music on the Midcoast. Jerry Douglas & the Earls of Leicester in concert Saturday, July 16. Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley in concert July 20. Tickets for both performances are currently on sale.

Called “dobro's matchless contemporary master,” by The New York Times, 14-time Grammy winner Jerry Douglas is one of the most innovative recording artists in music, both as a solo artist and member of groundbreaking bands including J.D. Crowe & the New South, the Country Gentlemen, Boone Creek, and Strength In Numbers.

Since 1998, he's been a key member of “Alison Krauss and Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas,” touring extensively and co-producing and playing on a series of platinum albums. His most recent solo album features guest appearances by such notable friends as Paul Simon, Mumford & Sons, and Eric Clapton.

He is touring this summer with the Earls of Leicester. “This is something I’ve been waiting my whole life to do,” Douglas said of The Earls of Leicester, the all-star dream team combo that he has assembled, organized and produced. The band encompasses Douglas, and acclaimed writer, producer, Shawn Camp - lead vocals and guitar, renowned Nashville banjoist Charlie Cushman – banjo and guitars, second- generation fiddle phenom Johnny Warren, and Barry Bales (Douglas’ longtime band mate in Krauss and Union Station) - vocals and bass.

The new group is the product of Douglas’s lifelong passion for the music of bluegrass pioneers Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs and their band the Foggy Mountain Boys, whose seminal work in the ’50s and ’60s created the template for what we know as contemporary bluegrass.

Jerry Douglas and the Earls of Leicester are in concert Saturday, July 16 at 7 p.m.. Advance purchase tickets are $30. All seating is general admission, doors for seating open at 6:30. This special appearance by Jerry Douglas is sponsored by The Bosarge Family Foundation and the Rocktide Inn of Boothbay Harbor.

Another master of the dobro, revered musician Rob Ickes, accompanied by Trey Hensley, plays on Wednesday, July 20. The two began collaborating just a year ago and their first album received critical acclaim and a 2015 Best Bluegrass Album Grammy nomination. Ickes is a longtime, well-established instrumental giant and Hensley - vocalist and guitarist.

From his powerful yet sympathetic vocal interpretations of traditional and contemporary material to his jaw-dropping instrumental skills on both acoustic and electric guitar and considerable songwriting talents, Hensley is bursting at the seams with freshness and musical excitement. His resonant baritone voice is rich, expressive, and equally at ease with classic bluegrass, traditional country, and original compositions. In his young life Hensley has played with Johnny and June Carter Cash, Charlie Daniels, Ricky Skaggs, Steve Wariner, The Oak Ridge Boys ,and Janie Fricke. He’s appeared on bills with Sara Evans, Charlie Daniels, Peter Frampton, Randy Owen, Steve Wariner and Marty Stuart.

Rob Ickes has been playing bluegrass with his much-decorated band Blue Highway for over 20 years, during which time he has been adjudged Bluegrass Dobro Player Of the year 15 times. Rob has played on countless sessions, recording with artists such as Merle Haggard, Dierks Bentley, Patty Loveless, and Alison Krauss. He has also helped form a jazz –oriented trio, Three Ring Circle, along with Andy Leftwich and Dave Pomeroy. His most recent album “Three Bells” is a true dobro summit, collaborating with fellow greats Jerry Douglas and the late Mike Auldridge.

Advance purchase tickets for Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley’s concert are $25. The 7:30 p.m. show is made possible thanks to generous support from J. Edward Knight & Company and the Rocktide Inn. Tickets for all Opera House performances are available through the box office at 86 Townsend Avenue, Boothbay Harbor, or by calling 207-633-5159. Tickets and information are also available online at www.boothbayoperahouse.com.