Performers List

Performers
from Fairfield, Iowa.

Folk/Celtic Musicians
(Irish Harp, Cello, Fiddle Teachers/Performers) led by singer/songwriter/harper/banjo player/harp-maker and former Columbia Recording Artist Rick Stanley, this Boston native started performing in the coffeehouses of Boston and L.A. and was discovered by The Byrds’ producer Terry Melcher, forming the folk-rock group "The Gentle Soul".

Cellist Robin Pfoutz, Marie Stanley on Irish drum (bodhran), and Tara Dutcher on fiddle complete this amazing group. Robin has toured extensively and performed with many greats like Paul Horn, Livingston Taylor, and Pete Seeger among others. Tara performs regularly with the Celtic band The Beggarmen as well as with the more classically oriented Ariel String Quartet.
Check out Rick’s website.

Performers
from Frankfort, Kentucky.

Bob and Susie Hutchison have performed at Kentucky state parks, regional and local festivals and other events throughout the Southeast. They have both won many dulcimer awards at these festivals including chamionships and a "best dulcimer-playing family" award. Their performances blend Susie's strong grounding in the historical music of the instrument with Bob's bent toward jazz and musical experimentation.

Performers
from Bardstown, Kentucky.

Kentucky Standard Band (three women, one fiddler) has two CDs out now - currently working on a third. Both have received almost constant rotation airplay on Echoes (a late-night national NPR radio show out of Pennsylvania that covers the country). Robert conrad of NPR Weekend Radio out of Cleveland has featured one of the CDs (Angels of Mercy) two times and the band has been used as background music for NPR Morning Edition numerous times.
The combined sounds of dulcimer, hammered dulcimer, violin and fingerstyle guitar coupled with all original material has their Classical Folk music sound in a category all it's own.

Mountain and Hammer Dulcimer Teacher/Performer
from Louisville, Kentucky.

Molly McCormack, formerly known as Molly Freibert, has enjoyed playing, performing and teaching on both the mountain and hammer dulcimers for over 10 years. Molly's musical interests are varied. She often performs traditional tunes as well as many contemporary tunes, both instrumental and vocal.

Molly has had the pleasure of teaching at many week long dulcimer events. She is a regular teacher each year at Kentucky Music Week in Bardstown, Kentucky and has also taught at Augusta Heritage Dulcimer Week in Elkins, West Virginia and Appalachian State University Dulcimer Week in Boone, North Carolina.

Molly has been a featured performer and workshop teacher at many dulcimer weekend festivals around the country including: The Great Dulcimer Convention at Pine Mountain State Park, Southeast Ohio Dulcimer Festival in Athens, Ohio, Knoxville Area Dulcimer Retreat in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Dulcimer Chautaqua in New Harmony, Indiana, Blue River Dulcimer Festival in Shelbyville, Indiana and many more. Molly has visited numerous dulcimer clubs in the region to give workshops to club members. Some of these include: Cincinnati Dulcimer Society, Paul Pyle Dulcimer Society, Northern Kentucky Dulcimer Society, Bays Mountain Dulcimer Club and Northern Illinois Dulcimer Society.

Mountain Dulcimer Performer
from Henderson, Kentucky.

I have performed at weddings, nursing homes, churches, festivals and took 2nd play in the 2006 Old Time Fiddler Dulcimer Contest in Grayson County, KY.  I am a self taught dulcimer musician.  I recently recorded a Mountain Dulcimer CD called "Homespun Dulcimer".  It is 100% dulcimer music, no other instruments.  From the Bluegrass State of Kentucky, the voice of the Mountain Dulcimer comes alive.  A sweet folk/gospel sound that will bring hours of enjoyment.

Link to music samples/videos: Click Here.

Hammer Dulcimer Teacher/Performer
from Baltimore, Maryland.

As part of the rebirth of the hammer dulcimer in the US, Ken is recognized as "one of today’s most accomplished, musical hammer dulcimer artists...A hammer dulcimer player of great taste and sophistication,".
-- Elderly

Ken is well known for his improvisational and expressive style that has been described as "nothing short of astonishing"
(The Connection) and "virtuosic"
-- Audio.

"... he is one of the best hammered dulcimer performers and teachers in the country... coincidently, I just reviewed his latest teaching materials in the current DPN and he also has a brand new solo album out."
-- Neal Walters

"Ken Kolodner is one of the very best hammered dulcimer players and teachers around. Also dy-no-mite on fiddle."
-- Kathie Hollandsworth

Performers from Silver Spring, Maryland.

Karen and Paul play an exciting blend of hammered dulcimer, wooden flute, fretted strings and accordion. Their repertoire is based in Irish music, but also draws from Paul's native Flemish and French music, contra dance and classical repertoire. Paul's lead playing and accompaniment draws from world music rhythms -driving, exotic, syncopated- presenting Karen's lilting, ornamented melodies in unique ways. Both Karen and Paul tour and teach at folk festivals throughout the US.

"...wonderfully energetic and exquisitely arranged collaborations."
-- the Washington Post

Mountain Dulcimer Performer
from Duluth, Minnesota.

Wendy is a dulcimer performer, instructor, enthusiast, and folk instrument merchant. Wendy has taught over 75 beginner mountain dulcimer classes since the early 1990’s to people of all ages. She teaches through community education programs, senior programs, and through additional classes as arranged. She also gives private lessons. She coordinates the annual Dulcimer Day in Duluth festival which has taken place for 6 years. Wendy has performed t many local nursing homes, assisted living places, area festivals as well as private weddings and holiday events. She enjoys giving demonstrations and sharing both kinds of dulcimers with others.

A Bluegrass Band
from Lester Prairie, Minnesota.

Band members are: Mick Bates (guitar, vocals), Greg Landkamer (guitar, mandolin, vocals), Nancy Bates (dulcimer, vocals), and Mary McKennan (banjo, fiddle, viola, vocals).

What sets us apart -- what do we do that almost no one else does -- what is it that makes us different from every one else?

1. We play acoustic instruments -- not electric instruments, and we don't press buttons to play pre-programmed sequences of digital music.
   
2. We play a lot of traditional music -- music that many people would call "old-fashioned" or "old-timey"
   
3. We are all addicted to music in the sense that we need a daily fix and we can't stop playing.
   
4. But the thing that sets us apart more than anything else is that we express ourselves through our music, not with our music. In this day and age there are plenty of people who play music as a means of expression, but for us, music is part of who we are not a medium apart. It is the breath with which we sing, it is the hand with which we paint, and it is the heart with which we feel.

Mountain Dulcimer Performers
from Springfield, Missouri.

Les and Gary Gallier, nationally recognized as pioneers and innovators on the Mountain Dulcimer, are redefining not only how the instrument is played, but the music it is capable of. Each won the title of National Champion at the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield KS. by introducing two very unique playing styles. Gary flatpicks melodies on all the strings, much like a guitarist, while Les, playing in a different tuning, slips on fmgerpicks to produce surprisingly intricate passages. The Gallier Brothers compose 90% of the music they play, blending influences from classical, Irish, rock, Jazz, and mountain styles, to create a true signature sound. Anyone familiar with the lap dulcimer would expect two such accomplished players to coax beautiful, flowing music from the instrument, and they do; but Les and Gary have also shown that power and energy is well within reach.

". . . the band was a healthy step away from traditional. Any purists in the audience were drowned out by thunderous applause and the boys were brought back for a bluesy encore".
-- Louisville Courier-Journal, Kentucky

Hammer Dulcimer Teacher/Writer/Champion Player
from Arnold, Missouri.

He placed first at the 1994 Southwest Regional Dulcimer Contest and third in the 1995 National Championship in Winfield, Kansas. At the prestigious Evart Dulcimer Funfest, the oldest and largest dulcimer fest in the nation, Rick was voted Best Performer and Favorite Teacher in 1995, '96, and '97.

Rick is the founding member of the Cabin Fever String Band and travels across the country playing solo and teaching at music festivals.

Mountain and Hammer Dulcimer Performers
from Bonneville, Missouri.

A versatile duo, Dave and Cathy play several stringed instruments including hammered and fretted dulcimers, banjo, guitar and Autoharp, as well as "found" instruments like bones, spoons, mouthbow and leaf. Their concerts present a range of music from the lively dance tunes they have collected in their home region to old ballads to new songs. They have conducted several instrumental workshops as well as those about songs from the Civil War, from American rivers, old gospel songs, children's songs and Christmas music. Their audiences are as diverse as their repertoire.

Mountain Dulcimer Teachers/Performers
from Missouri.

Linda Thomas and Dan DeLancey are award-winning players who have performed together for over twenty years, gaining the attention of fans and reviewers worldwide. The duo has recorded twelve albums together and facilitates workshops for beginner to advanced players. Linda has published several instructional books with arrangements for hammered dulcimer.

Don't forget! Linda and Dan are available for concerts, festivals, private parties and instructional workshops for hammered dulcimer and flatpicked guitar, too!

Missouri Valley Folklife Society

The Missouri Valley Folklife Society is committed to bringing high quality folk music and dance performances to the Kansas City area. The focus is on musicians and dancers from other cultures, but with strong ties to the history and development of the Midwest. Irish and Celtic performers are strongly represented among their events.

Monthly Contradances are also sponsored by the organization.

Singer/Songwriter
from Reno, Nevada.

Brother Dan began studying classical guitar at the age of six, began performing regularly at the age of eight, and has been playing professionally on a regular basis since 1978. With a catalogue of over 1,000 cover songs off the top of his head from virtually all genres, his original music has now taken precedence and priority in his performances and career.

His passion for music, his talent, and his accumulated life experiences speak strongly to a broad range of people and generations. His music and performances span many different styles and genres as audiences share vicariously in his life through his music.

Folk Singer/Songwriter
from Dover, New Hampshire.

Singing mostly his own songs, he has become one of the most popular singers on the folk circuit today and averages around 200 concert dates a year. Bill weaves a gentle blend of wit and gentle humor into his performances. His music is a slice of Americana, reflecting with the same ease, his feelings about the prairie people of the Midwest or the adventurers of the Yukon. A number of Bill's songs have been recorded by other artists including Glen Yarborough, Jerry Jeff Walker, Grampa Jones and others. Bill has recorded twenty-two of his own albums, sixten of which are still in print. Additionally, Bill's songs have been published in four songbooks.

Performer
from Silver City, New Mexico.

A talented singer-songwriter with a loyal following, Wally likes to think of himself as a contemporary folk troubador. His songs, sung in a resonant baritone, mostly come from direct life experiences and observations. He's a natural storyteller and has a way of drawing audiences into his stories. He can be very funny yet touch serious topics deftly. While he sings about a wide spectrum of experience, overall his message is upbeat and life affirming.

Performer
from Taos, New Mexico.

Year after year, Michael Hearne has claimed our souls with his soothing voice and thoughtful songs. Thousands of two-steppers have danced and twirled to his tunes while he has become synonymous with Taos music during the last quarter century.

Guitar Builder/Performer
from Las Cruces, New Mexico.

"The New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum is proud to call Eddy one of our favorite musicians and cowboy poets. He has a very loyal following at his regular performances at Museum events."
-- Selena Roberts, Public Relations Director
-- New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum
-- Las Cruces, New Mexico

Singer - Songwriter from New Mexico

Regionally popular singer/songwriter Roger Rittenhouse is celebrating a new milestone in his career with the release of his new CD, The Only Man. Musicians such as Roger Friend, James East, Bill McPherson, Larry Logan and Victoria Robertson have united to bring Roger's artistic vision into reality. In 1966 in a music class, the instructor told Roger that he would "never amount to anything in the field of music", only passing with a D average due largely in part to his poor essay on the history of the modern flute. Roger wanted to play the music of his time, and his teacher didn't like it. Finally, Roger reached the height of his high school fame when his picture was in "Country Impressions", playing his guitar. With the completion of his CD, "The Only Man" he has reached heights that even a doubting music teacher would have to acknowledge

Honky Pop Band
from Cedar Crest, New Mexico, near Albuquerque.

For fans of: Elvis, Roy Orbison, Motown, Dwight Yokham, Tim McGraw, Merle Haggard, Rascal Flatts. Genre: Country : Alternative Country. Amazing New Mexico "HONKY POP!" Their performance's at Casino's, Concerts, Opening acts like "Bare Naked Ladies" & "Alanis Morrisette", Horse Races, Sprint Car Races, Dance Clubs, Private parties, Weddings, Night Clubs & Charity events have Wowed listeners & Officials alike. Their Wide Variety of Cover Songs in the Country, Pop, Rock, Blues, R&B, Oldies, Tex-Mex & their Original New Mexico "Honky Pop" has swept the Four Corners Area by storm. We're more than certain you will find these talented musicians a must listen to band. Their New Mexico "Honky Pop" will get you.

Mountain Dulcimer Performers
from Latham, New York.

CarolLynn & Gene Langley play music that builds bridges from the past and offers hope for the future. Their vocals are accompanied by CarolLynn's mountain dulcimer coupled with the chords of Gene's autoharp as they present original, traditional, and gospel music with the sound of days gone by.

Performer from Brooklyn, New York.

Kama Linden is a fireball of energy, passion, and versatility. This gutsy lyricist catches you (and catches you off guard) with her edgy lyrics and voice (as in her first Hot AC single, "WAITING"), lulls you in with SMOOTH vocals ("Crossed Over", her SECOND USA charted single), and has you grooving with sultry sounds that are undeniably her own, which when performed live, have gathered many a crowd at various festivals. She is currently touring the country in support of her latest release, "UNINHIBITED", a mix of POP/Rock and some urban/dance mixes which keeps the listener both interested and entertained. Whether it be an acoustic show, dance remix at a club or street fair (and boy can she dance) or full band, she’s sure to knock 'em dead for she holds nothing back.

"Her songs are dominating and sexy, and so is Kama. This is one artist you want to watch for…or watch out for. Pop/Rock has a new Princess, one with a bit of a grudge, but that’s how we like it. There are some fantastic songs here, Kama has a voice that stands out"
...Stuart Hamilton, the Rocker

"Waiting" spent 14 weeks on charted radio. In its 12th week of AIRPLAY in NW region: it reached charting position #51 in top 100 Hot AC, #27 in the Hot AC MAIN Chart, #14 amongst top 30 indie artists Hot AC, #24 in the indie top 40, and #42 in the Top 40 up and coming artists. The CD has also had international airplay in Australia and Europe. Crossed Over and its remix have just been released to Radio Oct 1. "UNINHIBTED" is being picked up by the college market. CD is for sale on itunes, amazon.com, CDBABY, most download sites, and direct through Kama's website.

Mountain Dulcimer Performers
from the Morganton area, North Carolina.

Slight Departure" is a contemporary acoustic quartet consisting of Alan Darveaux on dulcimer and autoharp, Sherrill Keever on guitar, bass, bowed psaltry, melodica, Jeff Haslam on mandolin, Jim Clark on bass.

"Slight Departure",  Keever's name, came about from playing solo gigs at different places and working with Keever at the estate funded by the great state of North Carolina for the developmentally different adults.

They have performed for a lot of functions on campus and in the community. Their practice led to becoming a duo sometimes called "Duh Squared". Jeff joined playing mandolin with no rules. They are slightly departed from a category of music. Alan's background is in folk and contemporary folk singers. Keever grew up with the Beatles and Doc Watson. Jeff comes from 60's folk with Pink Floyd and Grateful Dead influences. Jim comes out of nowhere with rock, blues and jazz influences. Now the four of them offer a blend of fine harmonies and driving songs in ole time, contemporary, and original material.

Please contact Alan if you would like to engage "Slight Departure" in your event.

Mountain Dulcimer Teacher/Performer
from Shelby, North Carolina.

   Winner of multiple state, regional and city dulcimer competition awards, Joe does a wide range of music including unique arrangements of traditional hymns, Celtic, original compositions, and anything that he thinks sounds “cool” that usually isn’t played on the dulcimer. A folk singer who has a passion for writing and performing humorous pieces, he enjoys being accompanied by the laughter of an audience. He has produced several tab books and CDs.

Mountain Dulcimer Teacher/Performer/Composer
from Wilkesboro, North Carolina.

I am a dulcimer player and teacher as well as a songwriter and composer. I am currently teaching guitar and mountain dulcimer at Minton's Music and Pawn North Wilkesboro. I have done five CDs in the last five years and I am working on number six right now. I wrote and recorded "Fiddlin' With A Dulcimer" with Jan Johansson in the year 2000 to great reviews. The title song went on to be the music for the documentary "Centennial Ohio" for PBS. The film won the Silver Award that year the Oscar's of documentaries. Four of my songs are in the film "Blue Ridge By-Ways" by the state of North Carolina. This film is the history of the Blue Ridge Parkway and Western Carolina shown to all fourth grades in the state as part of North Carolina history.

My new Cd on my own label has three songs playing on the Tawng Radio Network with "Up On The Mountain" (a dulcimer based song) at #4. I have signed with Refined Records and my first CD for them is just coming out now. I play the guitar, banjo, mandolin and harmonica as well as being a folk story teller being a student of my friend Orville Hicks, the greatest story teller in our country. The CD "Fiddlin' With A Dulcimer" won fame with a great review by Art Menius who is really Mr. Acoustic Music and works full time for Merlefest. I also received a great review from Dulcimer players News for all three Dulcimer and fiddle/mandolin CDs.

I have been in the business of music since I was eleven years old and am now fifty six. As you can see I have been at this a while. I do some performances each year, but I spend more time writing these days. My work now is much more in the traditional style and I worked with Don Pedi to take fiddle tunes to dulcimer. Unlike other fiddle tune players I wanted to use a noter and these tunes are now being recorded for my next CD.

Mountain Dulcimer Teacher/Performer
from Bryson City, North Carolina.

For over 20 years Lois Hornbostel has been known as one of the foremost developers and promoters of mountain dulcimer playing and music. Her mastery of the instrument has resulted in best-selling books for Mel Bay Publications, acclaimed recordings, and dulcimer playing championships including those at the Galax, VA, and Fiddlers Grove, NC old-time fiddlers' conventions.

Lois' musical versatility comes from having learned her music firsthand from traditional musicians within their cultures - traditional Irish in New York, Cajun music in Louisiana, and old-time string band music in North Carolina. Her first recording, "Vive le Dulcimer," which featured international folk music that she adapted to the dulcimer, was a finalist for an "Indie" Award in the World Music category. Lois’s more recent instrumental recordings, "Dulcimer Enchantment" and "Dulcimer Jubilee," dynamically present the versatile sounds of the mountain dulcimer. She was chosen for a compilation of renowned dulcimer players called "Masters of the Mountain Dulcimer,
Volume I."

Lois is the editor of a new internet dulcimer "webzine" for Mel Bay Publications entitled "Dulcimer Sessions.". Lois has been a featured performer at the Smithsonian, England's Cecil Sharpe House, the National Symposium on Multicultural Music, the Swannanoa Gathering, Augusta Heritage Center, and major dulcimer events.

Performing songwriter
from Flat Rock, North Carolina.

Recently moved to Western North Carolina after 13 years in Nashville, Tennessee, his playing and writing were greatly influenced by singer-songwriters such as Dave Mallett, John Prine, Steve Goodman, and Jonathan Edwards. Tom performed for many years throughout the Northeast at colleges, clubs and coffeehouses.

He formed his own publishing company and his songs have been recorded by a number of independent artists.  "I'm always thrilled and honored when an artist chooses to record one of my songs."  Tom continues to pitch his songs to other artists but his main focus now lies in his own career as a performer.

"My experience in Nashville has been a great education in the music business and the craft of songwriting. But the most important lesson I've learned through the years is to remain true to myself and my music and I think my new CD reflects that. I'm having a great time writing and playing music that I love!"
--Tom Fisch

His song, "Old Familiar Love", has been recorded by the Oak Ridge Boys for their new album "The Journey". The album is on the Spring Hill Music label and should be available at major retailers as well as the  Oak Ridge Boys' Website.