This information is now current for Dulci-More Festival 25 in 2019
Dulci-More Festival 25
Concert, Mini-Concert, Workshop
Presenters & Vendors
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Link to Online
Registration Page
(Online registration page will be taken offline around
Updated
(Some Presenters Will Only Be at the Festival One Day As
Indicated in the Schedule)
Concert,
Mini-Concert, & Workshop Presenters
Colin first
picked up and taught himself the hammered dulcimer as a freshman percussion major
in college. Though he eventually changed his major, Colin stuck around the
music school and took everything he learned and applied it to hammered
dulcimer. In this sense, he considers himself a musician first, percussionist
second, with the hammered dulcimer his instrument of choice. His playing style
mixes elements of many different genres of music including, but not limited to,
classical, jazz, folk, Latin,
Colin’s most
notable musical accomplishment is the winning of the 2018 National Hammered
Dulcimer Championship, though he also holds several other regional
championships. Outside of dulcimer, Colin also plays many percussion
instruments including congas, pandeiro, and most notably, steel pans. The
latter has allowed him to play with notable musicians such as Andy and Jeff
Narell, Victor Provost, Tony Miceli, and Bill Summers. Colin looks to blend the
music of the hammered dulcimer with these instruments and continue to push its
boundaries.
This is
Colin’s first appearance at a Dulci-More Festival, but many of our attendees
will know him from Coshocton Dulcimer Days where he was the Mid-East Regional
Champion in 2016 and presented workshops and a mini-concert in 2017. Colin is
from
Robert Force has been a
performer on the American Appalachian mountain dulcimer for 50 years. His book
on dulcimer techniques and styles, In Search of the Wild Dulcimer,
published by Random House in 1974, sold more than 100,000 copies and, in the
words of The San Francisco Chronicle, "helped set the
standards for modern dulcimers." Victory Music Review of
Robert has produced over
thirty albums for other artists, has a dozen of his own, has written several
books, and has performed widely in the US, Europe, and Central America. He has
co-billed with such diverse headliners as Doc Watson, Kate Wolfe, and even Zsa
Zsa Gabor to name a few.
The Sounder Magazine
of
“My passion is teaching
people to play and hear the dulcimer in a contemporary manner. To those who are
in the process of discovering playing music for themselves, I ask you to take a
good long look at the words, "folk music." This is the music of the
people. Whether it is rock, reggae, country, raga, jazz, or other traditional,
all of these styles are music by people about people and for people.” What you
choose to sing and play is important. You are the caretaker of culture.
This will be Robert’s
first time at a Dulci-More Festival. He is from Port Townsend, WA.
The
music of Sarah Morgan embodies her respect and joy of folk music and her
creative approach to arranging. Backing traditional Appalachian melodies and
haunting old time tunes with fresh harmonies and a progressive drive, she lends
a new feel to seemingly "old" tunes, while accompanying pure and
heartfelt vocals with the unpretentious sound of the Appalachian dulcimer.
Folk,
Sarah
Morgan started her musical journey at 7 years old and has fallen in love with
traditional and folk music through the years. A native of
Sarah’s
was also with us for Dulci-More Festival 22.
Mustard’s Retreat ( David
Tamulevich and Michael Hough), met in Ann Arbor, MI in 1974, as short order
cooks, both on hiatus from their studies at the University of Michigan.
Discovering a mutual interest in music/writing and performing, they put
together 3 songs one day after work, and took them to the legendary
Spike Barkin, who produces
the prestigious Roots of American Music Festival at New York City's Lincoln
Center, wrote to thank them for their "folk from the heart," going on
to say it seemed like David and Michael "take your living room on the road
with you and invite people in as friends." David Siglin, of Ann Arbor's
premier folk clue, The Ark, where Mustard's Retreat did that first open mike,
and have head-lined many, many times since said, "In order to last, there
has to be more than just talent - you have to enjoy playing, enjoy audiences
and enjoy being in front of them. Audiences go to your shows because they know
they will be entertained." Margie Rosenkranz, manager of the Eighth Step
at Proctor’s Theatre in
"I work with them
several times a year and always wish it was more." said Canadian
songwriter Garnet Rogers, who also produced their landmark recording The Wind
and the Crickets. “The thing that always impresses me is the incredible
openness they have with the audience. They stand up there and just radiate
friendliness; the audience is included in the whole process, encouraged to sing
along and talk back. I've learned a lot from them in that sense."
"They are so warm and
friendly and giving on stage, completely in touch with their audience,"
said Tom Paxton, a folk music star for more than 40 years. "There are no
barriers at all, and you just love to watch that and be part of it. But the
thing that strikes me about them from
While both Tamulevich and
Hough are grounded in the early traditional 60s folk music boom, they also were
influenced by the songwriters of that time, and their shows represent an
eclectic blend of music, old and new, with a big dash of storytelling. “We have
never performed the same show twice,” says Tamulevich, “Each night is its own
unique moment, unique audience. For us, that is the exciting thing, the magic:
to craft a shared experience and leave people entertained and moved…and with
moments and songs they will take away with them and remember, ponder,
rediscover; hopefully for years to come.” Many of those moments are the result
of their well-respected and broad body of original material, written both
individually and together. “We take our writing very seriously.” says
Tamulevich, “No matter if it is a serious or humorous song. A song is a tool to
communicate a feeling or a story, and we want it to be as sharp and finely
focused as we can make it. It is a challenge that we happily embrace. Each song
is a unique puzzle, and it is fun to see where it can and does take you as you
write it. Michael and I are both very different people and writers; having
different strengths, and that diversity, when we can get it right, can make a
song a whole lot richer and more effective. It is a very rewarding process.”
Those memorable songs have
been a hallmark of Mustard’s Retreat from the first. The spooky, Mallon’s
Bridge, that tells the story of a haunted bridge in Ireland and the midnight
encounter that takes place there, has been a staple of Folk radio on Halloween
since it first came out in the early 1980s. There’s A Dance Tonight celebrates
love and community , the poignant Part of Me Remembers, the humorous Michigan
Mosquitoes, the anthemic ( Ours is a) Simple Faith and Gather the Family…to the
insightful and powerful Pay the Toll….all and more have received extensive
airplay and many have been covered by other singers.
“And it is still new,
fresh, exciting….and fun” concludes Tamulevich. “We still really enjoy all of
this: the writing and the performing. Audiences let us know that they enjoy it
as well. They have taken our music and made it a part of their lives: that is the
ultimate compliment, and as long as they want to see us, we plan to keep
performing.”
Libby Glover sang with
Mustard’s Retreat back in the early days in the 1970s for a few years. Then
life took Libby in other directions for a long time. A few years ago, enough
things had changed in her life that she joined them again for a show. They
realized that there was still something special about the trio. Now they are at
a point where she can join them for several shows a year (including some with
Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary) and for some recording. Those shows are
mostly in
David & Michael have been
with us for several Dulci-More Festivals 8, 10, 15, and 20. David & Michael
were joined by Libby for the Dulci-More Concert Series in April 2018.
Ted Yoder’s hammered dulcimer cover of Tears for Fears’ “Everybody Wants to Rule
the World” became one of the most-watched Facebook Live posts in 2016 when the
song received more than 101 million views from music fans around the world.
It’s no wonder the video went viral; when a barefooted Yoder performed the hit
on his hammered dulcimer in his Indiana family’s backyard with his wife, kids,
and a pet raccoon named Gidget in the audience, he immediately became an
internet sensation known as the lovable “Dulcimer Dad.”
In many ways, Ted Yoder is the perfect
musician for the 21st century; his passionate playing style and easy-going
personality make him a natural online star. But the roots of his talent and
showmanship weren’t simply earned overnight; they’re steeped in an Appalachian
musical tradition with origins which can be traced back to 300
What’s most remarkable about
Yoder (besides the magic he brings to the mallets) is how his career has
flourished at a time when the traditional corporate music industry is in
decline. With his wife Donna, Yoder has created a family culture of creativity
and teamwork that puts his music making at the center of its activities. From
website and social media to music distribution and touring,
Yoder’s family has helped him build an authentic life as a working musician and
a blueprint for the lives of young musicians who want to learn what it means to
play an instrument for a living in the second millennium.
This is Ted’s first Dulci-More Festival. He is from
Bob & Jeanne
McDougall Zentz return for Dulci-More Festival 25 from
Bob Zentz began performing professionally in his native
In 1966, Bob began a two-year stint as a sonar man in the U.S. Coast
Guard, aboard the high-endurance cutter
After the 1971
Ramblin' Conrad’s
The Ramblin' Conrad's experience also existed virtually for more than
27 years over the public radio airwaves, beginning in 1977 with the program
"In The Folk Tradition," and also in the community through the
Songmakers of Virginia -- now known as the Tidewater Friends of Folk Music
-- which Bob founded in 1971, modeled after Songmakers of California, which he
came to know and admire during his time in L.A.
Over the years, Bob participated in many folk ventures, near and far.
He began teaching folk music classes in Old Dominion University’s Rainbow
Program in 1971; he created and ran the "Old Dominion Folk Festival"
from 1972-81; and became a fixture at the Virginia State Fair
beginning in 1980, appearing for his 28th year consecutive year as resident
performer in the Heritage Village in October 2009. He appeared on PBS's
long-running program "A Prairie Home Companion"
in 1982, and crewed and performed aboard Pete Seeger's
Bob has also represented
Local accolades in the Hampton Roads area include the 1992 John Sears
Award for Community Service from Festevents and the
City of
As a performer, Bob is a prolific musician, playing several dozen instruments in a repertoire of more than
2,000 songs. His albums span the genres of folk, traditional, Celtic and
maritime music and beyond, and his recordings also appear on other artist
compilations. As a songwriter, he is celebrated by fans and peers alike; dozens
of performers have covered his original compositions, three of which have been
published in "Rise Up Singing," Sing Out Magazine's
award-winning community songbook.
Two of the most storied songwriters of the 20th century praised Bob's
work, each in his own way. Upon hearing Bob's first release, Mirrors and Changes, country legend Johnny
Cash was moved to send the young artist an encouraging letter, saying,
"Mirrors and Changes ... is one of the finest works I've heard by any
artist." And in 2007, at a symposium at the Library
of Congress' American Folklife Center honoring members of the Seeger
family for their contributions to American music, music legend and humanitarian
Pete
Seeger asked Bob, "Are you still writing those good songs? Your
songs get around!"
Today, Bob has no intention of slowing down. He continues to perform
nearly every week of the year, much of it on the road, and has followed up the
2007 release of his sixth album, "Closehauled on the Wind of a Dream,"
with the new CD "Horizons" in January 2010. He carries his
"informances," rich with "edu-tainment," to audiences
ranging from elementary school students with his "Homemade Music" program to senior
programs including Life Long Learning and the ODU Institute of Learning in
Retirement.
In 2016, Bob and partner Jeanne McDougall launched a series of
activities celebrating the 50-year association of Bob's mentor, William
"Ramblin' Conrad" Bulher, with all things folk in the Hampton Roads
area. The Ramblin' Road Show and Homemade Hootenanny took the
In late 2016, Bob announced the donation of the first phase of his
folklife collection to Old Dominion University as well as the founding, with
Jeanne, of the Ramblin' Conrad Folklife Institute, to provide a place for all
folk to explore the transmission of tradition among people, for people; to
preserve documents, images, books, recordings, and other artifacts of folk
production; and to unite people of all cultures by sharing and exploring our
rich diversity while celebrating our commonality.
The year was capped by the announcement that Bob would be the first
folk artist ever honored by a star in the Virginia "Legends of Music Walk
of Fame" in his hometown of
From schools to concert halls, festivals to fairs, museums to
libraries, and everywhere in between, Bob is dedicated to a life of presenting,
performing, and introducing traditional music and its derivatives to those who
are already fans ... and those unaware of its existence.
Bob and Jeanne are old friends and life partners who share a love of
music and history -- which they love sharing with others!
With a friendship dating back to the early 1970s, Bob and Jeanne
combine his lifetime of bringing traditional music as "edu-tainment"
to students of all ages, with her work as a History Ph.D. with a growing
reputation for helping restore lost musical "soundscapes" and adding
to an understanding of music in a historical context.
Projects include:
The Waters (2018) -- A collection of Jeanne's songs about watery places that she
and partner Bob have visited and loved over the past few years ... featuring
artists including Bob and Jeanne, Michael G. Ronstadt, and Serenity Fisher ...
recommended for anyone who was ever curious about water, tides, wetlands, the
planet … anyone who is interested in music, words, history, science, math …
anyone who loves people and other animals, plants, rocks, anything in nature …
brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, grandparents, babies, kids, grownups, you!
The Ramblin' Conrad Folklife Institute (2016) -- A combination of seminars,
concerts, workshops, and coffeehouses using the theme "Roots and Branches:
The Transmission of Tradition Through the 'Folk Process'" as a way of
providing a places for all folk to explore the transmission of tradition among
people, for people; preserving documents, images, books, recordings, and other
artifacts of folk production; and uniting people of all cultures by sharing and
exploring our rich diversity while celebrating our commonality.
The Ramblin' Road Show and Homemade
Hootenanny (2016) -- A
colorful, jubilant re-creation of the essence of Ramblin' Conrad's Guitar Shop
and Folklore Center that existed in various locations and formats in Norfolk VA
from 1972-1995, nurturing the folk revival of that place and time.
“Fit to be sung in Streets:” Political song
in British Colonial
Created Equal (2012-2013) – a musical setting and video
adapted from the Gettysburg Address, with a study guide, for the 150th
anniversary of the address, November 2013.
“The Prints They All Tell Us:” National Song
Selections from 1810 to 1821 (2011)
-- A collection of newspaper songs that appeared in American publications
during the long war of 1812, prepared for the
Shipmates (2010-2012) -- A nautical trip through a collection of traditional and
original maritime songs, with two more adaptations of nautical poetry by C. Fox
Smith, including the title track.
The Day Kikotan Became Hampton (2010) -- Part of the 400th anniversary of
the founding of Hampton VA, the oldest continuous English-speaking settlement
in North American, this program features a "re-imagining" of musical
encounters between Algonquian and Anglophonic cultures on the lower Virginia
peninsula.
Homemade Music (2009) -- Based on the program Bob has taught
for many years to help students of all ages to learn some of the fundamentals
of music, combined with songs from Jeanne's repertoire – a gift for your family
from ours.
Musical Virginiana, Vol. 1: Stories from
the Rappahannock and Potomac
(2008) -- Music from the previous two projects, in the first of a series of
music from our home state of
The
It Happened at the White House (2007) -- A selection of traditional
American tunes prepared for storyteller Lynn Ruehlmann's dramatic presentation
of true stories of the lives of the eight
Bill Schilling is a
high-energy folk-style singer and multi-instrumentalist who believes that this
type of music should be inclusive. He is the founder and leader of Dulci-More
and the Dulci-More Festival and a member of many other groups, which share or
support the music. At Dulci-More Festivals, he has performed solo and as Bill
Schilling with Carol Ellis; Bill Schilling, Linda Sigismondi, and Marge
Diamond; Bill Schilling & Folks; Threes Co.; Whistler's Lane; and presented
his Schilling's Slides, Songs, & Stories program. Bill has put together the
music that Dulci-More uses and has it available in several volumes and formats:
Dulci-More Public Domain Songbooks -- Volumes 1, 2, 3, Christmas Volume
(all with numbers for lap dulcimer melody strings as well as music, chords,
and lyrics), Autoharp Volume (with melody chord numbers in place
of the dulcimer numbers), General
Volume (with DAA Numbers) which is the full size version of the
four smaller volumes plus much more material, Lyrics with Chords for those who prefer not to have the written
music, but want to play along, and Lyrics
Only for those who just want to sing along. The full size version is over
300 pages with over 300 songs. Bill has released a CD, Songs from Canal Days, with
Linda Sigismondi and continues to threaten to release more recordings upon the world.
Since 2005 with Dulci-More members Marcy and Dale Tudor, he has been the Music
Coordinator and a regular instructor for Folk
Music at Weatherbury Farm, the Tudor’s award winning farm vacation
bed and breakfast in
Dulci-More: Folk
& Traditional Musicians is a club that started in January 1993, at the First
United Methodist Church of Salem. The purposes of the club are to have fun with
folk-style music and to share that music with others. The club meets at 7:00 pm
on the first Tuesday and Third Tuesday (note: it was the third Wednesday until
January, 2000) of each month just off the sanctuary in the Unity Classroom of
the First United Methodist Church of Salem, 244 South Broadway, Salem, OH
44460. All levels of acoustic instrumentalists and singers are always welcome
at the meetings to jam, to learn, to listen, or to perform. Call ahead if you
are coming from far away since performances or special meetings may be
scheduled a few times a year on regular meeting nights. Since October of 2014,
Dulci-More also has DUH! Dulci-More Ukulele Hangout. DUH! meets on the second
Tuesday at 7:00 PM and the fourth Tuesday at 2:00 PM at the First United
Methodist Church of Salem. Playing all styles of ukes, they sing along on a
wide variety of songs and styles. They also welcome all levels of players and
singers, and they have loaner ukes available at meetings.
I, Marge Diamond began playing
dulcimer twenty-nine years ago. Without any musical background, but with tons
of enthusiasm, I passed through the beginner stage. Progress was slow and quite
painful at times, but persistence began to pay off. By attending dulcimer
workshops when ever possible and hanging out with other musicians I began to
pick up some technique, learned to keep a fairly good beat, and began making a
few fiddle tunes my own.
Learning to play was an amazing
thing for me, but then there are the fantastic people I have met along with the
tunes. I just would never have believed that adults could come together to
share music and have so much fun. There is nothing to compare. For twenty-eight
years I have been doing this, and it still feels new and fresh. I am still
learning. There is love shared with the learning of the music.
Currently
Marge plays with The Oberlin Dulcimer
Group and Dulci-More. Marge has performed and taught Dulcimer workshops
since 1987. She has been on hand teaching and performing at all of the
Dulci-More festivals, at most of the Fort New Salem Festivals, at several of
the Kent State Folk Festivals, and has been on hand for some of the COFF
festivals. Since retirement in 2003 Marge has been pursuing her love of making
art. With her business, Winsome
Expressions, she makes airbrushed music themed shirts, "Ultimate
Totes", and other items for sale. Marge has one recording, Beyond Cabbage. which has
occasionally been available on CD.
Marge
has been part of all of our Dulci-More Festivals.
Janet Harriman of
Dually Noted with Jessica Austin
Janet Harriman is a Dulci-More member
who moved from
Janet has always loved music, and
began her journey into its beauty and intricacies as a young child, as there
was always music around her in the home. Sixth grade found her beginning flute
in school, and from that she taught herself to play piano. High school and
college furthered her skills. Since that time she has played piano for church
singing, choirs, solos, and small groups. She has participated in community
bands and orchestras, as well as small folk music groups. She has taught music
in schools, and learned to play many instruments. It was in 2002 that she first
heard the Hammered Dulcimer, and it was "Love at First Hammer!"
She currently writes and arranges
music, as well as performs it, and teaches music, piano and other instrument
lessons, music theory classes, and workshops at festivals. She has written a
book of hymn arrangements for Hammered Dulcimer, as well as a book of original
tunes. Her most intense endeavor has been writing a book on Music Theory for
Hammered Dulcimer players. She also completed a book of Christmas tune
arrangements, titled Sparkle. She currently plays
in "Striking Strings" out of the Eastman Community Music School in
Rochester, NY, (currently her home town) with Mitzie Collins as director. Janet
also plays with her daughter, Jessica Austin, as Dually Noted. Janet’s articles
on hammered dulcimer have regularly appeared in Dulcimer Players News. She has
presented workshops and done mini-concerts for Dulci-More Festivals 11-14, 16,
17, and 19-22. For the Dulci-More Festival 24 and 25 mini-concert, Janet is
including her daughter, Jessica Austin, on stringed instruments. Together they
are Dually Noted. Once again, Jan Douglass may accompany.
The
Hired Hands are a very local group for our festival (living about a mile from
the festival site) and have attended some workshops at the festival in the past
as well as a couple of Dulci-More meetings over the years. Their preference is
for Scottish music (with some Irish and other Celtic music mixed in).
Dulci-More Festival 15 was the first time that some of the group members gave
workshops at a festival, and they were back for Dulci-More Festival 16, 17, 18
(featured in an evening concert that year), 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, and 24. They
also played for the Dulci-More Concert series in December of 2012. They are
returning for Dulci-More Festival 25. These sisters from the Miller family
include:
Allison
Miller began her musical career at age three with Suzuki piano lessons under the
tutelage of Carol Wunderle and although she continued to play piano for the
next thirteen years, she picked up the harp at age fourteen and began to
explore the traditional music scene. She attended workshops at the Ohio
Scottish Arts School and,
after completing an undergraduate degree in biology, had the opportunity to
pursue post-graduate studies in Clarsarch (Scottish small harp) and Scot's Song
at the Royal Scottish Academy of
Music and Drama in Glasgow,
Scotland.
Allison taught with the Comhaltas coinin Erin group in
Scotland, has
taught both privately and publicly in America, and has
appeared in concert in Scotland, Canada,
and at
multiple venues in the States. She and Sairey play as a duo, "The Hired
Hands,' and they released their first CD, Something, in the spring of 2009. She
has her Doctorate in Physical Therapy and hopes to bring both good tunes and
ergonomic playing techniques to the field. She has competed extensively and has
been awarded the title of National Scottish Harp Champion of America after
winning the 2012 National Scottish Harp Competition.
Sairey
Miller has studied the Suzuki piano method under Mary Louise Foster for ten
years, and discovered her love of traditional music when she began to play harp
at age eight. She has taken workshops at the Ohio Scottish Arts School, at the
2007 Edinburgh International Harp Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland, and has had
the privilege of studying under such diverse musicians as Sue Richards, Ann
Heymann, and Sharon Knowles of the US, Wendy Steward, Catriona McKay, and
William Jackson of Scotland, and Robin Huw Bowen of Wales. She has completed
two Bachelor’s Degrees in Biology and Philosophy and is currently pursuing Graduate
School as
a Physician Assistant. Sairey was awarded the title of National Scottish Harp
Champion of America after winning the 2008 National Scottish Harp Competition.
Laura
Miller has studied the Suzuki piano method under Mary Louis Foster since age
six, and picked up the violin at age 10. She attended the Ohio Scottish
Arts School and
was duly converted to the realm of traditional music -- she now plays only
Scottish, Irish, Quebecois, and Welsh fiddle tunes. Since 2005, she has studied
under fiddle masters Andre Brunet of Quebec, Anna Wendy
Stevenson and Mike Vass of Scotland, and Ed
Pearlman of Maine, and
she has competed at the Ohio Scottish Games, the Ligonier Highland Games in Pennsylvania,
and
also at the 2010 National Fiddle Competition in Virginia. She is
currently playing with small folk groups and enjoying the college music scene
where she is studying Liberal Arts at Wyoming Catholic College in
Lander, Wyoming.
Micah
Miller has studied the Suzuki piano method under Mary Louis Foster for the past
nine years and picked up the Anglo concertina in 2005. With the concertina she
is mainly self-taught, learning tunes by listening to CDs and playing with her
sisters. In addition, however, she has had the chance to take workshops with
brilliant concertina players such as Grainne Hambly, Caroline Keene, and Frank
Edgley. The lighthearted tone of her concertina may be heard on several tracks
on the family CD and she often joins her sisters onstage. She plays many local
gigs and sessions, most recently being involved in a musical recording project
for Christendom College in Front Royal, VA, where she is currently studying.
Maggie
Miller began playing the piano at age 6 and found her niche in the traditional
music scene when she picked up the tin whistle two years ago. She enjoys
performing with the family band and has attended tin whistle workshops at the
Celtic Roots Festival in Goderich, Ontario.
Depending upon the tune, Maggie will pull out a multitude of smaller penny
whistles, the Irish low whistle, piano, or percussion...so listen out for some
amazing diversity of tones during the program!
Since
they are coming from their current locations all around the country, we know
that Allison, Laura, and Maggie plan to be with us, but may not know how many
of the others may be with us until shortly before the festival.
Bill
Locke
Bill
Locke
For
over fifty years Bill Locke has been entertaining audiences with his music
which includes old-time dulcimer, guitar, and banjo, as well as ragtime guitar
and spirituals. Bill grew up in the New England
area
and played in several clubs around Boston, New
Hampshire, and
Maine. Bill
joined the United States Navy and served for 26 years. He then moved to the Pittsburgh
area
resuming his music and performing in South Western PA and in Wheeling
WV.
Recently Bill is most readily found at old-time and dulcimer festivals. He has
played the open stage at Dulci-More for five years (once with his wife, Judy).
Bill has a distinctive banjo style learned from people of West
Virginia and
others that have learned from them. Dulci-More Festival 21 was his first time
giving a mini-concert and leading workshops for us, and he has been back again
for Dulci-More Festivals 22-25.
Randall
McKinnon
After
growing up in south Arkansas and
a stint in graduate school in Denver, Randall
McKinnon has settled into the Colorado’s high country
and proven himself as a favorite on the local entertainment circuit. As a 27
year resident of Summit County,
Randall is no stranger to the entertainment expectations and needs of local
venues and special events. An interesting life journey from minister and social
worker to full-time musician has provided Randall with experiences which allow
him to establish a powerful rapport with his audience. His stage presence, warm
vocals and solid rhythm guitar bid audiences to make themselves comfortable –
it’s been said that one of Randall’s shows is like being invited into his home,
but with a bit more elbow room.
Over
two decades ago Randall began performing for dinner sleigh rides – an intimate
setting where he mixed mountain favorites from artists like Jimmy Buffett, John
Prine, and John Denver with children’s sing-a-long and cowboy standards (2015
marked his 24th winter season with the Keystone Stables.). Randall’s growth as
a performer found him reaching back to “country classics” such as Hank Williams
and Johnny Cash while embracing the timeless rock of groups like The Band and
the Eagles. With material from great songwriters like Guy Clark, Steve Earle,
and Fred Eaglesmith, Randall has built on this foundation to offer a fresh
country-folk-rock synthesis that is uniquely “Colorado”,
powerfully entertaining, and just plain fun.
Randall’s
connection with the mountains of Colorado was
clearly apparent in his CD – Where Rivers Change Direction (March, 2010). The
lyrical story-lines in these songs evoke powerful images of the American West –
populated by heroes and outlaws, lovers and loners. Randall’s delivery and the
outstanding musicianship of his band mates, Katie Glassman (fiddle) and Mike
Music (guitar and bass), are the stuff of expressive story-telling and
satisfying listening. This is the work of an entertainer who has spent years
around campfires and woodstoves high in the Rockies and who
knows how to effectively communicate this sense of place.
A
few years ago, Randall and his partner, Cathy Maybury, begin traveling to
festivals and other music events where folks were playing the mountain dulcimer
(a string instrument rooted in Appalachia) and other
folk instruments. This exposure to the old-time and traditional folk music had
a profound impact on Randall's newest project, "Back Home". Joel
Blackmer joined the band on mandolin and bass and Randall added some mountain
dulcimer for some "comfort music" as tasty as any fried chicken
dinner.
Both
of Randall's CDs were warmly recorded, beautifully mixed and masterfully
mastered by Ed Billeaud at Snowflake Studio in Breckenridge, Colorado. (Thanks
Ed!)
Randall
continues to play in the Central Rockies
at
dude ranches, farmers markets, corporate and family events, and for dinner
sleigh and wagon rides. In the spring and fall, he is available to travel
anywhere in the country where some tuneful mountain cheer might be required.
Contact Randall through his website for booking and schedule information.
Brett Ridgeway's philosophy is that "anyone can make music,
regardless of age, musical ability or knowledge!” Brett teaches several
workshops throughout the tri-state area and is a full-time musician/instructor.
He currently teaches hammered dulcimer, mountain dulcimer, bluegrass banjo,
clawhammer banjo, beginner acoustic guitar and mandolin. He currently has a
lesson series available on YouTube and also teaches lessons via Skype and
FaceTime. He has been a featured teacher and performer at the Roscoe
Village “Dulcimer Days Festival" in Coshocton, Ohio and was one of the founders
of the revamped "Coshocton Dulcimer Festival". He is a third year
teacher at the Pocono Dulcimer Winterfest in Stroudsburg, PA and an advanced instructor at
the Buckeye Dulcimer Festival in Ashley, Ohio. He will be teaching this fall at the Nutmeg Dulcimer
Festival in Milford, Connecticut. He has also hosted several self-sponsored
workshops. His most recent in Tampa, Florida with 37
attendees, one participant drove all the way from Texas for the three-hour
workshop! Known from online teaching, one student drove from Miami, Florida to one of his workshops held
in south-western Pennsylvania. Brett tours promoting traditional
American music as “Homestead Creek”. He has released a total of
nine recordings; of which five are currently available. Additionally, an
original composition written and performed by Brett Ridgeway is featured in the
soundtrack of “The Path of the Wind”, a 2010 movie which features Wilford
Brimley. Brett was with us for Dulci-More Festival 21 and has been back again
for Dulci-More Festivals 22-25.
Gary & Toni Sager are
from Waverly, Ohio. They performed and did workshops for us at Dulci-More
Festivals 12-22 and are back for Dulci-More Festival 25, as well as vending
with Prussia Valley Dulcimers Acoustic Music.
Toni has been playing the
autoharp for over ten years, after getting an Oscar Schmidt as a Christmas
present. She had seen a lady playing one at the Fraley Mountain Music Festival
at Carter Caves State Resort in Ky. and fell in love with the instrument. Toni
mostly plays chord style as she plays along with husband Gary, who plays the
mountain dulcimer. She has taught beginner workshops at several regional
festivals. She really enjoys getting folks started on the autoharp. Toni and
Gary have done occasional performances at several dulcimer festivals. Their
recently released recording of instrumentals, Rats in the Fence Corner,
features them with appearances by Doug Felt and Stephen Seifert.
Linda
Sigismondi is a mountain dulcimer player and folksinger from Gallipolis and
director of the Fort New Salem Dulcimer Festival. Her music includes
traditional Appalachian tunes, traditional and contemporary folk music, and
some original compositions that feature environmental themes. She has five
mountain dulcimer books: Appalachian Ballads & Songs, Songs
from Canal Days, Christmas Songs, Celtic Tunes,
and Old Time and Fiddle Tunes. Linda has released a
recording, Songs from Canal Days,
with Bill Schilling and has companion recordings for her other books. She also
plays guitar, Native American flute, Kratz zither, and MacArthur harp. Linda
has taught workshops and performed at many folk music festivals in West
Virginia, Ohio, and New York.
Linda has played at Fort New Salem, West
Virginia, for the Harvest and Christmas Festivals for many years. She is a
Dulci-More member, attending a few activities a year even though she lives in
Gallipolis. She has won many competitions at Roscoe Village Dulcimer Days and
other competitions. Linda has been part of all of our Dulci-More Festivals.
Rich & Kathy Small
Rich and Kathy Small are folk
singers and instrumentalists from Canton, Ohio. They have performed regionally
at many festivals and events as a duo and as members of the Canton Folk Song
Society and Dulci-More Folk & Traditional Musicians. Their harmony singing
of Appalachian Mountain Ballads, Civil War Laments, Lively Audience
Sing-a-longs, Original Compositions, and Folk Songs from all eras is
accompanied by traditional old time instruments such as the Mountain Dulcimer,
Bowed Psaltery, Autoharp, Guitar, Ukulele, Harmonica, and Tenor Banjo. Before
re-locating to Canton, they were the performing hosts for The Old-Time Gospel
Fest concert series at the Bluebird Amphitheater in Carrollton, Ohio and
directed the award winning Arts of Appalachia Music Camp for children in
Carroll County, Ohio.
As Dulci-More members,
they have helped in many ways with the festival for several years including
giving workshops. They were mini-concert and workshop presenters for Dulci-More
Festival 24.
Stringed Fantasy
Stringed
Fantasy returns from the Canton-Massillon and beyond area. Current members include
Rosalind Wilson, Alma Houston, Greg Zuder, Nancy Koenig, Sue Wheeler, and Linda
Hill with hammered dulcimer, guitar, folk harp, violin, recorder, accordion,
percussion, etc. They enjoy playing Celtic, folk, civil war era, and a variety
of music. Several are Dulci-More members and some are members of the Canton
Folk Song Society. Sue and Roz started giving workshops at Dulci-More Festival
2, and Stringed Fantasy has been with us for Dulci-More Festivals 3-11, 14, 15,
18-24.
Mark Alan Wade
performs throughout Europe, Asia and North
America as a
soloist on dulcimer and trumpet. His unique style is the result of his 25 years
of traditional dulcimer playing blended with his formal classical training on
trumpet. His most recent CD, Grass Roots, pulls together Grammy award-winning friends
to showcase the virtuosity of the dulcimer. He brings Celtic and world music to
life and loves to revitalize familiar classical pieces. A National Champion
himself, 6 of his students have also won the National Contest. Mark also loves
teaching beginners and has published 7 dulcimer books to help them get started
right. Mark lives in Akron,
OH with his wife and two sons. Visit MarkAlanWade.com or
find him on Facebook for more!
One of Mark’s
first times teaching and performing at a festival was for Dulci-More Festival
2, and he has been back to perform and teach at Dulci-More Festivals 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 15, 20, 24, and 25.
Alice
Whitehill is a Dulci-More member from Hookstown, PA.
She has been a part of all Dulci-More Festivals. Alice sings and
plays dulcimers, autoharps, guitars, and more. She is often joined in
performance by Earl Whitehill (her husband), Eric Huff (her son, expected at
this year’s festival), Rachel Huff (her daughter), Deb or Kristi Boyd, or
others. She also leads the Dulcimer Players of the Upper Ohio Valley.
She and Earl have won a variety of competitions at Roscoe Village
Dulcimer Days. Alice sells musical instruments and supplies as
Stitches & Strings and is a vendor at this Dulci-More Festival.
Additional Workshops are planned by Jim Stone, Joanne Laessig,
Jim Miller, and members
of DUH! (Dulci-More Ukulele Hangout) Becky
Hawkins, Jean Linton, Bonnie Lutz, and maybe others. Not all
are confirmed yet.
Thanks to Tom Ball for
being the Emcee for the Mini-Concerts.
Tom Ball
with Just Plain Folk
Wild Carrot with Tom Ball for Just Plain Folk at
Dulci-More Festival 19
Special
thanks go to Tom Ball of Just Plain Folk (previously a radio
program and then a webcast at www.twistintomradio.com)
for the support he has shown us by having Bill Schilling and other guests on
the radio show to help promote Dulci-More Festival 6-21 as well as special
Dulci-More events. The weekly show, which features recorded music, the Mountain
Rose report, and live music from guests from the local area and beyond, with
about 3 programs available at any time on the web. Starting with Dulci-More
Festival 9, Just Plain Folk recorded a live interview for later
broadcast as one of the workshops at the festival. Since Dulci-More Festival 10
they have done two different workshop interviews each year. Maureen Sellers
even put out a CD with the material from her Just Plain Folk show. We had Tom
as the emcee for the mini-concerts for Dulci-More Festival 22 and expect to
have him back for Dulci-More Festival 23.
Performers & Performance Order Subject to Change as Needed
Mark Wade, Dan Landrum, & Audience at Dulci-More Festival 20
Festival Vendors (not
all confirmed yet)
Alice
Whitehill (Stitches & Strings)
Alice Ann Whitehill will be back again
for Dulci-More Festival 24 with stock from Stitches and Strings. Alice expects to have a variety of instructional, song, and tune
books for different instruments. She will also have accessories including
strings, stands, electronic tuners and tuning clips, picks, and more. Alice also has several instruments in the shop including lap
dulcimers and Oscar Schmidt guitars and autoharps and cigar box guitars made by
her son, Eric Huff who will also be with her. Alice is a Dulci-More member and has been a part of all of our
Dulci-More Festivals. Alice has
regularly contributed prizes for our Name That Old Time (or Other) Tune Contest and will do so
again this year.
Linda
Gardner
As the expression
goes, Linda Gardner is culling the herd in preparation for moving to a
different part of the country. She will have a variety of her personal
instruments and accessories for sale.
Lynn McLeish
Several In addition
to being in charge of the kitchen operation for Dulci-More Festivals for
several years, Lynn McLeish also scours flea markets and internet sites
searching for bargain priced and other dulcimers to make available to those
interested. She will also have a variety of accessories and other items
available. She may have room to let a few other Dulci-More members display a
variety of accessories and used instruments for sale. If Lynn is not available at
her vending area, just ask for her at the kitchen door (but please, not at meal
times).
Prussia
Valley Dulcimers Acoustic Music Shop
Gary and Toni Sager were with us for the first time at
Dulci-More Festival 12 and this will be their twelfth year with us. They have been
vending at festivals around the country for several years with the Prussia
Valley Dulcimers that Gary makes and many other products. After years of doing
that, they also opened their Prussia
Valley Dulcimers Acoustic Music Shop in Waverly, Ohio a couple of years ago
with a full stock of folk instruments, books, recordings, and accessories. The
shop is located at their home in Waverly, OH 45690; 740-941-1271.
Brett will have a
variety of his own CDs and those he has recorded with Phyllis Woods Brown as
well as books and musical accessories. He also vended for Dulci-More Festival
22 & 23.
Known as the Ohio Bag Lady, Lee Felt sews quality mountain
dulcimer cases and other accessories. Lee and her husband, Doug, and their
products were known at dulcimer festivals around the country for their fine
products. Since Doug passed away in 2014 and Lee has had some medical issues in
the past couple of years, her daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter heave
been taking over the business, but we still expect Lee to be with them for our
festival. Thistledew Acres was with us for our first and second Dulci-More
festivals at Rainbow Lakes and Dulci-More Festival 22.
Contact Bill Schilling by e-mail.
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Contact
Information
Bill Schilling,
Dulci-More Festival Director
234-564-3852
234-564-DULC