Shows
Hearts of the DulcimerThe End060 This is the final Hearts of the Dulcimer Podcast episode. Thanks to David Massengill for taking us out with On The Road to Fairfax County.2023-01-3005 minHearts of the DulcimerDulcimer Originals059 In this episode we’re playing originals composed and performed on the mountain dulcimer by the artists themselves. You’ll be hearing music from dulcimer players Gary Gallier, Leo Kretzner, Mary Giger, Aubrey Atwater, Neal Walters, Christine Shoemaker, Holly Tannen, and Ken Bloom.2023-01-1621 minHearts of the DulcimerAshley Ernst, Publisher and Owner of Dulcimer Players News058 In this episode we’re featuring our conversation with Ashley Ernst, the owner and publisher of Dulcimer Players News. DPN has been the quarterly magazine for mountain and hammered dulcimer players since 1975. With music from both hammered and mountain dulcimer musicians.2022-11-2431 minHearts of the DulcimerNew York, New York057 We spoke with people born and raised in New York City in the 1950s and 60s who have become well-known dulcimer players. With Joellen Lapidus, Holly Tannen, Doug Berch, and Rob Brereton.2022-07-2645 minHearts of the DulcimerEarly Music and the Mountain Dulcimer056 In this episode we’re exploring Early Music on the mountain dulcimer. Although the mountain dulcimer didn’t exist until centuries after the Early Music time frame, its tonality fits perfectly with the temperament of Early Music. With music from Howie Mitchell, Holly Tannen, and Jessica Comeau.2022-03-1334 minHearts of the DulcimerA Winter Miracle055 Special announcement from Hearts of the Dulcimer Podcast.2021-12-0803 minHearts of the DulcimerFiddle Tune Stories with The Bach and Beethoven Experience054 In our final episode, we bring you the Chicago-based group The Bach and Beethoven Experience sharing stories behind some of the fiddle tunes they played on their album An Appalachian Summer. We spoke with fiddler Brandi Berry Benson and dulcimer player Keith Collins, who have their feet firmly grounded in the classical and traditional music worlds.2021-11-2530 minHearts of the DulcimerFiddle Tune Stories with Pam Weeks053 If you’re a mountain dulcimer player, chances are you know how to play more than a few fiddle tunes on your dulcimer. Each tune has its own origin story. These stories are often attached to specific places, events, or people. In this and the next episode, we’ll bring you the backstories of some of these fiddle tunes.2021-10-2515 minHearts of the DulcimerGrant Olson Dulcimer Explorer052 We spoke with the talented young dulcimer player Grant Olson from Minnesota. In 2019 at the age of 17, Grant won the coveted first place in the Mountain Dulcimer National Championship at the Walnut Valley Music Festival in Winfield, Kansas. In addition to playing the dulcimer, Grant also composes his own music.2021-08-3125 minHearts of the DulcimerThe Sweet Harmonies of Aubrey Atwater and Elwood Donnelly051 In this episode we feature the stories and music of Aubrey Atwater and Elwood Donnelly, a husband and wife musical duo based in Warren, Rhode Island. They’re well known for their blend of gorgeous vocals as well as being multi-instrumentalists. The amazing array of instruments they play include old-time banjo, tin whistle, guitar, mandolin, harmonica, limberjacks, feet, and of course, mountain dulcimer.2021-05-1152 minHearts of the DulcimerJim and Betty Woods: The Longtime Owners of McSpadden Dulcimers050 In this episode we feature our conversation with Jim and Betty Woods, longtime owners of the renowned McSpadden Dulcimers. Over the last two decades, Jim and Betty were able to maintain and raise the reputation of McSpadden Dulcimers. In 2020, Jim and Betty transferred ownership of McSpadden Dulcimers.2021-02-0544 minHearts of the DulcimerStay Home and Sing with the Dulcimer: with Aubrey Atwater049 Here’s another stay home and play dulcimer episode created during the COVID-19 pandemic. Aubrey Atwater shares tips on how to improve singing and singing with the dulcimer.2020-12-2916 minHearts of the DulcimerStay Home and Play Dulcimer: with Heidi Muller and Bob Webb048 This is another episode created especially for dulcimer players. We spoke with Heidi Muller and Bob Webb, who shared tips and ideas for using time at home to improve your dulcimer playing.2020-05-1717 minHearts of the DulcimerStay Home and Play Dulcimer: with Stephen Seifert047 This episode was especially created for dulcimer players. We spoke with Stephen Seifert, one of the top dulcimer performers and teachers in the mountain dulcimer world. Steve gives tips and ideas for what dulcimer players can do to help improve their playing while they’re staying at home.2020-04-1021 minHearts of the DulcimerThe Deep Sounds of Neal and Coleen Walters046 We spoke with Neal and Coleen Walters, a husband and wife musical duo who have been playing music together for more than 5 decades. Neal is well-known for his deep voice and his dulcimer and autoharp playing. Also featuring music from The Mill Run Dulcimer Band and Doofus.2020-03-2536 minHearts of the DulcimerNina Zanetti: The Gentle Side of the Dulcimer045 We spoke with 2008 National Dulcimer Champion Nina Zanetti about her approach in playing the dulcimer. Nina’s known for her gentle style of fingerpicking the dulcimer.2020-01-2530 minHearts of the DulcimerDulcimer Lullabies044 The gentle sound of the dulcimer lends itself to lullabies. They ease us into the day and calm us down at night. Lullabies give comfort to the inner child in all of us, no matter how old or young we are. In this episode you’ll hear lullabies played by dulcimer players David Schnaufer, Molly McCormack, Neal Walters, Aubrey Atwater, Dusty Turtle, Jessica Comeau, Stephen Seifert, Carol Walker, Kevin Roth, Lorinda Jones, and Duane Porterfield. With commentary by lullabologist Julia Soto Lebentritt.2019-10-2330 minHearts of the DulcimerA Children’s Music Special043 We're focusing this episode on music for children on the mountain dulcimer. You'll hear traditional and original songs, songs about whimsical instruments, animal adventures, and songs about people and places. With music from dulcimer players Heidi Muller, Bob Webb, Molly McCormack, Kevin Roth, Aubrey Atwater, Joellen Lapidus, Rick Scott, and John Elwood.2019-08-0119 minHearts of the DulcimerThe Multifaceted Bonnie Carol and Max Krimmel042 Meet Bonnie Carol and Max Krimmel, multi-instrumentalists and the builders of the well-known and loved Bonnie Carol Dulcimers.2019-06-0135 min
Hearts of the DulcimerThe Healing Dulcimer041 We spoke with dulcimer players Lorinda Jones, a professional music therapist, Sally Smith, a hospice music volunteer, and Marian Perdas and Carollyn Robinson, music volunteers for memory care about how they use the mountain dulcimer to help those in need.2019-04-0136 minHearts of the DulcimerThe Orchestral Dulcimer040 In this episode we feature Oregon-based composer and conductor Mark Steighner, who has written two concertos for the mountain dulcimer. We're also featuring Stephen Seifert, who performed both of Mark's concertos as the dulcimer soloist.2019-02-0133 minHearts of the DulcimerThe Winter Holiday Dulcimer 2018039 With music from all over the globe, celebrate the season with wintry seasonal dulcimer music from Butch Ross, Lorraine Hammond, Jessica Comeau, Don Pedi, Tull Glazener, Madeline MacNeil, Nina Zanetti, Aubrey Atwater, and Christine Shoemaker.2018-12-1022 minHearts of the Dulcimer3 Stories and 3 Tunes from Heidi Muller and Bob Webb038 Winter's Turning, My Barista, and Sacred Ground. What do they have in common? They were all written by singer songwriter and dulcimer player Heidi Muller. Heidi and her life partner Bob Webb tell us the stories behind each of these three tunes.2018-11-1629 minHearts of the DulcimerGolden Ring: A Gathering of Friends for Making Music037 The 1964 LP Golden Ring: A Gathering of Friends for Making Music became one of the most popular recordings of the early folk music revival. In this episode, find out why Golden Ring was a groundbreaking album for the mountain dulcimer.2018-08-2948 minHearts of the DulcimerThe Many Modes of Stephen Seifert036 Stephen Seifert is one of the most accomplished dulcimer performers today. Possessing an impeccable command of the instrument, he's a favorite at festivals and clubs around the country and has performed as a soloist on his mountain dulcimer with symphony orchestras.2018-06-2931 minHearts of the DulcimerThe Dulcimer Adventures of Joellen Lapidus035 In this episode we feature innovative dulcimer player, teacher, and builder Joellen Lapidus. Her dulcimers are simply the most unique and beautiful dulcimers ever built. Equally impressive is Joellen's rhythmically sophisticated dulcimer playing.2018-05-3148 minHearts of the DulcimerHeidi Muller and Bob Webb: Music with a Purpose034 In this episode we feature the music and musical journey of life partners Heidi Muller and Bob Webb. Heidi and Bob are multi-instrumentalists who play original and traditional tunes. They blend each other's influences that reach from the Pacific Northwest to the Appalachian Mountains.2018-04-1154 minHearts of the DulcimerAn Irish Music Special033 In this episode we're playing music from Ireland, all on the mountain dulcimer, of course. With music from dulcimer players Carol Walker, Aubrey Atwater, Neal Hellman, Jonathan Dowell, Mark Gilston, Linda Brockinton, Gary Gallier, Molly McCormack, Lorinda Jones, and Larry and Elaine Conger.2018-02-1929 minHearts of the DulcimerThe Legendary Howie Mitchell032 In this episode, we present the stories and music of Howie Mitchell. An innovator of dulcimer building and playing in the 1950s and 60s, Howie is credited with spreading the idea of the 6 and half fret, the DAD Mixolydian tuning, and the chord melody style of playing dulcimer starting in the late 1950s. All three of these ideas caught on in the dulcimer world and for many players is the standard way of playing dulcimer.2018-01-1356 minHearts of the DulcimerThe Winter Holiday Dulcimer 2017031 Celebrate the winter season with wintry seasonal music by dulcimer players John and Karen Keane, Christine Shoemaker, Stephen Seifert, Wendy Songe, Jessica Comeau, Holly Tannen, and Heidi Muller and Bob Webb.2017-12-1520 minHearts of the DulcimerRichard Ash: The Face of Folkcraft Instruments030 We spoke with Richard Ash from Folkcraft Instruments about the dulcimers his company has built since 1968. With music played on Folkcraft dulcimers from Bing Futch, Stephen Seifert, John and Karen Keane, and Wendy Songe.2017-11-1630 minHearts of the DulcimerThe Driven Wendy Songe029 In this episode we feature dulcimer player Wendy Songe who is an award winning singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, poet, performer, teacher, and nationally touring musician.2017-10-0430 minHearts of the DulcimerA Conversation with Judy Collins028 We spoke with legendary award-winning singer-songwriter Judy Collins about her good friend Richard Fariña. We also explored the importance of Judy Collins' Fifth Album in introducing the dulcimer in the mid-1960s. With additional commentary by Neal Hellman and readings from Richard Fariña's cousin Omar Lugones.2017-09-0730 minHearts of the DulcimerDulcimer Week in the Wallowas027 Dulcimer Week in the Wallowas is an annual adult music camp held over the July 4th week and is devoted to learning the mountain dulcimer. This episode is about our experience at the camp with interviews and music from the festival instructors and attendees.2017-08-2853 minHearts of the DulcimerMark Gilston: The Transcontinental Dulcimer026 From the Balkans to Scandinavia to the UK and the US, Mark Gilston, the first place winner of the 2016 National Mountain Dulcimer Championship, tells us stories behind the tunes he plays.2017-07-1529 minHearts of the DulcimerAaron O’Rourke: Soulful Virtuosity025 We feature the music and our conversation with Aaron O'Rourke, one of today's most innovative dulcimer players and composers. At the age of 31, Aaron has already produced an amazing amount of work in solo and ensemble recording and instruction.2017-05-1451 minHearts of the DulcimerA Mother’s Day Special Featuring Margaret Wright and Cassandra Damper024 For this Mother's Day, we'd like to celebrate all mothers who play dulcimer. We especially appreciate the dulcimer mothers who teach dulcimer to their children and to others. To honor all dulcimer mothers, we're presenting the heartwarming story of a special dulcimer mother: Margaret Wright and her daughter Cassandra Damper.2017-04-1536 minHearts of the DulcimerRichard Fariña and the Cambridge Folk Music Scene PART 2: A Conversation with Ed Freeman023 Ed Freeman was part of the Cambridge folk music scene in the early 60s and interviewed Richard and Mimi Fariña on his radio show in 1965. We spoke with Ed about this and much more.2017-02-2733 minHearts of the DulcimerRichard Fariña and the Cambridge Folk Music Scene PART 1: A Conversation with Rick Turner022 The well-known luthier Rick Turner shares personal stories about Richard and Mimi Fariña and how his luthier skills led him to become part of dulcimer history that was almost forgotten.2017-02-2737 minHearts of the DulcimerAppalAsia: Bridging Traditions021 With the unusual combination of two American and one Chinese instrument, the trio AppalAsia bridge the Appalachian and Chinese music traditions to create music that is soulful, sophisticated, and genre bending.2017-01-1134 minHearts of the DulcimerThe Winter Holiday Dulcimer020 From a contemporary jazz folk original to holiday staples and medieval music, we present tunes that are joyous, reflective, and capture the essence of winter. With music by Linda Brockinton, Heidi Muller and Bob Webb, Lance Frodsham, Jack and Mary Giger, Mark Gilston, Jessica Comeau, Bing Futch, and AppalAsia.2016-12-0130 minHearts of the DulcimerNational Dulcimer Championship 2016019 One of the best places to hear new talent in the mountain dulcimer world is at the National Mountain Dulcimer Championship. This annual event takes place at the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kansas. We spoke with 2016 winners Mark Gilston, Cassandra Damper, and Wendy Songe, as well as Jim Woods from McSpadden Dulcimers.2016-11-2028 minHearts of the DulcimerIvan Ng Sheng Kai: Singapore’s Only Dulcimer Busker018 Singapore seems to have only one performing mountain dulcimer player. He's a 24 year old busker named Ivan Ng Sheng Kai. Hear what it's like to be the lone dulcimer performer in Singapore, and the extraordinary measures he's had to take to find and learn how to play it.2016-10-0816 min
Hearts of the DulcimerDulcimer Short Story with Neal Hellman: Celebrities at the Renaissance Faire017 This episode features stories told by Neal Hellman about celebrities who encountered the dulcimer at the Renaissance Faire.2016-08-2810 minHearts of the DulcimerBlues on Dulcimer016 On the surface, it seems that the mountain dulcimer is not an instrument created for playing the Blues. The impression of the dulcimer's sweet simple sound seems that it would be too gentle to express the raw feelings evoked with the Blues. Additionally, the dulcimer's diatonic fret pattern often doesn't have the notes that are in the pentatonic Blues scale. Needless to say, it takes creativity and persistence to play the Blues on the dulcimer.2016-06-0627 minHearts of the DulcimerSteve Eulberg: Dulcimer Crossing015 Steve Eulberg is a multi-instrumentalist who plays and sings traditional songs and fiddle tunes; weaving together Celtic, Old-Time, blues, and jazz on both the mountain dulcimer and hammered dulcimer. He runs the website Dulcimer Crossing, which provides hundreds of online video dulcimer lessons by several known dulcimer teachers.2016-05-0228 minHearts of the DulcimerNeal Hellman: Part Folk, Part Classical, All Acoustic014 Neal Hellman has played the mountain dulcimer for more than 40 years and is the founder, director, and one of the primary artists on the Gourd Music record label. Gourd Music recordings are known for lush arrangements often pairing the dulcimer with folk and classical instruments. With music by Gourd Music artists.2016-04-0636 minHearts of the DulcimerLinda Brockinton: The Art of Fingerpicking013 Linda Brockinton is known for playing a full chord fingerpicking style on the mountain dulcimer. In 2001, she was the first woman to win first place in the National Mountain Dulcimer Championship as well as the first to win playing a full chord fingerpicking style.2016-02-2727 minHearts of the DulcimerJudy Klinkhammer: A Dulcimer Life, Part 2012 The second in the two part celebration of Judy Klinkhammer's life. She was a well-loved dulcimer player and teacher who lived in the Ozark Mountains in Arkansas. Many people credit Judy for introducing the dulcimer to that part of Arkansas in the early 60s. She truly lived with the dulcimer in the center of her life.2016-02-0638 minHearts of the DulcimerJudy Klinkhammer: A Dulcimer Life, Part 1011 The first of a two part celebration of Judy Klinkhammer's life. She was a well-loved dulcimer player and teacher who lived in the Ozark Mountains in Arkansas. Many people credit Judy for introducing the dulcimer to that part of Arkansas in the early 60s. She truly lived with the dulcimer in the center of her life.2016-02-0627 minHearts of the DulcimerHoward Rugg: Master Luthier of CapriTaurus and Early Folk Roots Dulcimers010 Howard Rugg is the master luthier behind the well-known CapriTaurus and early Folk Roots Dulcimers. The thousands of dulcimers built in his workshop are being played all over the world by amateur to accomplished musicians. Howard has recently started making dulcimers again under the name CapriTaurus. With commentary by Lance Frodsham and Laura Devine Burnett. All the music in this episode was played on dulcimers created in Howard's workshop.2016-01-1932 minHearts of the DulcimerBing Futch: Dulcimer Road Warrior009 Singer and multi-instrumentalist Bing Futch has embraced the mountain dulcimer as his first and foremost instrument. Known for touring around the U.S. in his RV, Bing plays many diverse styles from traditional folk to rock to original compositions to the blues -- all on the dulcimer.2015-12-2922 minHearts of the DulcimerHolly Tannen: Songstress of Folklore008 Holly Tannen is a singer, songwriter, and dulcimer player who lives on the edge of a primeval forest in Mendocino, California. Holly is known for writing contemporary folk songs about personal stories and current events using the melodic and lyrical structure of Appalachian and British Isles folk tunes.2015-12-1233 minHearts of the DulcimerErin Mae: Playing Old Time Music in New Ways007 Erin Mae is a young, innovative mountain dulcimer performer and teacher from Kansas who gives old time music a fresh spin on her chromatic dulcimer.2015-11-2933 minHearts of the DulcimerRick Scott: Canada’s Premier Dulcimer Player006 Dulcimer player, storyteller, actor, and singer songwriter Rick Scott has been playing the dulcimer for more than four decades. Rick has received several awards and honors for his work with children's music.2015-10-2135 minHearts of the DulcimerRichard Fariña Tribute Part 2 with Joellen Lapidus, Owenie and Jim Crozier, Terry Hennessy, Neal Hellman, and Omar Lugones005 We focus on the melodic and rhythmically complex music Fariña created on his dulcimer and explore how his heritage and world travels influenced his music. We talk with Fariña's relatives, people he knew, and two dulcimer players he influenced. We present intimate stories and letters from him to show how his music was ultimately the result of his zest for life.2015-09-3039 minHearts of the DulcimerRichard Fariña Tribute Part 1 with Jerry Rockwell, John Blosser, & Omar Lugones. Featuring music from Caroline Doctorow & Plainsong004 We begin our tribute to Richard Fariña with Jerry Rockwell and John Blosser, two dulcimer players influenced by Fariña’s dulcimer playing. With music from two tribute albums: Reinventing Richard: The Songs of Richard Fariña by Plainsong, and Another Country … The Songs of Richard and Mimi Fariña by Caroline Doctorow. Richard’s cousin Omar Lugones shares insights into Fariña’s music.2015-08-2926 minHearts of the DulcimerScheitholt Part 2 with Ken Koons, Ryan Koons, and Ken Longfield003 We continue the exploration of the scheitholt, the predecessor of the mountain dulcimer: What kind of music was played on the scheitholt? Why did it fade into obscurity? And why is there a surge of interest in the scheitholt?2015-07-3122 minHearts of the DulcimerJoni Mitchell's Dulcimers with Joellen Lapidus and Rick Scott002 Two stories about Joni Mitchell's dulcimers. Joellen Lapidus tells the story of selling a dulcimer to Joni at the 1969 Big Sur Folk Festival. Rick Scott recalls being picked up by Joni while hitchhiking in Canada in 1971.2015-07-1828 minHearts of the DulcimerScheitholt Part 1 with Ben Seymour001 Folklorist Lucy Long and luthier Ben Seymour talk about the mountain dulcimer's predecessor, the German scheitholt. Plus, Dulcimer Week in the Wallowas in Oregon.2015-06-3032 min