Forum Activity for @robin-thompson

Yay-- the link works!  I hope whoever gets your Uncle Will enjoys it-- it's got that old-timey sound, for sure!  

John, I got the message the video is private, is unavailable.  So, we're getting close to hearing the Uncle Will!  

Yikes-- my mistake in not noting John's recording is a "video".  I can read, I promise!    

@john-c-knopf You can either upload to the "Audio" from your personal page on FOTMD  or you should see a little box below the comment box in this thread which reads "Attach File". I look forward to hearing your recording!  

@john-c-knopf When I heard you playing an Uncle Will Singleton design dulcimer on a sidewalk in Hindman.  Your new Uncle Will build is gorgeous and I imagine it sounds great-- just like the one you were playing in Hindman that day years ago.  

Yay!  Many thanks, @ken-longfield, for letting us know!  

What a neat Box Dulcimer, Richard!  Happy strumming to the person who gets it!  

Lisa, "About two in a hill" is, perhaps, a very localized colloquialism.  Though we haven't heard the phrase used in years, Mark and I heard it from older people and we take it they were casually downplaying health woes related to aging.  We both think the reference was to a hill of potatoes which didn't amount to much when dug.  

We have high hopes for our potato crop this year.  Last year's crop was poor-- way too wet a Spring here!   It'll be nice when time comes to dig the potatoes and find out how all has been growing underground.  

P.S.- I don't know whether anyone still uses the response I used to hear older folks give when asked how they were doing: "About two in a hill."      

We don't have air conditioning in our house.  We have a dehumidifier in the basement and run fans in the downstairs.  A couple windows are open upstairs.  Yes, it is hot.  To some extent, we're used to it yet I tolerate heat better than Mark does.   

No plans to spend time in the outdoors this weekend!  

Y'all take care! 

Folks,

I have learned musician and dulcimer teacher Wayne Seymour was involved in a fatal traffic accident in North Carolina.  His wife, Lynn, was injured and is in hospital recovering from surgery and injuries sustained in the accident.  Wayne's wishes were to be cremated and it seems there will be a memorial service announced soon.

I did not have the pleasure of knowing Wayne yet know many in the mountain dulcimer world crossed paths with him through the years.     

I wish you great success with your project, Richard!  

Yes, @dusty, that's the article!  I'm glad you were able to locate it so anyone reading this thread can have a look.  

For some reason, I'm thinking the luthier's first name may be Vince.  Could be totally wrong yet that came to mind.  

I think the name of the maker was included in a piece in Dulcimer Players News in the past year or so.  And the fellow had been a member here at FOTMD, if memory serves, and photos were posted.  

I'm sure it was a treat for your audience to hear you & Ms. Levy!  

@alex-lubet Thank you for the correction-- a mistake I shouldn't have made since I have the cd!  The mezzo soprano is Ms. Vargas and the long-departed poet, Ms. Levy.  

I'm guessing a bad string could be possible.  I'm guessing you've checked the winding at the tuner to see if the string could be slipping in the tuner (due to some overlap in the winding). 

What an awful tragedy for Christophe!  I cannot imagine what he must be experiencing right now.  I wish for comfort and strength for him.  

I was fortunate to get to hear Gary in Lancaster OH some years ago.  He was a great player and luthier.  

Thanks for sharing this wonderful PBS News Hour segment on the Troublesome Creek Stringed Instrument Company!  The folks there on the bank of Troublesome are doing wonderful work!  

Also, I hope it comes to pass that the 2026 installment of the Hindman Dulcimer Homecoming will take place! 

Nice, Dusty-- I like "Moonshadow"! 

@dusty - Wow, how cool-- and it's especially nice your mom was there.! 

Lots of folks participated in International Appalachian Dulcimer Day-- on YouTube, Facebook, The Traditional Appalachian Dulcimore site, I listened to an audio recording on SoundCloud, and here at FOTMD.  There was participation from, at least, five countries.  

One week from today, folks-- 28 March 2026!  The spread of the mountain dulcimer through the US and to many places around the world has enriched the dulcimer world in so many ways.    

Such an elegant instrument!  

@benjamin-w-barr-jr & @ken-longfield A couple of troublemakers, for sure!     Hope y'all had a lovely time! 

DPN is still in business.  I got a magazine in the post not long ago.  

Thank you for sharing this sad news, Ken.  Though I never met Mr. Huron, his name is, indeed, part of current mountain dulcimer history. 

Indeed, Val, time is flying and a day in which we highlight the spread of the Appalachian dulcimer around the world is fast approaching.    

As you already know, I'm a fan of your tunes and the wonderful-sounding mountain dulcimer(s) you've built there in your home country-- I look forward to your recordings!   

I, too, am sorry to hear this.  

It's me bumping this thread again!  

Saturday 28 March 2026 is the day.  

Blue Lion still shows they offer the MusicNomad fretboard oil: https://www.bluelioninstruments.com/accessories.html#instrument_cleaner_polish

I like this group's music!  

https://youtu.be/PnxRVLjTVz0?si=sQyPj7e3PbLRP-Jz

Leo, I offer my condolences to you and all who knew Ms. Adler.  It seems she was an incredible ambassador in the mountain dulcimer world!

Alex, I hope you can find a Minnesotan here!  I've been here since very early on and vaguely recall there being, at least, a person or two from the Land of 10,000 Lakes.  

I only know how to play mountain dulcimer with a noter, which is all about the slide.  :) Hammer-ons and pull-offs with a noter can also be used to give slightly different flavors to tunes.  

Giving this thread a bump.  Saturday 28 March 2026 is International Appalachian Dulcimer Day-- always the last Saturday in March!  

We celebrate the Appalachian dulcimer and its spread around the world-- the more countries represented in the celebration the merrier!  

There will be no burning of mountain dulcimers here at my house!  

Thanks, Ken L & Ken H for the research and your article!  One thing I realize is the story of the Appalachian dulcimer and its origins is still being written-- a good thing!  

@casserole Here in Ohio, the air is quite dry in Winter and I assume the same for your climate.  Be sure to never store a wooden instrument near a heat source.  It is a good idea to use a humidifier of some sort in the case.  I hope your used Folkcraft arrives without incident to your doorstep!