While I'm thinking about it, John Henry was, to my knowledge, our elder participant in IADD. And he met Jean Ritchie many years ago on one of her trips to the UK. Also, Val Hughes noted some time ago that it was Jean Ritchie who introduced the mountain dulcimer to Ireland. Val contributed audio recordings here at FOTMD for IADD.
I'm willing to Zoom yet don't know that I have much to add.
@dusty I, too, like that juxtaposition! Yes, all embraced the worldwide aspect wonderfully! 
@ken-longfield My apologies-- I never meant to imply anyone was against "International". I just remember my thinking at the time was it would be helpful for it not to just be "National". Again, my apology for creating misunderstanding!
I haven't yet looked at the threads to refresh my memory. I recall when we were kicking around thoughts, I wanted all FOTMD members to feel welcomed to participate in the day, so advocated for "International".
Here on FOTMD, Ireland and the US were represented this year. If there were other countries, please, someone point me to music I may have missed. On fb, the US, England, Ireland, and Australia were represented yet there may have been others-- I hope so! There were folks who shared still photographs of instruments to celebrate, too.
I shared other photos of Dusty's sticker from a couple different dulcimer cases on fb. Dusty, your sticker may not be as famous as you are yet it is working to catch you! 
I'm typing this here so I'll remember: Dean Robinson and Dan Geddes both made nice graphics for posting on fb to promote the day. Dean's may have been made last year or the year before. Dan made a couple graphics this year, I believe. Very nice of them to have done so!
IADD is ready for kindergarten at 5 years old. 
We first celebrated in 2022. So, we just had our fourth International Appalachian Dulcimer Day. Here's the video I put on YT to announce the day to those outside of FOTMD: https://youtu.be/9IeJbS_tb48?si=hSZaLYHOaGasBtGV
I made a video announcement back in 2022 and it got quite a few views on YT-- I'd shared it to FB. I started hash-tagging posts that same year, I believe. The photo you see to the left of this posting is one I began sharing a few years ago, after Dusty sent a few stickers he designed, my way. On fb, if anyone asks questions, such as "Is there a fb page" or "Who runs it/is in charge, etc." I let folks now it's a grassroots celebration of the spread of the Appalachian dulcimer from the Appalachians to countries around the world. And no one is in charge. Any creative endeavor featuring mountain dulcimer is welcome for sharing. 
Mystery or public-- each is a good choice! 
International Appalachian Dulcimer Day (with all its "nicknames") is, indeed, an unofficial holiday of obscure origin. 
FOTMD is where IADD was conceived. 
Sam, thanks for the information about Brandi's song and for the link to Tim Hanseroth-- I'd watched that some time ago yet hadn't looked at it lately.
Participation in IADD came from different countries-- Ireland, England, Australia, US, and, perhaps, other countries of which I'm unaware. So glad to see many places represented!
Happy day after IADD, y'all!
@dusty Thanks for the kind words! We made our usual put-someone-to-sleep type of tune only recorded with a camera. (We hadn't made a video in a year or two because our uploads took many hours. Our cable internet is better now.) I love your Freddy Fender cover! In my mind's eye, I see him with his thick dark hair and wearing a purple suit. So cool you covered one of his songs!
@sam-edelston Such a great spot, Sam, and I'm glad you got to promote your album (it's a very cool album)! I'm guessing one of the Hanseroth twins was the composer of the Brandi Carlile song. It was a nice one to end the spot.
@steve-c Many thanks for sharing the link for Sam's interview!
Many thanks, @katiewaller! I hope you've had a chance to join in on the celebration of IADD!
@dusty That's just cool you were the mystery guest for Send in the Music! I'm sure your play was wonderful and enjoyed by all your audience!
Way cool, @nate! I'll keep my eyes open for your video!
So far, I've seen music shared from England, Ireland, and TN in the US. The more places represented, the merrier! Music does, indeed, make the world a better place.
You've got a real treasure in that Bonnie Carol! I can't offer insight into the types of woods used yet know Bonnie's reputation as a luthier is stellar. Enjoy that lovely dulcimer!
This Saturday, 29 March, 2025-- the more countries which participate, the merrier! Love of the Appalachian dulcimer has spread around the world. 
https://youtu.be/xwGMhADMxoA?si=FvP8tD3bYFeVdReO
A little reminder of the day. :)
That's funny how the AI bot referenced you to tell you about you, @nate .
I've been hashtagging International Appalachian Dulcimer Day on fb for a few years now and think somebodies got "it" in the hashtag game.
Indeed, we did-- what a bunch of troublemakers we are!
@steve-c Just goes to show the power of a #!
I enjoyed the profile. Though David Schnaufer is gone, Vince Farsetta is still making music.
I saw a longer part of Amanda's interview and she took up mountain dulcimer during the pandemic. The dulcimer she's playing wasn't hers but was pulled out by Jimmy Fallon and it surprised her. She said she was nervous yet dove right into California.
What a lovely instrument!
@janis-lewman Hope you'll be able to participate! 
Indeed, it is, @dusty !
I hope to see folks from many countries celebrating an instrument we all love!
Just a little reminder about International Appalachian Dulcimer Day.
I had some lovely interactions with Terry-- such as nice fellow! I hope his passing was as peaceful as possible.
@tonyg Indeed, I did. Thanks for pointing out my error-- I'll correct the posting. And hope I use the correct "A". I'm a dunce when writing/talking about music.
I play DddA (using doubled high drones) and like it lots. I've been stringing instruments for awhile with a wound bass, doubled high drones, and single melody string.
Though I can't recall where I saw it, Harry Styles got a dulcimer from Joellen Lapidus.
Taylor Swift and Tracy Chapman, as I read in one of the more recent issues of DPN, purchased Blue Lion mountain dulcimers some years ago.
One of the lovely things about the mountain dulcimer is they feel like such personal instruments-- meditative, even. Though famous singers may own the instruments, they may not be part of public performance for them. And that's cool, too.
Friends,
International Appalachian Dulcimer Day is coming-- always the last Saturday in March. This year's date is 29 March 2025. Let's all celebrate the spread of the Appalachian dulcimer around the world!
Thank you for the good wishes, Strumelia!
I hope the coming year is filled with many pleasant surprises for us all!
It is a beautiful mountain dulcimer! With a bit of work from a luthier, it could be nicely set up to play.
Thank you, @marg !
Wishing you & all a lovely holiday season!
Thanks for this, Strumelia. I have shared it on another social media site.
What a gorgeous instrument!
