Hey there Steve! Congratulations on your new gig! Sandie set a high bar, but they’ve selected a talented guy to follow in her footsteps. Happy to help if you want to pitch an idea. Hope to see you at Halsway.
Hello - for some reason I seem to have volunteered to be the new editor of the quarterly UK dulcimer club magazine "Nonsuch News". I am therefore looking for stories to feature in 2026. We cover both hammered and mountain dulcimers (am I even allowed to mention hammered dulcimers here?). So if you have a story to share - history of dulcimers; your personal journey with dulcimers and the dulcimer community; building or collecting dulcimers; unusual tunings used; favourite tunes and songs - in fact anything dulcimer or music related - I would love to hear from you. Sorry, there's no money involved - Nonsuch Dulcimer Club is a charity - but it would be great to hear about dulcimers from a U.S.A. (or elsewhere) perspective. You can contact me at editor@dulcimer.org.uk
Thank you
Steve
Happy New Year! May you live 2026 in reckless, musical abandon! Learning songs you never thought you could play, giving performances anywhere they will let you play and trying out new styles of playing! Fill 2026 with music it just might improve the year.
In answer to your question, in our home we celebrate Hanukah and New Year's. For Hanukah, we light our menorah and make potato pancakes. Our kids are adults so we no longer give gifts. It's very Jewish to get Chinese food for Christmas, so we did. We also called my wife's family (in Hawaii, where she's from) who do celebrate the holiday.
Because my wife is Japanese-American, New Year's is a big deal. New Year's Eve, we make Japanese food. This year, it was sushi and yakisoba, fried noodles. It was a somewhat simpler spread than in years past, but we're not as young as we used to be.
I may have mentioned this before, but I started playing dulcimer (after decades of guitar, bass, and ukulele) when my wife composed a piece for her Japanese fusion ensemble (of which I was a member) and dulcimer was the closest thing we had to a particular Japanese instrument. I've given concerts in China (even on tv) and South Korea and audiences (and composers) love it.
I have some health issues and I got to meet with a dietician yesterday, who was very positive about how careful I've been, especially in preventing diabetes. Per her recommendation, my New Year's resolution is to drink 64 ounces of water a day. I also plan to compose some songs on poetry of Emma Lazarus, who's best known for the inscription on the Statue of Liberty. That seems timely.
Happy New Year to this wonderful community.
Here's to more peace, kindness, and compassion in this world of ours for 2026.
Wishing you all a joyful new year. oxo
Happy New Year! May you live 2026 in reckless, musical abandon! Learning songs you never thought you could play, giving performances anywhere they will let you play and trying out new styles of playing! Fill 2026 with music it just might improve the year.
Thank you, @cindy-stammich-- wishing you and all at FOTMD lots of happy strumming in this new year!
Wishing each of you and your families and friends a Very Happy New Year!
Hi - I just returned here after a few years absence and I am trying to remember how these things work also!
anyway, Happy New Year, everyone!
The next celebration of International Appalachian Dulcimer Day will be Saturday 28 March 2026!
I look forward to seeing videos, audio recording, photos, poetry, etc., of how y'all choose to mark the day!
An amazing collection-- such treasures, Kendra!
Well, my turntable just started acting whackadoo (suddenly speeding up to 78rpm range) so I can’t guarantee the whole album. On the first track it’s solo dulcimer accompanied by a mockingbird. I believe the rest of the album is solo dulcimer (no bowing).
Is the music on the "Chet Hines – Fiddlin' With A Dulcimore" record, duets with a fiddle and dulcimore or a dulcimore played with a fiddle bow or something else?
The "Hollow Poplar" is an album of the 1974 Indiana Fiddler's Gathering performances. I have the vinyl album.
Chet did play the dulcimer on that album
Hollow Poplar - The second Battle Ground Fiddlers' Gathering 1974
A1 Artie P. Crowder, Harold Lamb (3)– Cackling Hen
A2 Seamus Cooley– Cooley's Favorite
A3 Chet Hines– I Don't Love Nobody
A4 Mike Mumbler and the Stink Creek Stump Jumpers, Mark Gunther, Laura Gloger, John Gordley, Tim Wilson (29), John Lilly– Over The Waterfall
A5 John McGreevy*– Tom Fitzmaurice's Reel / Boys Of Ballinahinch
A6 Gene Moore (12), Ruby McDonald, Lyle Mayfield, Doris Mayfield, Mac Abell, Quentin McDonald– Bright In The Corner Where You Are
A7 Donald Duff, Gary Mantooth– Fire On The Mountain
A8 Sean O'Dwyer (3)– The Gold Ring
A9 Quentin McDonald– Pan American Blues
A10 Francis Geels, Jim Mikels– Twinkle Little Star
20:40
B1 Mark Gunther, John Gordley, Bill Foley (2), Tim Wilson (29)– Staten Island Hornpipe
B2 Mrs. Dessie Brown, Jim Mikels– Shout Lulu
B3 Mary Cooley– May Morning Dew
B4 Lowell Keller, Jim Mikels– Hollow Poplar
B5 John Lilly, Tim Wilson (29)– Dallas Rag / Dill Pickle Rag
B6 Elizabeth Carroll (2)– Melody: Fonn Gan Ainm (Airt Without A Name); Morning Dew; Merry Sisters; Tom Steele
B7 Jay Round, Jim Gage (2), Ruby McDonald, Quentin McDonald– Eighth Of January
B8 Jim Gage (2), Walter Sikora, Miles Krassen– The Soldier And The Lady
B9 Larry McCullough– Maid Of Mayberry
B10 Ervie Burge, Laurence Pratt, Jim Gage (2), Walter Sikora– Red Apple Rag
https://youtu.be/8DMet7ox45o?si=bdQj2zEVtYp98NYL
while the picture shows Chet playing a fiddle, the music appears to be just dulcimer. This is NOT on the album I have.
paula
Dan,
On YouTube what did you search for to find one track from "Chet Hines - Fiddlin' With a Dulcimore"? Or can you click "Share" on the YouTube post and paste it in a reply?
Thanks, Tom
This is from discogs.com
https://www.discogs.com/release/21054343-Chet-Hines-Fiddlin-With-A-Dulcimore
Chet Hines – Fiddlin' With A Dulcimore
Label: Not On Label – none
Format: Vinyl, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP
Country: US
Released: 1971
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Country, Bluegrass
A1 Mockin' Bird
A2 Old Joe Clark
A3 Soldier's Joy
A4 Chet's Sawyer
B1 Silver Bells
B2 Flop-Eared Mule
B3 Wildwood Flower
B4 John Henry
Pressed By – Rite Record Productions, Inc. – 27679
Pressed By – Rite Record Productions, Inc. – 27680
Matrix / Runout (A-side Label): 27679
Matrix / Runout (B-side Label): 27680
Rite Record Productions, Inc.
Profile:
Record pressing plant in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; owned and operated by Carl Burkhardt. Rite Record Productions, Inc. offered custom pressing services from 1955 until 1985.
Contact Info:
[obsolete]
9745 Lockland Road,
Cincinnati 15,
Ohio 45215
I also own a copy of this “not quite an LP”. Would there be any copyright issues posting it? I don’t have any recording equipment but could probably find a way to upload a rough recording from my iPhone.
here is the track listing
side one
1. Mockin’ Bird
2. Old Joe Clark
3. Soldier’s Joy
4. Chet’s Sawyer
side two
5. Silver Bells
6. Flop-eared Mule
7. Wildwood Flower
8. John Henry
It certainly would be nice to be able to download a copy of Chet Hines recording. There seems to be several of us interested in hearing it.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
@steve-c , It's nice to know there's one still around. I contacted a dulcimer luthier who knew Chet personally. He has one, too. So, hopefully he will digitize it and make the tracks available. If not, let me know if you ever dig it out of storage. Thanks.
@john-petry - The link you provided is a performance Chet did at the second Battle Ground Fiddlers' Gathering in 1974 in Battleground, Indiana. But thanks.
I own this one but all my equipment is stored for now.
Not sure if this helps?.....the quest continues....
Dan,
On YouTube what did you search for to find one track from "Chet Hines - Fiddlin' With a Dulcimore"? Or can you click "Share" on the YouTube post and paste it in a reply?
Thanks, Tom
I found one trac on YouTube if you want to look there...
I saw an Ebay vinyl LP entitled, "Chet Hines - Fiddlin' With a Dulcimore". It had already sold. If anyone has one, I'd sure like a digital copy of it. I hook my turntable to a Zoom microphone and capture the LP to WAV files. I'd probably drive a long way to get a copy. I have an original copy of his book.
A piece from my new album with vocalist Victoria Vargas. Amy Levy Songs of Love and Loss:
Hi All,
I hope everyone is enjoying their respective holidays.
I was fortunate to receive the gift of two new reviews of my latest album, with vocalist Victoria Vargas, Amy Levy: Songs of Love and Loss :
https://wruv.wordpress.com/2025/12/23/alex-lubet-amy-levy-songs-of-love-and-loss/
Please consider checking them out, along with the album. Much of my music (much of it for duclimer) streams on all the usual sources: YouTube, Apple Music, Spotify, Pandora.
Thanks and Happy New Year,
Merry Christmas to everyone on FOTMD!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our mountain dulcimer friends.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Merry Christmas to one and all and a Happy New year. Blessings
I LOOOOOOVE YOUUUUU, STRUMELIA!! Thank you. 💚
You are amazing, Ken!! Thank you.
I don't think it's a citera (Hungarian). Citeras always have a horse motif, especially old one's like this. I think it's Austrian. There are plenty of Austrian Alpine zithers (as opposed to concert) which have similar stepped drones.
"HO, HO, HO!!! MERR-R-R-R-R-Y CHRIST-MAS-S-S-S-S-S!!!"
You are welcome, Sandi. Let me know how it works out. If you need any help along the way I can give you my phone # or we could Zoom.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
THANK YOU, ROBIN!!
KEN!! YOU ARE AMAZING!! That was super clear instruction, and I a think I can do it. I am so grateful for you and all of the dulcimer community, even though I have not keeping up so well. No better people on all the planet, surely! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! 💚💚💚
Hi Sandi, it's great to see you stop by! 
Sandi, yes you can fix it yourself. You will need to replace the nut (correct name, it is not a bridge). You will need a piece of hardwood the same length, height, and thickness as the broken nut. You will then need to cut slots in the nut for the string. If I were closer, I'd do it for you. You could remove the old nut and send it to me and I could make a new one and send it back to you. It might take a couple of weeks to work it out sending between VA and PA. If you tackle it yourself, first take the old nut off of the instrument. Hold on to it as it will serve as guide for where you should cut the slots for the strings. You will need a way to cut a piece of hardwood to the size of the old nut. You might be able to take it in to a guitar store and see if they have a nut blank of the same dimensions. If the old nut is glued in you may need to knock it out. A sharp rap with a hammer may dislodge it. If that doesn't do it, try a little heat directed on the nut with a hair dryer. That may help soften the glue. Once it is out you will need to clean the slot of any glue residue using a file, chisel, or sandpaper. The next step is fitting the new nut. Then hold the nut up to the new one and mark the spaces for the string slots. Use a narrow blade saw or v shaped needle file to make the slots. Don't cut too deep or the strings will buzz from touching the frets. Put the nut back in the slot and restring the dulcimer. I don't know how clear these instructions will be to you. It is easier for me to tell it someone than it is to write it out. Let me know if you have any questions. I hope you are able to get the dulcimer into playing shape.
Oh, and I forgot to say that I think it is worth giving to someone to start learning to play mountain dulcimer.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Sandi, I have no advice on how to work on the instrument yet hope some knowledgable person chimes in!
