Donald Graves - 28 Aug 1942 - 14 Apr 2014

It was with great sadness that I read on ED that Donald Graves past away a few weeks ago. Don was the great grandson of John Mawhee who started building dulcimers after the Civil War, and the family has continued the tradition of building and playing their unique instruments ever since. Don has recently spent time ensuring that his own grandchildren continue to keep this wonderful heritage alive. The Mawhee 'Walking Cane' dulcimer is one of the loudest and most resonant dulcimers I have ever heard and the family has a tradition ofincluding the dulcimerin string bands. Don's father Bill was a well known fiddler and dulcimer player and Don himself was performing on dulcimer with the family string band until quite recently.

Belowis a link to a wonderful video that captures the joy that this great man had for his music and his heritage. The noter drone playing community has lost one of its greats. I never had the chance to meet Don but would have loved to have had the opportunity to spend some time with this delightful gentleman. My heart goes out to his family.