About The Hammered Dulcimer

I first learned of the Hammered Dulcimer when I was living in Amery, WI for two years when my father was diagnosed with cancer.

In the late 80's and the early 90's I played for about a dozen weddings, several for friends of mine. I also played for one season at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival, and for a college play at Carlton College.

The photo above is not me, but is a type of dulcimer I hope to get one day made by Jerry Read Smith. I'm open to instruments made by other makers. But, for decades I have longed for one made by Jerry Read Smith because of the professionalism and attention to artistry in the details. Having said that, it seems the lower end on most of the JRS dulcimers don't have as clean of a tone as I would like to have.

Hammered Dulcimer Forum

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Dusty Strings Hammered Dulcimer

In 1980, I went to live in Amery, Wisconsin to be with my father while he was dealing with cancer. While I was there I worked at a machine shop. At the machine shop, there was a coworker that listened to the KNOW Public Radio Morning Show. That was when I learned about folk and bluegrass music.

Within the next couple of years, I would take the money I received from my father's estate to buy guitars and a Dusty Strings Hammered Dulcimer kit. I finished building the Hammered Dulcimer and began to learn to play it. The image on the left is the exact replica of the one I built. Although, I did not have the wood case. I had a nylon case with velcro closure.

Minnesota Renaissance Festival

In 1988, I auditioned to play at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. The talent coordinator wanted me to play that year, but only for tips on the grid. I said no. The next year, 1989, I ran into the talent manager at a Kinko's store photocopying. He said that he could give me a contract that year. So, I was given a very decent first year contract, and put on the talent grip playing for tips. I believe I made over $600 that first season. However, I never played there again.

Carlton College Play

In the late 1980's I was hired to play for a Carlton College play. I had the microphone set up, and provided the Intro, Background, and Closing music for the entire play.

About a Dozen Weddings

In the late 1980's and the early 1990's I was hired to play for about a dozen weddings, a few of them were for friends.