Bruce W. Ford

I'm so excited!  After sweating it out all summer, in November, I
make it up to North Georgia for the North Georgia Foothills
Dulcimer Association festival in Helen, Georgia (Unicoi State Park)
with the family in tow.  I look forward to it ALL year!  I'd love
to get to more big festivals, but this one is positioned in time
and space just right, and I can make it.  (It's at a slow time of
the year for my business, and it puts me within an hour of my
parents just in time for Thanksgiving.)  Anyway, I hope to see many
of you there!  It's always a pleasure to bump into ED folks.  
Just a couple of key announcements to pass along...
 
The Christmas List
You've probably seen the link for the Christmas List on each page
of the site.  Here's what it is:
You can make yourself crazy looking for just the right dulcimer
Christmas gift on all the various vendor and performer websites. 
The idea of the Christmas List on EverythingDulcimer.com is to
combine and simplify a lot of that searching around.  The list will
grow in the coming weeks and provide a nice convenience for us all.
 EverythingDulcimer.com gets a lot of visitors and can be thought
of as the Internet crossroads for the dulcimer community.  It makes
sense to use the resources of the website to (1) help dulcimer
folks find what they want easily and (2) allow vendors and
performers to tell us what they have available.
Vendors and performers:  If you would like to add a brief message
concerning your wares to the list, just email me the text.  I'll
place items on the list in the order they are received.  
EverythingDulcimer.com does not receive any compensation whatsoever
for service.  If you purchase from the Christmas List, you be
buying directly from the vendor or performer.
http://www.everythingdulcimer.com/christmas_list_2007.php
 
The contest:
If you haven't signed up, get over there now and do it!  It's a big
one!
Four lucky people will be winning prizes in early December.  Three
of the winners will get a book and CD set from Russell Cook and
Masterworks...that's a set of two books and eight of Russell's CDs! 
Another winner will get a copy of Butch Ross's Christmas CD
entitled "The Dulcimer Christmas Card".  You can't even order this
CD yet, but after a little arm twisting Butch has agreed to make it
a contest prize.  To register for the contest, and to learn more
about these prizes, go to either:
http://www.everythingdulcimer.com/contest.php#russell - Russell
Cook Information
http://www.everythingdulcimer.com/contest.php#butch - Butch Ross
Information
 
 
 
The Spam Wars
I've recently had to institute some anti-spam measures with some
forms.  Would you believe that there are idiots in the world that
will write scripts to continually submit web forms with their
information.  For some forms...like the club listing form...I can get
hundreds of submissions per day.  This has been going on for
several of our forms and yours truly gets to go through them to
figure out what's legitimate or not.
Well, I tried a solution to stop that, and it lead to confusion. 
So, I'm trying something new that should make it easier when
submitting or modifying clubs, marketplace ads, events etc.  The
anti-spam measure will simply ask you to type in a word.  If you
type in the word just like it's presented to you in the space
provided, the form will be accepted, no problem.
 
Archives of past newsletters can be accessed from:
http://www.everythingdulcimer.com/newsletter.php
 
That's all I have for November.  Next time I write a newsletter,
I'll probably be humming a Christmas Carol.  
Thanks!
 
 
Bruce

Happy Fall!
I see pumpkin patches popping up all over town, so that MUST mean
cooler weather is on the way.  I know, I know.  It's plenty cool
for some of you, but here in Jacksonville...well it's plenty hot
still.
 
Fall is my favorite time of the year for so many reasons.  I like
the crispness in the air, the colors, and onset of the holiday
season.  I suppose that all combines to make it my favorite.
 
Do my eyes deceive me?  This newsletter now reaches over 3,000
email addresses around the world every month!!  In in fact, the 
number is just a few shy of 3,100!  We are a GROWING community!
 
I've just spent the last couple of hours catching up on updates to
EverythingDulcimer.com.  That means that I THINK I'm caught up for
the moment.  If there's something you'd expected to see but still
isn't there, please contact me.  Maybe it slipped through the
cracks.
 
Let me tell you about what I've recently updated:
 
The Contest!
 
Last month's contest was won by Kathleen Stephens.  Kathleen won
Mark Gilston's CD entitled "Travels with Dulcimers."  If you are
not Kathleen, then you'll surely want to go and get this CD at:
http://cdbaby.com/cd/gilston5
 
For October and November...this is a great contest prize offered by
Master Works.  Listen to this!
 
For the Oct- Nov contest (drawing in early December...just in time
for Christmas) there will be THREE contest winners.  Master Works
is donating three sets of the following:
 
(1) The Ultimate Hammer Dulcimer Resource Book by Russell Cook. 
You know Russell, right?  The 1981 HD National Champion?  
 
(2) The Russell Cook Book which contains details of seven great
songs in easy-to-read notation for HD players at any level.
 
...and if that wasn't enough
 
(3) Eight of Russell's CDs...yes, EIGHT!
 
I don't know about you, but winning this would put me in a
conundrum.  Would I keep this for myself, or have 10 Christmas
presents taken care of?  That's a tough one!
 
To sign up, or to see more of the details of this prize set go to:
http://www.everythingdulcimer.com/contest.php
 
The Master Works website is at:  
http://www.masterworksok.com/
 
Articles
 
I've just added two very informative articles by Dave Murray. 
These are 
 
"Pentatonics for Mountain Dulcimer" 
 
and 
 
"Chordish Drones for the Mountain Dulcimer."  
(Thanks Dave!)  These articles and many others are available at:
http://www.everythingdulcimer.com/articles.php
 
Tablature - 416 songs are in the collection
 
This month we've had submissions from Jim Kuder, Walter Johnson,
Sylvia White and Nina Zanetti!  Here's the list:
 
- Angeline the Baker in DGD 
- Be Still My Soul 
- Cape Cod Girls 
- Coast of Peru 
- Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross 
- O Sacred Head 
- Over the Hills and Far Away 
- The Fox 
- Will Ya No Come Back Again
 
I sure appreciate tablature submissions.  This area, as well as
other user-contributed areas, represent the finest of the dulcimer
community.  We share...just like our parents taught us.  We have a
very long list of contributors who have helped us all out by
sharing their talents for the good of the whole community.  Over
time this has become a tremendous resource.  In fact, any club or
band would benefit from perusing the list and adding to their
repertoire.  
 
I invite you to contribute if you can.  I can accept tablature in
most electronic formats. If you can submit, send the files to 

  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
 .
 
Photo Gallery
 
If you haven't stopped by lately, please do.  There are some great
pics there!  You might see someone you know!
http://www.everythingdulcimer.com/photos.php
 
Remember, web archives of past newsletters can be viewed at:
http://www.aweber.com/z/article/?everythingdulci 
or
http://www.everythingdulcimer.com/newsletter/archives.php (older
than October 2006)
 
That summarizes updates for this month.  Thanks for all you do to
support EverythingDulcimer.com.
 
Bruce

The international world of dulcimers.
 
Back when EverythingDulcimer.com started, I thought that interest
in dulcimers, especially mountain dulcimers would be restricted to
the United States.  In fact, I used to refer to it was "America's
Dulcimer Community."  Was I ever wrong!  EverythingDulcimer has
become a gathering place for our international friends.  
 
I've recently heard from a number of international dulcimer
leaders, telling me about their organization.  Here are a few
highlights:
 
Katsumi Ebara lives in Japan, and was exposed to dulcimers and
autoharps while living in Columbus Ohio for 5 years.  He formed a
dulcimer club upon his return and they played "Boil them Cabage"
"Liza Jane""I ll flay away""Sweet Jenny Lee" at a recent festival. 
Yes, they have dulcimer festivals in Japan.  I posted some pictures
from the festival on the photos page.  The three photos from Japan
are about 10-11 photos down.
http://www.everythingdulcimer.com/photos.php
 
Dick Glasgow (Ptarmigan) has recently formed a Eurodulcimers forum
for our European friends.  It can be found at:
http://eurodulcimers.proboards74.com/index.cgi.  Way to go Dick!
 
John Maddison wrote me from Albany Western Australia (not Albany
N.Y.!) to let me know that he meets with a group of amateur
luthiers who were branching out and starting to build dulcimers.
 
So, my friends, EverythingDulcimer.com is starting to get around
the globe.  The Internet is truly a great tool.
 
A freebie!  Andy and Michael Futreal (The Offramps) havebeen nice 
enough to release his recording entitled "The Dirt Roads of Nations"
for us all.  You can download your copy at:
http://michael.futreal.com/offramps/dirtroads.  Andy and Michael
Futreal (The Offramps) have just finished a new album entitled
"Bukka's Bad Trip" which would be worth checking out as well.   The
Offramps have a refreshing, cutting-edge style that will appeal to
the edgier side of dulcimer players.
 
Contest.  This month's prize is Mark Gilston's "Travels with
Dulcimers", his brand new CD.  You'll want your chance to win this
one.  But, you can't win if you don't sign up at:
http://www.everythingdulcimer.com/contest.php
 
Congratulations to Elizabeth Ray for winning the July-August 2007
contest. Shannon won a set of "I Love Dulcimers" notepads donated
by Dulcimers in Duluth (http://www.dulcimersinduluth.com)! There
were 886 entries!
 
The tab listings just keep growing.  We have over 400 songs now,
just waiting to be included in your personal or club tab books. 
Jim Kuder has been sending me a series of tunes.  (Thanks Jim!)  
They are:
   - How Can I Keep From Singing 
   - The Turtle Dove
   - Savior Like a Shepherd Lead Us
   - The King of Love My Shepherd Is (DAA)
 
Thanks to the scores of folks who have contributed to the tab area.
 This area is a HUGE resource for the dulcimer community.
 
Remember, the newsletter archive is right here:
http://www.aweber.com/z/article/?everythingdulci 
 
That's what I have for this month.  Thanks so much for your support
of EverythingDulcimer.com!
 
Bruce

Happy birthday to all my United States citizen friends!
I have some great information about international groups that I'd
intended to write about this month, but I decided to put that aside
and save it for next.

Why?

Well, I felt compelled to remind myself and you about the American
origins of the mountain dulcimer.  (My hammered dulcimers friends
will have to bear with me.) 
 
This 4th of July season is a great time to remember that the
mountain dulcimer is a uniquely American instrument.  In fact,
that's one of the things I enjoy pointing out to others when they
oogle at and admire the sound of the mountain dulcimer.  

In America, all of the commonly played instruments are historical
imports.  The history of the MD starts right here, cloudy at it may
be.  Americans popularized it at a minimum, and likely invented it
though we can't site the date and time.  

For me, I quickly become enamored with the sound, but I've retained
an interest in the MD as a living history story.    I wish the idea
would catch on, but the dulcimer is as American as baseball and
apple pie.  I suspect if more folks knew about its origin...by more
folks, I mean mainstream America...it would be recognized as an
American icon.  

So, the next time you can, ask that Bluegrass band what it's like
playing all those "imports."  Well, maybe not.  But do be sure and
let folks know that these instruments are history in
motion...something no other instrument can boast.  This sets us apart.

Now don't get me wrong.  The MD is ours, and engrained in our
history, but it doesn't have to stay there!  That's why I take
equal pleasure watching folks push the MD envelope and take it in
new and exciting directions.  

So, how about some nice patriotic songs on the MD for the holiday? 
Pass the corn-on-the-cob, careful with those fireworks, and
somebody call a tune...

*** Some exciting news...

I've been giving this a lot of thought, and I've been taking some
prodding from many of you.  I'm pulling together details of a sale
on more "ED gear" or dulcimer stuff you can buy.  We've done this
before and it was a positive experience.  However, I'd like to make
some exciting changes that you won't want to miss out on.  I won't
say too much right now, except for this...

- The products will be very high quality (more embroidery, 
colors, personalization)
And
- Because of that, the sale duration will be limited (to close
orders and get items custom-made and shipped)
Oh! And...
- I'll giving something cool away with each order! 

I'll keep you posted, but I expect to be able to reveal more in the
coming months.

Contest:

Congratulations to Shannon Egan for winning the June 2007 contest.
Shannon won two pairs of Carriage House Creations instrument
earrings! There were 1104 entries!  That doesn't mean you've missed
your chance to get your hands on these earrings.  Just email
Elizabeth at Carriage House Creations
(
  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
 ) for information.

For the July contest Dulcimers in Duluth has put up a set of four
"I Love Dulcimers" notepads.  Go register! 
http://www.everythingdulcimer.com/contest.php

New tablature - We are up to 396 songs!  The most on the net!  And
I remember when we had but one song in there.  These tunes are all
submitted by you!  Please keep them coming!  It doesn't matter if
the song is already in the list.  If your arrangement is different,
please submit it.  We like offering multiple versions of tunes. 
Here's some of the newest offerings.

 - Bully of the Town 
 - June Apple 
 - On a Bridge in Campbell County

Newest Articles:

 - Dulcimers at Dixie Elementary by Johnny Ray 
 - Are You Missing Something - A Closer Look at 1-3-5 Tunings By 
Merv Rowley 
 - Video Article - Amazing Grace - By Dulcimer Dan 

Festival Listings:  

Did you see the latest edition of Dulcimer Players News?  Are you
aware that the festival listing in the magazine comes directly from
EverythingDulcimer.com?  Yep, they have a special page they can log
into and pluck the festival information right out of our database. 
So, if you are organizing a festival, ensure your festival
information is correct in EverythingDulcimer.com and it will ensure
the correct information makes it into DPN.  Efficient, isn't it?

Marketplace ads:

August 8, 2007 is the day of reckoning for Marketplace ads.  As a
reminder, not long ago a new system of automatic removal of ads was
put into place.  All ads will now disappear 90 days after it was
last entered/updated/reviewed.  I grandfathered all existing ads to
give time to get the word out.  That grandfathering expires on
8/8/07.  So, I suspect a great number of ads that are currently
running will go away on that day.  If yours is one of them and
you'd like to keep it, be sure to log into your ad prior to August
8th, review or edit and save it.

That's all I have this month.  Please have a safe and enjoyable 4th
of July!

BTW, archived newsletters can be found from here:
http://www.everythingdulcimer.com/newsletter.php

Bruce

Congratulations graduates, and welcome to severe summer to
everyone.  Around here, it's heating up!  Whew!  Another tell-tale
sign of summer is action in the tropics.  Tropical Storm Barry took
a swipe up the East Coast.  Hold onto your hats!
 
Speaking of graduates.  This event goes down on Friday (tomorrow!),
but if you are in driving distance, I bet this will be a good one!
 
From J.W. & Angela Hames: 
 "You Are Invited To A Graduation Celebration Jam Session Honoring
Jeff Hames, Erin Rogers and Amber Rogers.  The Jam Will Be Held At
169 Azalea Circle, Madison, MS On Friday, June 8, 2007 from 7:00pm
until you can not play any more. Please RSVP as soon as possible to
Angela Hames 601/853-4154 (after 6:00pm) or 
  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
 .
  ***Bring your own picking chair and your own drinks*** Spectators
are Welcome.  This is an outdoor event."
 
Folks, that's tomorrow night (assuming you get this email on the
day I send it!), so if you can go, RSVP right now!  The guests of
honor are three of the best young musicians in the country, so I
can only imagine who else might show up and how much fun it will
be.  I sure wish it wasn't so far for me, or I'd be there!  Don't
miss this if you can go!
 
A great article:
 
I got a great article from Johnny Ray entitled "Dulcimers at Dixie
Elementary" that I wanted to tell you about.  Here is an excerpt:
"My students were so captivated by the sound of the dulcimer
that I soon decided they needed to learn to play this instrument and
I wrote a grant proposal to fund the purchase of sixteen cardboard
dulcimer kits. With the funding of this grant we began the
mountain dulcimer program at Dixie in the fall of 1996. After
teaching a dulcimer unit to all of my fourth and fifth grade
students, we held auditions for those who wanted to be in a
dulcimer ensemble and we soon had a fourth grade ensemble and a
fifth grade ensemble."
 
If you've ever considered creating a dulcimer program for kids, or
are already involved in one, this is a must-read.  By telling you
how he's done it, Johnny's article is packed with great
information.  Here's where to find the whole article:
 
http://www.everythingdulcimer.com/articles.php
 
Speaking of articles...our articles section is a great source of
information on a wide range of topics.  Don't forget to take a look
in there for other articles that might be of interest.  In
addition, if you've solved a problem, or made a discovery, or just
have something useful to share, please share with us all by writing
up your knowledge and sharing it as an article.  This is a great
way to permanently document some of the wisdom hidden away in the
discussion group.  
 
If you haven't noticed, this is Bruce making his annual pitch for
new articles. :)
 
Contest:
 
Last contest's winner was Michelle Fears, who won Jamie Snider's
Canadian Dance Tune Book Two.  We had 1018 entries for the contest.
 
This month, Carriage House Creations is offering TWO sets of
dulcimer and other instrument earrings as a prize.  These are
handmade, one-at-a-time beauties!  Go register!  Yes, even you
men-folk know someone who wears earrings!
 
http://www.everythingdulcimer.com/contest.php
 
Free Marketplace ads: 
 
I wanted to remind everyone that we recently made a change to the
marketplace.  Ads must be re-visited every 90 days to keep them
displaying.  This change was made due to so many ads being
"orphaned."  When the change was made, all the ads were
grandfathered, or given a fresh 90 days.  This expires on August
8th.  So, lots of ads will be disappearing on August 8th.  So, if
you've got an ad there that you want to keep displaying, be sure to
re-visit your ad before August 8th.
 
Newsletter:
 
This newsletter reaches 2429 folks every month near the beginning
of the month.  (That's humungous in the dulcimer world!)  If you've
got an announcement of a special nature that you feel should be
announced here, please email me.  I can't guarantee it'll make the
cut, but I'll try.  When in doubt, send it to me and I'll sort it
out.  
 
BTW, some of the older newletters are archived here:
 
http://www.everythingdulcimer.com/newsletter/archives.php
 
... and the newer ones are here:
 
http://www.aweber.com/z/article/?everythingdulci
 
That's what I have for this month!  Have a great month, safe
travels, and we'll meet up here again next month!
 
Bruce