Robert Force was once sitting in my living room and we decided to play together.  I pulled out my dulcimer and pick and the first thing Robert said was "I've been on a nutria hunt to get rid of those!"  He was pointing to my big red Herdim pick.

 Hmmm...I thought we dulcimer players HAD to use those funny looking triangular picks.  

 I didn't think too much of it, but over time I started to experiment.  Well folks, I'm here to tell you, I don't use them any more.  In fact, you can't give me one.  

 It took some experimentation, but I discovered that I prefer a rounded pick, of medium thickness with some embossed lettering that helps me hang onto it.   

So, how about you?  Are you using the pick you use because you know it's the pick for you, or just because that's what everyone around you is using?  

You know, picks are really cheap!  Splurge and experiment!

Uh oh!  Erika looks like it could impact Florida.  It's a little early to tell, but her is trajectory favorable to a Florida "strike."  However, it's projected to be just a low (not even a depression) in 5 days.  It is supposed to rake up the Caribbean islands providing lots of friction.  So, we'll see.  I'm not expecting much out of this one.  I guess that's my professional opinion.  Keep Stummin!

Well, the big switch over to the new EverythingDulcimer.com happened two days ago.  The tweaking continues.  It's such a content rich, multi-faceted site that this is a huge project.  The original idea was to have everything in place and ready, so that folks just wake up and it's completely different and everything is in place.

That wasn't going to happen thanks to other commitments and schedules.

For all these years, it's just been ME running the site.  That's okay until a site reaches a certain size and visitorship.  After that, it requires a team...some division of labor.  The current team consists of three of us doing the work at EverythingDulcimer.com...that's Dan Landrum bringing DPN's leadership, content and graphics talent, Steve Seifert helping with technical issues and myself.  My role has changed to that of forum administrator, newsletter author and kind of a spokesperson, I suppose.  

Over the last two day, I've gotten in on the discussion...something I haven't taken the time to do in a long time.  By sharing the burden, I think it'll actually let me enjoy the site a bit.  I'm looking forward to getting into some more discussions, submitting content and being more of a part of the EverythingDulcimer.com community.  Yippee!

(Did I mention how NICE it is to let someone else (Steve) handle technical issues...wow!)

So, I'm relishing this team concept for selfish reasons.  Naturally, a team means a better overall site with which to server the community as well.  

Praise for "Gator Clubbin' Society" 

"Gator Clubbin' Society is a great example of what happens when a player takes a recording project seriously, while not forgetting to have a lot of fun with the music."

Snippet from Dulcimer Player News Winter 2009 Edition - Review by Aaron O'Rourke (See page 50 to read the entire review!)

"I love the CD.  I like being able to hear the dulcimers in each song. In fact I say that I would buy your 2nd CD if and when that happens." 

- Joan, Fenton, MO

"That was the best 12 bucks i have spent in a very long time!"

- Shannon, Biloxi, MS

"I love listening to you sing WONDERFUL WORLD."

- Suzanne Shaler

"I've had this CD on repeat all week!"

- Jeff Elkins, Ocala FL 

"I love it because it is all dulcimer. I am just learning to play the mountain dulcimer. I am 100% satisfied."

- Gwenn

"It strikes a chord in the gentle soul of a folk/acoustic/dulcimer fan."

- Melanie, Ontario

"Got it downloaded and listened to it today! It's GREAT! It is indeed a very nice mix. I love the Gator clubbin song! Good job Bruce!!!"

- Lori, North Carolina

"A great debut - touches the heart in all the right places."

- Bing Futch, Orlando FL

"I truly enjoy the instrumentation and lyrics Bruce bundled together in this fine CD."

- Sean Favata, Tampa, FL

What a great festival!

Personally, I had a great time getting to know folks.  Many of the folks I got to meet were those that I've exchanged email with in the past, so putting faces with email addresses was fun to do!  There were too many to mention because I'd miss some. 

However, I want to laud a particular couple, Tom and Missy Strothers.  It was GREAT to finally meet them!  Tom and Missy are what I'd consider core founding members of EverythingDulcimer.com.  I'd known them for these years, but finally got to meet them in person.  They were at KMW helping Nancy keep things going (and did a great job).

If you haven't seen my pictures, take a look using the picture tab at the top of the page.  I've set up a KMW slide show.

I think there is REAL benefit to the week-long festival.  I know not everyone can break away for a whole week, but it's valuable to focus on improving an activity for an extended period of time.  This way new skills can be, not only learned, but continually reinforced.  That's the magic.  Those skills can be hammered home and become skills that we not only KNOW ABOUT, but know HOW TO USE!

Thank you Nancy Barker for another great KMW, and I'm delighted to announce that I've been invited to be an instructor next year.  

June 21-25, 2010...can't wait!

Hi Everyone!

I'm inviting everyone to sign up as a member of this site.  Why you might ask?

Well, for a limited time, I'm bribing you...with a song I recently wrote and recorded
which was played at my daughter Allison's high school graduation.  When you sign
up as a member, you'll be redirected to a page with a download link to that song.  

What does membership get you, you might ask?

 - Email updates regarding products that I generate, how-to articles,
scheduling notices, etc.  

 - Email updates of my Musings.  Musings are just interesting articles that I write
occasionally.  This will NOT replace my EverythingDulcimer.com newsletters, but
may be in addition to them.  Those that enjoy my EverythingDulcimer.com
newsletters, will certainly enjoy these.

 - Product discounts! I intend to take good care of my members!

 Folks, I won't be sending these out on any sort of schedule and I won't bug you,
I promise.  It will just be occasional Musings and news you can use.

To register, just create and account using "Sign in/Sign Up" area to the right ------->

Thanks!

Bruce

A couple of months back, I used the saying "clubbing the alligator
closest to the canoe" in a newsletter and many, many of you could
really identify with that concept.  The volume of email I got was
way more than usual after that newsletter, which was great.  I like
to know when I'm on the right track and I enjoy hearing from you. 
The encouragement keeps me going.  It really does.

I have another saying for you that I suspect you can all identify
with.  Actually it's a question:

     Question:  "How do you eat an elephant?"

     Answer:  "One bite at a time."

That would seem a strange title for this edition of the newsletter,
but let me explain.  I once heard an analogy that has stuck with
me...and it describes me personally these days.  I once asked a very
busy friend of mine how he was doing.  His reply was:

"I'm just clubbing the alligator closest to the canoe."

It described him to a "T."  He was a busy fellow in charge of a
large department and some days all he did was deal with emergent
issues one after another.