First, Susan...Tell me more about what and when.

stacey...Appalachian music locked me into this whole scene to begin with. It's already been suggested to you for background reading, but the Lomax info is great, but when you are talking specific, PLEASE read John Jacob Niles. Every other resource named is good, but let me enhance a few.Don West built the Appalachian South Folklife Center in Pipestem and the festivals held there are some of the best. Don is gone now, but what he left lives on, a true treasure.

I would be remiss in not mentioning Homer Ledford (another Berea College boy) who knows more about this subject than should be legal...he's also a fine instrument maker and has built over 6000 (YES, 6000) Appalachian Dulcimers. Should you meet the Ledford's, if Homer wears you out, let Colista serve you up ANY food.

Speaking of schools, they have a lot of info to access at Berea College, Alice Lloyd College, the Hindman Settlement School and many others.

Already mentioned is Jean Ritchie with several books on the mountains and dulcimers. Get hold of some Jean (or sister Edna) recordings, pick up ANY of the books mentioned here...listen and read...and you're on your way. I just mentioned recently in this forum about being on the program at Hindman one weekend where Jean was the featured artist. I was "sittin' in the wings" listening to Jean do "Dear Companion" for the umpteenth hundred time in my life, and was totally struck by the fact it sounded new and fresh and pure. Such is the power of the Ritchie family "voice"...they all seem to have it...and music from the heart, from the mountains.

If you want, send me private message or e-mail for more info. Where are you in school at? How'd you get this topic?

catspaw