| I
was born in North Carolina, and took up the
guitar at a very early age. I'm sure my
parents thought it was a passing fad, but here I
am, years later and still at it! It
seems I've come full circle. I started out
trying to learn the old tunes I grew up with,
moved into Rock, then Southern Rock in the early
seventies. In the late seventies I went to
Blue Grass. Somewhere around 1980 I heard
my first Hammered Dulcimer and that was a major
influence in my whole perception of music.
Here was this fellow, playing all by his self,
and producing a sound so full it appeared to be
an entire group
I learned about this time
that British Folk music was the foundation of the
music played here years back, as they were the
prominent group of settlers in these parts.
Now here I am, years later, trying to figure out
the old tunes that we grew up with! I
reckon the circle has come full round.
Along with the hammered
dulcimer I play all my own guitar, mandolin, and
banjo parts on all of my recordings.
I have played for PBS, CBS,
Public Radio and I have toured Northern England
three times. My music has been used for PBS
television and radio, a film about North
Carolina, and several films about local
attractions.
Now days you will find me at
Chimney Rock Park,
North Carolina most of the time. I am the
featured musician there.
I have recorded eight
projects and two videos on how to play the
hammered dulcimer. Some of the recordings
are now out of print, and that's OK as my style
has changed so much over the years the early ones
don't sound at all like me.
Yep, things have come full
circle. I reckon I'll spend from now on
trying to find just the right way to present the
old tunes I spent so much time trying to learn
many years ago.
John A. Mason
|