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| Vol. 3 , No. 5 | September, 2001 | |
 EditorsGlen Wilson Sandy Conatser Graphics Lee Rowe Sandy Conatser
Song List Resource Links Dulcimer Players News Augusta Heritage Ctr. Ozark Folk Center Digital Tradition Dulcimer Theory Knoxville Club North Georgia Club Kansas City Club Clubs Index Pickers' Porch Java Music Theory Music Theory In Search of the Wild Dulcimer Newsletter Archive August 2001 Newsletter |
Club News!!
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Getting to Know Us: Ed Newkirk Club Profiles by Zada Law
Chances are, most of you who come to Grand Old Dulcimer Club meetings already know Ed Newkirk. He's the guy with the smile who's willing to lend a hand or give you a pat on the back. And on August 3, Ed walked away with the Second Place prize in the dulcimer competition at Franklin's Bluegrass on the Harpeth festival. Way to go, Ed! What you may not know is how hard Ed works "behind the scenes" to support our club and help beginning players. He's made a tape and tab sheet for beginners, maintains a dulcimer events calendar, provided copies of the Dulcimer Day video, and keeps up with dulcimer news for the club. He's also organized a beginner group that will be meeting monthly at his house. And how did Ed, who is a Product Development Engineer with Square D in Smyrna with two sons in college, discover the dulcimer? Through his good friend and neighbor, GODC player Glen Wilson. About two years ago, Glen introduced Ed to the dulcimer at a canasta party. A few months later, Ed's wife Daneen gave him a dulcimer for Christmas. "I will never forget how beautiful it was when I opened it up. I immediately called Glen and asked him 'how do I play this thing!'" It wasn't long before Glen invited Ed to play with him, Wanda O'Guin, and Priscilla Rushing - the "Monday Night Group." (So-named because that is usually the day when Nurse Wanda gets off from her hospital work.) The Monday Night Group has played at nursing homes, Dulcimer Day, and at last year's Fall on the Bicentennial Mall concert. Ed joined Glen in attending the Grand Old Dulcimer Club. "I really enjoy the purpose of the GODC, to allow people the opportunity to play together and learn from each other. This hobby requires special skills and permits lots of creativity. It is always exciting for me to be with a room full of people similar to myself!" To further his musical skills, Ed now takes occasional lessons from Lee Rowe. "Lee generates some of the most beautiful music I've ever heard, much of it being his originals. I like Lee's style, his skill, his love of music, his intelligence, his humor, everything about him!" Ed has become a fan of bluegrass festivals and entered his first dulcimer competition at this year's "Bluegrass on the Harpeth" festival. Ed described the experience this way. "It was very funny for this 47- year-old man to be scared that night, but fortunately Rob Pearcy talked me into it since there were only 2 other entries. He said to just go up there and have fun! I played something slow and pretty, Danny Boy, which I learned from Lee. It went a little shakey, but I finished it ok. To my complete surprise I got second place and $25! Rob was right, it was a lot of fun and I can't wait to enter another festival. Now I am trying to learn the harmonica and mandolin too!" Ed likes to help other beginners get started and would like to see our club grow. He's worked with 3-4 beginner groups. "It is fun to see people's talent and music develop," Ed says. "Even the very simple songs can be beautiful. Believe it or not, one of my favorite group songs is 'Bile them Cabbages'!" Ed adds that stronger newcomers help our club's future, and he remembers what it's like to be a struggling beginner. "The Monday Night Group was so patient and generous to let me play with them. Whenever I play with a beginner now, I always remember their patience with me." Anyone who would like to join or start a small group can call Ed at 370-3653h or 459-8483w. Click Here for the Profile Archive. | ||
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Sunday, September 16
We will be meeting at the Centennial Art Center and sharing our music at the Centennial Arts Festival.
The Art Center is at the back of Centennial Park, on the 25th Avenue side, near Charlotte.
See you there!! |
The Grand Old Dulcimer Club meets on the third Sunday of each month at Priest Lake Presbyterian Church on Smith Springs Road. Players of all ages and abilities are welcome. Special attention is given to beginning musicians! Smith Springs intersects with Bell Road north of I-24 and south of I-40.
In partnership with Metro Parks, The Grand Old Dulcimer Club sponsors Grand Old Dulcimer Day each year in May at Two Rivers Mansion. The club and its members perform at festivals and civic events and often take their music into special needs facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes, and other care facilities.
Click Here to email the newsletter editor. |
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Marilyn Konruff had a special family musical event in Wisconsin for her folks' 50th wedding anniversary! At the reception, she played a special musical tribute accompanied by her 15-year old niece on flute and aunt on violin. Flute and violin beautifully accompany the dulcimer. Their selections included "The Waltz You Saved For Me," Elvis's "I Can't Help Falling In Love With You," and "The Lord's Prayer." It was a very special occasion to honor 50 years of marriage. Some club members might remember Marilyn's niece, Stephanie, as she accompanied us on a club gig once and played the spoons and limberjack. She is now a dulcimer player and accomplished flutist!