I steal liberally from Jeff Lang and with good reason.
Other folks in no particular order.... Tom Waits, Christabel and the Jons, Mark Eitzel and the American Music Club, Richard Thompson, Bill Mallonee and the Vigilantes of Love, Jimi Hendrix, Yo Yo Ma, Eric Johnson, Chris Whitley, Kelly Joe Phelps, Adrian Legg, Michael Hedges, Leo Kottke, David Schnaufer, Robert Force and Al d'Osscche, Stephen Siefert, Uncle Tupelo, Jerry Rockwell, Ani DiFranco, Shaun Colvin, Bill Morrissey, U2, The Smiths, The Sex Pistols, The Crooked Jades, the Foghorn Stringband, The Wilders, Adam Brodsky, Antje Duvekot, Austin City Limits, Mountain Stage, Woodsongs, The Saturday Jams at Bread and Bagel, the "contemporary" singer/songwriters I hate because they're really just failed actors trying to get their pedestrian love songs placed on Grey's Anatomy, all the people I've forgotten and you.
Despite all this wrongness, somehow it all sounds just right.
Okay, sure, he plays his own funny, poignant songs and some traditional mountain tunes, but somehow, in Butch's hands, they rock, too.
Besides, it's pretty clear that Led Zeppelin always intended for "Stairway to Heaven" to be played on the dulcimer. It just took Butch to figure it out.
Butch Ross was given a mountain dulcimer for his birthday a few years ago, at the time the regionally touring singer/songwriter had no idea of the impact the instrument would have on his career. "I thought it's be cool to have one around the house, but I found myself playing it more and more. It had made music fun for me in a way that I hadn't felt since I first picked up the guitar."
More than "making music fun," this primitive mountain instrument began to open doors for him too. Not long after adopting the dulcimer he met Robert Force a musician, producer, independent label owner and all-around hippy who had once written a best-selling book on the mountain dulcimer. He saw in Butch "a spirit, talent and vision" that he last saw in his own idol; 60's folk-icon Richard Fariña. Almost immediately, he offered to sign him to his Blaine St. Records and produce, for free, his debut CD "the Moonshiner's Atlas."
The dulcimer has opened other doors for Butch Ross as well: a full-ride scholarship for a graduate degree in folk studies, a quickly-earned reputation amongst the dulcimer community as one of the most innovative and exciting players on the scene, endorsement offers, including one builder who working with him on a "Butch Ross Signature Model,," opening slots for wide variety of performers from Hayseed Dixie and Little Country Giants to the Jazz Mandolin Project, Great Big Sea and the legendary Jean Ritchie. Additionally the dulcimer has found him invited to play festivals and clubs in England, Scotland, Ireland, Sweden, Belgium, Germany and most recently Budapest, Hungary.
Sean Phipps of the Chattanooga Times Free Press says, "His set consisted of folk songs and various instrumentals, including blistering version of Richard Thompson’s 1952 Vincent Black Lightning and The Beatles’ “Eleanor Rigby.” We’re lucky to have such a talented, interesting musician living in Chattanooga."
I know you had a good time at R&N today. It's always fun working with Kim, the sound dude. Sorry I missed it. Dang! Are you playing at The Chattanooga Market this summer? If not, you should inquire! I'll be there on Aug 3rd =)
Hello Butch, great sound. I love your sense of humor on "I Like Singing Folk Songs", and also am impressed with how potent some of your lyrics are in some of your songs. I was introduced to the dulcimer when I lived in Louisville, Kentucky for four years. I enjoy the way your dulcimer "rocks". Have fun on your musical journey, John
Whatever. I saw your concern for those little birds. I found you out: you're a softie and it's just a matter of time before you decide bacon just really isn't very good.
I know I just need to practice on my dulcimer, my problem is I can't read music, but i guess I don't need to I need someone like yourself to continue to motivate me. Thanks man hope that things are going well for you today.
I think I'm gonna try to make it to Hub Fest. Sounds like a good time. Oh, and I ran into some folks last night at the Mtn. Opry that you might know. The Mueller Family from Maine.
