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Very early into my teaching career at Warren County High School in Front Royal, Virginia, I decided that being a folksinger might be a better option for life’s work. Fortunately, soon after that stunning decision I was hired to perform six nights a week in the Mountain Room at Skyland Lodge in Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park. I stayed there for six years, from 1972 through 1978, and the adventures and opportunities were many. Via the trails and friendships with the Park’s naturalists I learned to recognize wild flowers (including the tucked-away rare ones) and became acquainted with the stories of the mountain folk who called those hills their home.

I began my days there playing the guitar as an accompaniment to my singing, and most of my songs came from the repertoires of Peter, Paul and Mary, Joan Baez, Joni Mitchell and Judy Collins. I knew there was a dulcimer in the folk world, having heard some recordings, but had never seen or heard one in person. That changed in 1974 when I met Ralph Lee Smith. What a simple statement that is to write! Meeting Ralph literally changed my life. He insisted that I add the dulcimer to my music—and I did. Through Ralph I became more interested in Southern Appalachian folks and their music. Also in those Skyland years I met the hammered dulcimer and the Dulcimer Players News became part of my life. Around 1978 I began to think about taking my music “on the road.” I loved the Park, but the same urges that drew me from a high school teaching career pulled me onward. I received a call (or letter) from Michael Wildermuth at Ohio State University, Lima campus. There was to be an event, called the Great Black Swamp Dulcimer Festival, and would I be the out-of-town guest. (He hadn’t heard me, but knew my name from Dulcimer Players News.) Travel to Ohio in my clunky vehicle? Play the dulcimer in front of people who knew the instrument—probably way better than I? Fortunately I swallowed my fears and said yes. At the end of the 1978 season in the Park I resigned, saying I was ready for the road and it was ready for me. Those turned out to be “interesting” days, both with the travels and with Dulcimer Players News. I had so much to learn all over again about making music—and publishing—my career.

Here is one early memory of Dulcimer Players News. I called someone who worked with a folk publication—and I promise that I called only two or three times. I needed to learn about working with printers and printing basics. The last time he said, “Maddie, you and I need to talk seriously. A woman will never produce a successful journal. Why don’t you make it easy on yourself and just drop it.” Needless to say, I surely didn’t listen to him; he inspired me to continue with this voice of the dulcimer community.

I’ve discussed beginnings. Now where are the beginnings? The Great Black Swamp Dulcimer Festival continued and grew into the 1990’s and I attended all or most of them. I had not been back to Lima , Ohio since—until September 2007 when I was scheduled to do a concert at the Allen County Museum. What a renewal of friendships! Dorothy and Clayton Welch traveled long miles to get there. I hadn’t seen Anna Selfridge, Michael and Sharon Wildermuth, Michael’s dad (who was instrumental in the beginnings of the festival and is now 91) and several others in many years. Best of all, I learned that the dulcimer is still on a growing path with new players in the area; new beginnings.

During this September trip of close to three weeks I talked with several dulcimer folks about the new journeys of Dulcimer Players News, about the new gifts (such as the CDs) of the publication. They—and I—are so happy to experience the current life of the DPN, its new beginning.

There is one more beginning from a beginning that I want to share with you. A few weeks ago I received a phone call from someone in Shenandoah National Park. My name had come up, and they were wondering what I was doing these days. A Google search brought them background and contact information. On November 7th I am performing at Skyland Lodge in the Mountain Room—for the first time in 29 years!
 
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