Description
1. Strollin' By The Fox
2. Black & White Rag
3. Once More
4. Watson's Blues
5. Day Dreaming
6. Berlin Waltz
7. Lover's Concerto
8. Moonlight In Montana
9. You Are The One
10. Help Me Make It Through The Night
12. Slippin' The Strings
13. For The Good Times
14. Until Then
15. Whiskey Before Breakfast
The hammered dulcimer is a stringed musical instrument, trapezoidal in shape, and the strings are struck with hammers. It is not to be confused with the Appalachian or Mountain Dulcimer, which is a 3-4 stringed instrument that is plucked with a feather or pick. The earliest dulcimer, a Persian instrument called the santir, developed around A.D. 900. The dulcimer entered western Europe around A.D. 1100 by way of Spain from North Africa. It is uncertain how the dulcimer transplanted into western Europe. The hammered dulcimer once flourished in this country, but by 1930, it was nearly extinct. It was brought to North America by early colonist from Europe and grew popular during the 1800’s. Most were built in homes or small shops.
Traditional players of today are those who chose to learn this instrument. Bill Robinson's grandmother Emma Van Fossen and his father Ross Robinson played the hammered dulcimer. He has carried on the tradition and taught his daughter, Monica, as well. The group Bill Robinson & Friends was established in 1980 with, banjo, bass, fiddle, guitar, hammered dulcimer, and mandolin. The "Friends" seemed appropriate because, in the beginning, Bill wasn't sure who would be available to play. Fortunately, he has many musical friends who are willing to fill-in when someone is not available to perform.
The dulcimer adapts well to all types of music ranging from country to classical, jazz, bluegrass, folk and contemporary. We include a variety of music in our performances. The band likes up-tempo tunes, and sometimes you have to strap on your seatbelts when we go into over-drive. To cool things down a little, we throw in a waltz or two.
Bill's Friends
Ed Cosner, Fiddle
Dan Hoehn, Mandolin
Merle Lawson, Banjo
Bill Robinson, Hammered Dulcimer
Jill Stargardt, Bass Fiddle & Vocal
Helen Wilson, Vocal
Sterling Wilson, Guitar & Vocal