Winter Creek Reunion 2024 lineup

 Mark Tindle Player / Builder / Teacher of the Mountain Dulcimer Mark began playing and building dulcimers at about the  same time in 1980. Once introduced to the 4-equidistant  strings setup, he was pleasantly surprised how creative and  expressive this so-called “simple” instrument could be and  was instantly hooked! Mark soon began performing,  teaching, and building professionally. He won numerous  playing competitions including two National Mountain  Dulcimer Championships and self-produced several albums. Later, he took about 25 years off from “dulcimering” full-time to work a regular day job  career in order to raise a family, but now he’s back! “It’s like version 2.0! I’m thrilled to be playing, teaching, and building dulcimers once  again.” -Mark 

Mark's innovative dulcimer music not only captures the  traditional fkavor of this original American instrument,  but also reveals an extraordinary depth and rich  expressiveness not commonly associated with the  mountain dulcimer's folk roots. Through a vast repertoire of traditional and modern  tunes, story songs, hymns, choruses, and even his own  original compositions, his music clearly reveals the  sensitive, personal touch inherent in the dulcimer.  Blending his deep appreciation of music with his  genuine love for people enables Mark's music to connect  with many folks of diverse ages and walks of life. "What a blessing it is to help others enjoy this beautiful and magically personable  instrument…whether they play it, or just listen.” -Mark 

Walt Michael’s various incarnations, including Bottle Hill, Michael, McCreesh & Campbell and Walt Michael & Co. have spanned 40 years and taken him from the coal camps of Appalachia to the White House to the Closing Ceremonies of the 13th Olympic Winter Games.

Considered to be a virtuoso of tremendous influence in the revival of the hammered dulcimer, Walt’s wide repertoire ranges from old-time Southern Appalachian, to Celtic, to breathtaking original compositions. As a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist and he has recorded fourteen albums and instructional videos, appeared at the Lincoln Center,  the Kennedy Center and toured extensively throughout the US, Canada, Europe and the UK. His music has been heard on ABC-TV, NBC's Tonight Show, Broadway, BBC, TNN, CBC, OLN and PBS.

Walt has composed and performed collaboratively with both the Pilobolus Dance Theater and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. He was the musical producer, composer and recording artist for the Outdoor Living Network’s documentary, Cowboy 101, which premiered in October 2004. In 2005 he collaborated with 5-time Tennessee State Fiddle Champion Jim Wood to produce two instrumental albums featuring his signature hammered dulcimer artistry. His music figures prominently in the feature length movie “The Last Blast” in which he also plays two roles: a punk rocker and a G-man. Walt is a 2016 recipient of a Maryland Traditions Apprenticeship Award from the MD State Arts Council as a master hammered dulcimer player.

Walt is the Artist in Residence at McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland, as well as founder and Executive Director of Common Ground on the Hill, now in its 26th year, an international arts organization which seeks to promote interracial harmony through the traditional arts.

Grandpa's Neighbors is a mother-daughters group from Bennington, OK  Their music is best described as acoustic gospel, reminiscent of the music you would hear in old country churches.  A blend of hymns, as well as some new and original songs, encourages those who listen to draw closer to God and let their whole life bring honor to Him.  

Come and enjoy their wonderful harmony, their talent on multiple instruments, and the comradery amongst themselves.  They will be performing Saturday evening during the concert and will also be under the jam tent Saturday afternoon where you are welcome to join them in some old gospel hymns.   

Sweet Song String Band was founded in 1978 with Dana Hamilton and David Lindsey on hammered dulcimer and Judy Hamilton and Annette Lindsey on mountain dulcimers.  Dana chimes in with banjo and guitar now and Judy usually plays the bouzouki (an octave lower mandolin) during performances.  When Annette figured out her piano background could be put to use playing backup piano the band's sound found its voice they were looking for and the band took off as one of the most sought after old-time string bands in the US, especially with Dana adding his amazing talent as an old-time barn dance caller.  They performed at the Texas Folklife Festival from 1981-2002, Six Flags over Texas Heritage Festival for 17 years, multiple barn dances and reenactment venues, and many festivals over the US.  2019 saw them in Ireland touring County Kerry!

Sweet Song String Band's motto has always been "when it quits being fun, that's when we will quit playing!"  Well, it has never quit being fun for them!  So join them for a rip-roaring good time!

Meet Christopher, Joel, Nicholas, and Luke!  

The Vanderveer Brothers String Band is a driving and energetic old-time string band from the Fort Worth/Dallas metroplex that specializes in giving performances for many different kinds of events. Being extremely versatile, the brothers have enthused audiences of 10-15 to groups of 600+ with their rousing performances.

The brothers, each being multi-instrumentalists, play a wide range of instruments, including hammered dulcimer, guitar, banjo, fiddle, piano/keyboard, mandolin, mountain dulcimer, bones, pennywhistle, jaw harp, and harmonicas! Featuring the only brothers ever to win the Lone Star State Hammered Dulcimer Competition, they combine musical excellence and unquestionable fun into an unforgettable experience!

 Margaret purchased her first mountain dulcimer in 1994 in Mountain View, Arkansas.  Since finding Old Time Music at the college in Mars Hill, North Carolina, she has dedicate a lot of time in collecting and playing old fiddle tunes from the Appalachian Mountains.  Margaret organizes the Old Pal Festival in Palestine TX each March and can be seen playing bass, leading Sacred Harp, and teaching at many festivals throughout the US.  Her love for old-time music and teaching has become her trade-mark in the music world!