Slingerland - Posted - 01/10/2011:  18:15:39

I am currently developing a database of images/information for instruments made in the Watauga, County area of North Carolina. I eventually would like to share my findings with the public. This is an entirely non-commercial venture. My goal is to compile a listing of as many known instruments with images as is possible. The database will include banjos, dulcimers, fiddles, and other instruments as they are "discovered". Any information/images that you care to share would be greatly appreciated. Many people have taken an interest in participating in this project including several BHO members, well known musicians, and noted collectors. Thank you to those who have contributed thus far.

Some of the Watauga, Co makers include (but are not limited to):

Leonard Glenn

Frank Proffitt

Stanley Hicks

Clifford Glenn

Charlie Glenn

Edd Presnell

Nathan Hicks

Roby Hicks

Tab Ward

Frank Glenn

Tedra Harmon

Nat Glenn

If you know others who would like to share images/information, please feel free to have them contact me at 440-488-3213 or send me a private message.

Thanks very much,

Paul

Edited by - Slingerland on 01/10/2011 18:22:43

3fingers - Posted - 01/10/2011:  20:09:31

Paul you probably already know of this video but incase you dont I'll tell you about it. I saw this years ago its the American Patchwork Series " Appalachian Journey" with Alan Lomax and he interviews Frank Profit and I believe Stanley Hicks and some of his family among others. Its a pretty interesting video and I found it where you can view it online. I believe it was released in 1990.
Heres the website where you can watch it.
ovguide.com/movies_tv/appalach...urney.htm

Craig

Slingerland - Posted - 01/10/2011:  20:13:23

Hi Craig- Thanks for the link. I have seen the video, but thanks for posting it here.

TwoTrax - Posted - 01/10/2011:  23:43:05

Great Project Slingerland.

I have sent you several emails with photos of ones I know about. Surely others out there have some of these instruments.

We're only talking about a few thousand banjos and dulcimers. Please help with this project for it is of great value to future researchers and documentation for today's collector. Preservation of this information is very important to generations.

Once the few remaining people who know of the instruments are gone, there is no way to ask the questions. But if action is taken immediately, then we may be able to preserve a bit of its history.

Please help in this effort. If you have or know of someone who does, photos and other known info would
be greatly appreciated. It is up to all of us here in the early 21st century, to do the preservation and exchange of information.

Any tidbit is worthy of note. Any and all information on these instruments is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance to those willing to contribute.

So much is known, but much more is not. At this point, progress is being made as to identification of the above mentioned makers. Please offer any suggestions or comments as you think of them.

Thanks for your efforts in this research and preservation of knowledge.

Slingerland - Posted - 01/11/2011:  06:08:13

Tim-

Thanks for the nice words and for your contributions to this project thus far.

stevesg - Posted - 01/11/2011:  10:06:17

Banjo on right signed "Clifford Glenn Sugar Grove, North Carolina", no date

banjohangout.org/myhangout/pho...albumid=0

Slingerland - Posted - 01/11/2011:  10:58:25

Thanks, Steve. If you'd like to send me other photographs, please feel free to do so. Thanks to those who have contacted me off of this thread as well

Edited by - Slingerland on 01/11/2011 10:59:23

robertsart - Posted - 01/17/2011:  17:52:13

Hey Paul-

E-mail sent. I've got two sweet dulcimers (one is mine, one is not) for you to add to your database.

Great project. I'd be happy to share info/ photos.

Good luck!!!
Scott

Slingerland - Posted - 01/17/2011:  20:37:29

Hi Scott- Thanks for your contributions.

faretheewell - Posted - 01/18/2011:  15:22:42

Hi Paul, Thanks again for the Stanley Hicks and Foxfire uploads. Im not sure if you ever get down here to Beech but Rick Ward, Tab's grandson, is still making (or trying to find the time to make) banjos and dulcimers in Tab's workshop using Tab's patterns. Next time I'm up there I will share your project with him and I bet he'd be happy for me to click a few photos of his workshop and family instruments.

faretheewell - Posted - 01/18/2011:  15:22:47

Hi Paul, Thanks again for the Stanley Hicks and Foxfire uploads. Im not sure if you ever get down here to Beech but Rick Ward, Tab's grandson, is still making (or trying to find the time to make) banjos and dulcimers in Tab's workshop using Tab's patterns. Next time I'm up there I will share your project with him and I bet he'd be happy for me to click a few photos of his workshop and family instruments.

faretheewell - Posted - 01/18/2011:  15:24:04

Hi Paul, Thanks again for the Stanley Hicks and Foxfire uploads. Im not sure if you ever get down here to Beech but Rick Ward, Tab's grandson, is still making (or trying to find the time to make) banjos and dulcimers in Tab's workshop using Tab's patterns. Next time I'm up there I will share your project with him and I bet he'd be happy for me to click a few photos of his workshop and family instruments.

Slingerland - Posted - 01/18/2011:  15:24:31

No Problem. I've spoken to Rick about the project, but would love for you to take some photos with his permission.

faretheewell - Posted - 01/18/2011:  15:28:27

Going off of Craig's post, you ought to definitely check out the UNC-TV Folkways episode "Music from the Hills" where Stanley talks about instrument building in his workshop.
For some reason I'm having trouble streaming it now but you can obtain a DVD copy ($20) by writing them, although they claim that the videos are being reformatted and reposted "soon."

Slingerland - Posted - 01/18/2011:  15:37:08

I watched it a long time ago, I really could use another viewing of it. Thanks.