John A Mason
Album: "Where The Soul Of
Man Never Dies"

Click Album for Purchase Info

I was born in North Carolina, and took up the guitar at a very early age. I'm sure my parents thought it was a passing fad, but here I am, years later and still at it! It seems I've come full circle. I started out trying to learn the old tunes I grew up with, moved into Rock, then Southern Rock in the early seventies. In the late seventies I went to Blue Grass. Somewhere around 1980 I heard my first Hammered Dulcimer and that was a major influence in my whole perception of music. Here was this fellow, playing all by himself, and producing a sound so full it appeared to be an entire group.

I learned about this time that British Folk music was the foundation of the music played here years back, as they were the prominent group of settlers in these parts. Now here I am, years later, trying to figure out the old tunes that we grew up with! I reckon the circle has come full round.

Along with the hammered dulcimer I play all my own guitar, mandolin, and banjo parts on all of my recordings.

I have played for PBS, CBS, Public Radio and I have toured Northern England three times. My music has been used for PBS television and radio, a film about North Carolina, and several films about local attractions.

Nowdays you will find me at Chimney Rock Park, North Carolina most of the time. I am the featured musician there.

I have recorded eight projects and two videos on how to play the hammered dulcimer. Some of the recordings are now out of print, and that's OK as my style has changed so much over the years the early ones don't sound at all like me.

Yep, things have come full circle. I reckon I'll spend from now on trying to find just the right way to present the old tunes I spent so much time trying to learn many years ago.

...John A. Mason