ABOUT US

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In 2016 a small group of dulcimer players from Statesville NC and surrounding communities of Iredell county began to meet and play together. Over time, the group has grown to include eight dulcimers (and more are welcome!), a bowed psaltery, a guitar, a fiddle and a banjo at any given performance or practice. The name was chosen for Statesville's motto "Crossroads for the Future."

We have performed at the Upper Room (downtown Statesville), Brookdale Peachtree, the Iredell Public Library, the Union Grove United Methodist Church, the Statesville Women’s Circle, The Cove Church and Fifth Street.

Current musicians include Wendy, Mary and Wayne, Ruth Ann, Susan, Larisa, Jan and Ike, James and Linda, Nancy, Barbara, Linda, Karen and our videographer, Ruth Ann’s husband Ron.

With notice, we would enjoy playing at your event. See the contact page to inquire or email CrossroadsStrummers@gmail.com.

On September 22, 2020

we joined together to say a

fond farewell to

Harriette Andrews, who

re-located to California.

A good time was had by all,

and there was a delicious cake with the Crossroads Strummers logo served!

BIOGRAPHIES

Susan (bowed psaltery) is a retired public school music teacher. She teaches piano privately and in a local arts academy She plays the bowed psaltery in the group, which is a very unusual and beautiful instrument.

Mary (dulcimer) and Wayne (guitar) are high school sweethearts and have been married for almost 50 years. They have 3 sons, 11 grandkids, and 5 great grandkids. Wayne spent 23 years flying for the Navy and after his retirement, he and Mary owned their own business for several years. After selling it, they spent 7 years traveling full time in their RV. In 2006, they made Union Grove, NC their home, and they continue to travel and see the country.

Mary began playing the mountain dulcimer in 2012. She loves sharing with others the joy of music and the simple beauty of the instrument. Wayne has been playing the guitar most of his life, and enjoys joining the Crossroads Strummers whenever possible.

Wendy (dulcimer) has been playing the mountain dulcimer since February 2016. She became interested in the dulcimer after seeing someone play the instrument at a festival. She was able to teach herself a simple song using a noter to play the melody and then met Mary (member of the group) who taught her how to play. Wendy enjoys playing her Walnut Creek Dulcimer with 4 strings arranged using the traditional double melody style.

Jan (dulcimer) was introduced to the dulcimer when she first moved to Statesville, through Sarah Borders, who was a Guidance Counselor in the school where Jan was substitute teaching. Jan attended dulcimer workshops at Appalachian State and at Western Carolina University to learn to play the instrument. Ike (dulcimer) came with her as a non-participant at those workshops, until one day he decided that he would like to play the instrument also.

So, Ike bought a dulcimer on his 75th birthday, and both Jan and Ike began to play together.

Ruth Ann (dulcimer). In 2007 my husband Ron and I moved here from the west coast and we often say that our granddaughter Amazing Grace brought us here. With encouragement from a dear old friend, I got my first Mountain Dulcimer 3 years ago in 2015 and have been strumming ever since. So very thankful for the special friends that I’ve met on this wonderful musical journey. Music makes my heart smile especially when it touches others. Ron is the official photographer and videographer for the group!

Nancy (banjo) moved to Statesville in 2015 with her partner Ron after selling their winery and vineyard in Ohio. North Carolina was the state of choice because of the bluegrass music scene (and the Kruger Brothers), and proximity to the mountains and the beach. She loves playing with the group... but always uses a special "mute" on the banjo so the sound doesn't overtake the sweet dulcimers. Musically, she auditioned for Phil Spector in 1964, and saw the Beatles from the front row of Carnegie Hall in Feb. of that year. She originally played guitar, a single pick-up hollow-body Gretsch and played piano as a little girl.

James (violin) and Linda (dulcimer) met in 2005 in Statesville. They are both retired and enjoy being a part of such a fun group. James has played the violin for several years and Linda is learning to play the dulcimer. They joined the group in July of 2018 after hearing the group play at the library.

Barbara (guitar) was born in W. Germany, army brat, both parents Army officers, one brother. Raised in Florida, father worked for NASA. As children our father took all of us to every launch in the sixties and up to mid seventies. Didn't appreciate it at the time but do now. Married Keith Niblock 46 years ago this November. We have two wonderful children, and three grandchildren. I played guitar as a child mainly at church and in the children's chorus. Played drums for six years throughout school years. I was in the marching band and symphonic band. We have a large garden, raise chickens, and tend bees. I had a wonderful opportunity to be Mary Dooley in the Tom Dooley production here in Statesville a couple of years ago, a wonderful show accompanied by a local bluegrass band. Enjoy our family, grandchildren and my old and new friends. We have traveled throughout Europe and the USA and I did work in Japan. Can't wait to see what the years ahead will bring.

Linda (dulcimer) Linda is from from Harmony, NC (great address for a musician!) and now reside sin Union Grove, NC. Mary Howell, who founded this group, is my neighbor and introduced me to the world of the Dulcimer. I still own and play my first dulcimer ( a TK O’Brien) and recently purchased a Folkcraft with a 1 1/2 and a 8 1/2 frets.

Additional biographies coming soon...