This story begins in Eastern Kentucky some 60 years ago when my mother delivered this bouncing baby boy. Little did I know at that tender age, I was destined to be a rambling man! okay, I cannot say that was all my fault, as I was born into a navy family. so, as a baby, off I went with the help of my parents of course to the navy town of Norfolk, Virginia where my Pa was stationed among other duty stations during his career.

Each year of my young life we returned to the hollers, mountains and woodlands of eastern Kentucky nestled way back in the Appalachian Mountains. then one year in my mid-teens my father retired from the navy, and we returned to the mountains that had always pulled at my heart! well after having lived all over the country, I found myself wanting to continue to roam. I left those hills in my late teens for a life of adventure that took me across the U.S., Canada, and Europe. I settled in Texas with my loving parents about 20 years ago. they were instrumental in my return to a normal life. I settle down much more after meeting my lovely bride Rhea, I still to this day do not know what she seen in me, but I am most definitely the better for her love and support.

One constant in my life has always been woodworking, my sanity, in and otherwise crazy life. So, one day, not so long ago, I heard a sound, a sweet sound strait out of my Appalachian memories! It was a Dulcimer being played that took hold of those heart strings that had laid un-tethered for years and yanked me back to my past like a run-a-way bullet train. I knew at that moment, I had to build and play the Dulcimer as a way to re-connect to who I truly am, and to who, and what my ancestors were. Mountain folk of the Appalachians!

My bride and I began Rhea’s Mountain Dulcimers and folk instruments, so that we could share the history, lore, traditions and heritage of the people of Appalachia, through music and stories from the past too present. Things are a changing in those mountains. The simple life that once was, is being eaten away at by technology, as much as it helps in many ways, it is equally, if not more harmful in other ways! we hope to bring a little of our traditions and heritage back through music and stories of the mountains that are quickly fading from our collective memories!

Long story Short, I build Dulcimers and other folk instruments out of my home woodshop. we collect stories from the young at heart folks we meet at music festivals and cultural events throughout the Appalachian region in order to share our culture and way of life with the up-and-coming generations through music and stories of the past.

Please share your story with us so we can share the past, into the future!

Sincerely, Rhea and Roger