Neal Hellman

Dulcimer player Neal Hellman followed several career paths -- cab driver, school teacher -- before deciding to perform on the dulcimer for a living. He made his first marks on the music scene in 1973 with two books on the dulcimer, and followed these up with two albums, Appalachian Dulcimer Duet and Dulcimer Airs, Ballads and Bears. These two recordings were cordially received and led Hellman to tour extensively, both in America and Europe. The culmination of this period of activity was Oktober Country released by Hellman's own Gourd Music. ~ Leon Jackson