Walt Michael
Considered to be a virtuoso of tremendous influence in the revival of the hammered dulcimer, Walt Michael's wide repertoire ranges from old-time Southern Appalachian, to Celtic, to original compositions. His various musical incarnations, including Bottle Hill, Michael, McCreesh & Campbell and Walt Michael & Co. have taken him from the coal camps of Appalachia to the Closing Ceremonies of the 13th Olympic Winter Games.
He performed with Bill Troxler for the Hampshire County Arts Council's first fund-raising concert, as well as in three more concerts for HCAC audiences as an ensemble string band, Walt Michael & Co., moving gracefully from folk to Celtic to acapella gospel & bluegrass music, emphasizing at the same time the virtuosity of its individual members, who have included Robin Bullock, Zan McLeod, and Ralph Gordon.
In 2002 Walt Michael & Co., with Alexander Mitchell and performed at Capon Bridge and Romney Middle Schools "Across the Water" a program exploring the roots of American folk music.
As a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Walt Michael has recorded ten albums, appeared at the Lincoln and Kennedy Centers and toured internationally. His music has been heard on ABC-TV, NBC's Tonight Show, Broadway, BBC, TNN, CBC and PBS. He has touched the hearts of millions with his hammered dulicimer, guitar and voice. Walt is the founder and Executive Director of Common Ground on the Hill.
Walt Michael led Shetland's Young Heritage Fiddlers on their Dream Tour of America in 1993, including appearances at the Smithsonian and the White House (and included a brief stop in Romney for a meal and short concert.) Frequent tours to the UK have recently included headlining the Across the Tweed festival in the Borders, the Sidmouth Folk Festival in Devonshire, England and Scotland's National Folk Festival in Ayrshire.
His release, Legacy, is on the Tradition Bearers label in Scotland. In 1999, Flying Fish Records released Walt Michael - Retrospective.
Walt is the Artist in Residence at McDaniel College, as well as the Founder and Executive Director of Common Ground on the Hill, a traditional arts organization that seeks to promote interracial harmony through the arts.
"Walt Michael has established himself as one of the most innovative and expressive of traditional musicians" —Lincoln Center
"The gems of the night were undoubtedly Walt Michael &
Co. ......with tasteful panache they stole away all hearts, Walt
making his dulcimer sound like a full orchestra tutti virtuosi!"
—Folk Music News, London
“For more than thirty years, veteran performer Walt Michael has been setting standards in acoustic music. Walt Michael & Company continues to cross barriers, tastefully and successfully blending tradition with innovation.” —Sing Out Magazine
"Walt Michael is a master of the hammered dulcimer and has
a fine voice with an impressive vocal range. The standard of performance
is second to none." —Mid Ocean News, Berm
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