RACHEL GAITHER - Violinist extraordinäire, of the group "Tullamore"

I started when I was 9--we had a strings program at school.  I really wanted to learn the flute but I would've had to wait a whole other year for that, so my sister played the violin, so it was convenient, I thought.  In my 9-year-old wisdom.

2. Which instruments do you play?

Violin, Viola, guitar and I can plink out stuff on mandolin and piano.  And I sing. 

3. What was the first tune you learned?

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.

4. Is your family musical? 

Sort of.  I'm the only one who has stuck with any of it but my guitar used to be my dad's--he bought it to learn a few songs to play at parties for fun.  My mom used to play in a strings ensemble when she was in grade school and both my sisters learned piano and another instrument but stopped by high school.  I still own a violin that was owned by a great grandfather.  (Or great-great-grandfather---I can't remember.)

5. Which famous musicians do you admire?  Why? 

I love the music of Stefan Grappelli and Jeremy Kittel--I love the sound of swing jazz and my first love in performing is improvisation.  As far as singers, I really love Adele right now, as well as Ingrid Michaelson and Sara Bareilles for their songwriting prowess and the crafting work that has clearly gone into their music over the years.

6. Which famous musicians have you learned from? 

Directly, none.  Ha!  But indirectly, I am always listening to songwriting style and playing style and singing style.  Every time I hear something I like, I try to figure out how to do it.  Aretha Franklin, Stefan Grappelli, Jeremy Kittel, Adele, Paul Simon, Dave Matthews, Tori Amos, Ani Difranco, Sarah McLaughlin, really the list goes on and on.  Some I don't listen to anymore--I haven't since high school.  It just keeps evolving with my taste in music and what I listen for.

7. Who was your first teacher?  Other teachers?

Sherry Willoughby and Russ Berlin, at Prairie View Elementary School.  My other teachers have been Maria Maxwell, David Neely and briefly, Michael Dugger here in KC.

8. Could you please describe your first instrument?  Other instruments?

It was a little brown 3/4 size violin, factory made.  My second instrument was the one passed down from my mom's side of the family--it's red and also factory made--not really worth much, but well-cared for.  I had one from KC Strings for a while--a nice little yellowish brown instrument.  I traded it in for a bow when I bought my real treasure--a $10k Peter Elias handmade violin from Switzerland.  I still get it out every once in a while and play on it--its tone is gorgeous.  The violin I play with my band right now is an instrument a friend had found in his parents' attic.  It was in pieces and was missing a few, so they couldn't really sell it.  I had my luthier, Dan Lawrence, look at it and see if he could convert it into a 5-string fiddle.  It cost me all of $250, and has served me well.  My guitar was a gift from my dad, who never played it anymore.  It's a Yamaha with a nice sunburst color in red and yellow.  It's my baby.

9. What are your fondest musical memories?  In your house?  In your neighborhood or town?

My dad doing impressions of Joe Cocker or the lead singer of the Commitments when I was a kid. 

10. Have you been in competitions?  Fleadh's? Any prizes? 

Nah.  I'm boring.

11. Do you perform in public?  Please describe those occasions.  Concerts, radio, TV? 

I've been on the radio a few times, with both Tullamore and a band I used to play in called The Boon.  I've performed at Carnegie Hall in NYC twice, once with my high school orchestra and choir and once with a chamber choir from college.  I performed on TV for Fox News about eight years ago with a country group I was in briefly called the Thomas-Marx Band.  With The Boon, I traveled up to the East Coast and back, playing little dive bars and venues for mere handfuls of people.  It was fun, but it took a toll on the group--two weeks with no privacy tends to do that.  I think I would enjoy it again, now that I know how to set my expectations.  Also, Tullamore has performed at arts venues on tour several times in Ireland and Scotland.  I also had a stint of coffeehouse performances as a singer-songwriter in college and have performed with friends in countless bars.

12. How do you handle your rare mistakes during a performance?

What mistakes? ;)  Seriously, though, the best policy is to ignore it and keep moving.  Even if someone notices, they will forget by the end of the song.  If it really is a doozy and wrecks the song, you just gotta have a sense of humor about it and start over or start something else.  The audience understands and appreciates that the people on stage are fallible human beings.  I think it shows vulnerability and people can appreciate that.

13. Do you get nervous before a performance or a competition?

Only at venues I've never played that are bigger than what I'm used to.  As long as I'm playing with other people, I'm good by the time we start playing.

14. What advice would you give to beginners who are nervous? 

Take a deep breath before you play.  Also, sometimes it can help to prepare for a performance by becoming used to your nerves--try recording yourself, or playing in front of your family or a small group of friends.  The biggest thing to remember is that most audiences actually want to see you succeed.  They want to enjoy your performance and see you enjoying yourself. Just have fun.  That is the most important thing. 

16. How often and for how long do you practice? 

17. What do you practice - exercises, new tunes, hard tunes, etc.? 

When I *do* get the hankering to practice, I will pull a piece that is challenging and fun at the same time, and try to play it through...  I like the finger exercises, as well as shifting, bowing articulation, etc. I even enjoy improvising with songs I have recordings to...

It was amazing.  It was a week in this beautiful country that is steeped in ancient history and tradition--the locals were, without fail, incredibly gracious, warm, and welcoming and almost always incredibly charming...  On top of that, we got to perform in some of the most magical places, AND if that weren't enough, we were with a crowd of our favorite people the entire time.  Like I said:   Amazing. 

Well, we WILL be in Scotland, not Ireland...  ;)  Seriously, though, the same formula of sight-seeing, a night in a castle, performances, and a crew of our favoritest people.  The faces will be a little different, which will make it a different tour in and of itself...  The people are really what made the tour in Ireland phenomenal, and it is already shaping up to be another fun crowd...  In the gorgeous landscapes of Scotland!!  I can't wait...  :D

We just came out with a live CD this past spring and we've been working on a Robbie Burns project for a while, so we've got some gems ready for that one, too...  We hope to have it out maybe in the next year or so...

Thanks for your time, Ms. Gaither.

Information about Tullamore’s music, schedule, biographies and more can be found at

I got to know EZRA & DILLY (EZNDIL) at the 2010 Spirit Of Magic Faire.  It was a rainy weekend so they spent a lot of time in my tent to stay out of the elements.  They are a great couple of people as well as musicians and entertainers.  They take time to talk to the people in their audience instead of just passing a hat to get tips.

If you get a chance to experience this duo, I highly recommend not only listening to their music but also talking to them for a while.  You will not regret discovering their good values.

1.When and why did you start playing?

4.Is your family musical?

5.Describe your family member's musical interests and abilities.

7.Which famous musicians have you learned from?

14. How often do you perform in public?  Please describe those occasions.  Concerts, radio, TV?

23. How do you balance your music with other obligations - mate, children, job?

www.frontdoorfarmmarket.com 

THE LADIES OF THE SALTY KISS - Kittye Williams ~ Their group now is NATIVE SOULS

What kind of act do you perform?

I along with 5 other women perform original comedy sketches loosely based off the Grimm's fairy tales.  We portray Crown Privateers from the Renaissance era in history.

When and why did you start acting?

I performed in school plays as most everyone else has done.  I began Ren Faire acting in 1999 at the now defunct King Arthur Fair in Stroud, Oklahoma.  It was part of my 'job' for the sword vendor I worked for - I needed something more than just holding a big sword to draw patrons in.  From that experience, I began working as a solo character actress in the lanes at different faires.

What was the first act you came up with?

The Ladies of the Salty Kiss is my first stage act.  My first street character; Lady Rowan, The Lady of the Lake & High Priestess of Avalon at the afore mentioned KAF.

Do you come from a theatrical family?

Actually no, I come from a military and musical family.

Describe your family members’ talents and abilities.

Some family members joined the military while others where your 'average joe' who stayed home, played music only within the family and passed along their love of music to those of us who came after them.

Which famous actors or troupes do you admire?  Why?

Hands down, Carol Burnett and company!  Talk about a hilariously entertaining group of people!  Watching everyone crack up over Tim Conway's improv lines is total enjoyment.

Have you modeled your style after anyone famous?  Why them?

Not any one person but rather more the genre; such as Vaudeville.

Who was your first teacher?  Other teachers?  As in acting teachers?

Mr. John Auld (formerly King Henry VIII at OKRF).  School teachers - I honestly cannot remember my first teacher as I was only three and a half.  I do remember my kindergarten teacher though - Mrs. Reva Kindsvater.  She saw the inner me and helped to challenge me and reach beyond what was expected.

What are your fondest creative memories?

When a glitch in rehearsals evolves into part of a show!

Who are your favorite actors?  Groups?

Liam Neeson, Jessica Lange, Carol Burnett, Tim Conway, and scads more - too many to list

What advice would you give to beginners who are nervous?

Believe in yourself and what it is you are doing - you can change the world one person at a time.  If you are going into comedy - do NOT take yourself seriously; you must be able to laugh at yourself first - comedy is hard work and it is not for everyone.

How often and for how long do you practice?

We practice as many times as we can but being as we are scattered across two different states, the reality is we get one weekend a month to rehearse.  So, we typically begin around 8 AM and run until 5 or 6 PM each day of the weekend.  Needless to say, we cram as much into two days as we possibly can.

What exercises (if any) do you use to warm up your voice when you perform?  Is it just something you're naturally good at or do you go through daily techniques and practicing like a musician or singer?

Since my group is non-mic'd, we MUST do warm up for our voices to ensure they last 5-6 shows each day of a festival/event. Typically, vocal warm up is incorporated into physical warm up so that everything is ready to go for the day.  I don't know if anyone is 'naturally good at it' - for me, having taken some rudimentary training in voice and choral ensembles in school, I tend to warm up some before I do anything.  When on stage, we all use our diaphragm to put the 'push' behind our words - some days the push is better than others.

Which Renaissance Faires do you perform at?

Hmm... how best to answer.  We travel all over the midwest and perform in Oklahoma (our home state), Texas, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska on a regular basis.  We have, in the past, traveled as far east as Illinois for a festival.  We are currently in discussion with festivals in other states.  Best way to keep up with us is to take a look at our website and go to our "Ports O' Call" page for our schedule.

TULSTIN TROUBADOURS

My first opportunity to hear Mark Williams was at the inaugural King’s Champion Medieval Faire in 2008.  I would say that he had the best music at the faire.  I’ve also seen him perform at the Kansas City Renfest, Great Plains Renfest, Sherwood Forest Faire and OKRF.  He’s an excellent harpster and can play several instruments at one time.  It is well worth the time to hear the Tulstin Troubadours, no matter where you are.

1. When and why did you start playing?

5. Describe your family member's musical interests and abilities.

AUDRA BLANKENSHIP - Former singer of Boru's Ghost

1. When and why did you start playing?

I started singing when I was around 4 at church programs.  I had my first solo opportunity because the little girl with the main role was sick.  Also in high school, I sang in a production of Grease.  As far as the penny whistle goes, I started playing that when Boru's Ghost got together in 1999.  John taught me the basics and I play by ear now.

13. Do you attend sessions?

Not often enough.  There are only so many hours in a day.

 Just have to squeeze it all in there.

I first heard DUSTIN COOPER at the olde King Arthur Faire in Stroud, OK.  He played the hammered dulcimer there, which is my favorite instrument at Renaissance Faires.  He plays several instruments at various locales and is quite a talented artist.

1. When and why did you start playing? 

I have always played music throughout my life but did not become truly satisfied with what I was doing until I got into "folk" music (or "ethnic" music).  I started playing the celtic harp almost 13 years ago and have played various acoustic instruments since. 

Why I started playing this kind of music?  Chicks!..... just kidding (I have always wanted to say that).  I do not know how I got into this stuff.  I was playing electronic stuff for a while but when I got ahold of a hammered dulcimer it hit me like some sort of like a virus.   The kinds of music that I heard that instrument play effected me too (some early music, Celtic music, ect.). Even though I write music still to this day, there was something so liberating about playing traditional music.  Instead of trying to come up with something original all the time or feeling like I needed to express some sort of emotion in each song, I could just play music and enjoy myself. 

Things have grown from there, but you get the idea. 

2. Which instruments do you play? 

I mostly play the hammered dulcimer (or what I jokingly call the "American Santoor") and the Arabic tablah (a.k.a. "doumbek") but I also play a few other instruments.  I have owned and experimented with several other instruments but it always seems that I keep coming back to hammered dulcimer and percussion. 

3. What was the first tune(s) you learned? 

Avenging and Bright (an Irish song). 

4. Is your family musical? 

Not really.  My brother played the drum set when he was younger but that is it. 

5. Describe your family member's musical interests and abilities. 

My family have always been supportive of my music, even if they sometimes did not understand it or why I like to play certain things.

6. Which famous musicians do you admire?  Why? 

Too many to list really.  Lately, they have mostly been middle-eastern percussionist but there are a few hammered dulcimer players (some that I personally know).  When it comes to the hammered dulcimer, I try to simulate other cultures version of the instrument (like the cymbolim or the Greek santoori) but I do not know how to spell or pronounce those musicians' names. 

7. Which famous musicians have you learned from? 

Only two:  Souhail Kaspar and Tobias Robertson, both on the Arabic Tablah.  No one else on any other instrument. 

8. Who was your first teacher?  Other teachers? 

My first teacher was my grade school's saxophone teacher.  After that, I have had several teachers ranging from music history to musical theory to various instrumental teachers.   My favorite was a lady that lives in Norman and taught me the celtic harp. Her name is Melissa Young and she is still a really good friend of me and my wife. 

9. Describe your first instrument.  Other instruments. 

The Saxophone was my first instrument and I hated it.  It was not the right instrument for me and all of my friends were in the chorus class anyway (this was in grade school).  After that, it was the bass guitar when I was 13.  Guitar and piano keyboard followed after high school.  Then the hammered dulcimer, celtic harp, oud, Greek bouzouki, Irish bouzouki, the Turkish saz, Arabic buzouk, Arabic qanun, recorder (both normal and renaissance replica), mountain dulcimer, mandolin, kantele and various percussion instruments (I think that covers it). 

I have finally narrowed my collection down to just a hammered dulcimer, Celtic harp, Irish bouzouki and about 10 drums (6 of those are doumbeks). 

10. What are your fondest musical memories?  In your house?  In your neighborhood or town? 

Too many to list, really, but I will try to list a few: 

a.) The King Arthur Fair (especially the year I was in Boru's Ghost) 

b.) When I played drum for my wife's first solo at one of her dance school's (Aalim) showcase. 

c.) Being in a middle-eastern band with all of these great local musicians (like Bob Mansfield, Kyle Dillingham, Mirada Arana, to name a few). 

11. Were you influenced by old records & tapes?  Which ones? 

Yeah, but mostly influenced by people I know. 

12. Who are your favorite musicians?  Groups?  CD's? 

Wow, this changes every for me every week ;).  The White Strips, The Toids... oh, you mean music that is in my field.  Hmmm. Hammered dulcimer: Maggie Sansone, Jem Moore, John McGaha and Jackie Rapp.  For the Arabic tablah: Raquy Danzinger, Tobias Robertson, Said El-Artist.... well, really there are too many good drummers to list. 

13. Have you been in competitions?  Fleadh's?  Any prizes? 

No, not really. 

14. Do you perform in public?  Describe those occasions?  Concerts, radio, TV? 

Yes, all the time.  I have performed for festivals (music, cultural, Celtic, renaissance, medieval, etc.), farmer's markets, intermission acts for other shows, bookstores, pubs, private parties, for folk dancing, for my family and friends... the list goes on. 

15. Do you play for dances?  Step-dancers?  Describe the differences. 

I mostly play hammered dulcimer for folk dancers and sometimes that includes English country dance and contra dances.  I mostly play the Arabic tablah for belly dance. 

16. How do you handle mistakes during a performance? 

Keep playing..... unless you keep screwing up and in that case, make a joke and move on. 

17. Do you get nervous before a performance or a competition? 

All the time, every time.  You think I would be used to it, but I really enjoy the rush it gives me. 

18. Do you attend sessions?  What makes a good session? 

I do sometimes.  I wish I did more, but it is a time issue.  What makes a good session?  For one, less drummers (and this is coming from a drummer).  Also, more variety, but I am not a purest, so I may not be the best person to ask.  I just get tired of it when people play all the songs at a million miles per hour through the whole session.  At that speed, jigs and reels all sound the same. 

19. How often and for how long do you practice? 

I practice every day and for at least an hour if not more (and sometimes that is spread throughout the day and not just at one time). 

20. What do you practice - exercises, new tunes, hard tunes, etc.? 

On the hammered dulcimer, I mostly practice new and hard tunes at first, but I always have to review everything once or else I forget to play it.  Even though I have been playing the hammered dulcimer for over 8 years, I really need to learn some warm up exercises on it.  It is funny how I never got around to doing that. 

On the doumbek, I have a 45 minute regiment of warm up exercises before I start to practice any drum songs I know or wrote. Past that, i usually practice certain beats or rifts.  I also practice improvisation too.  This instrument also lets me sit in front of the t.v. and practice certain things while I watch the news (it is good to be able to multitask while playing the drum, so this is a great exercise). 

22. Do you teach music? 

Yes, I teach the fundamentals of the hammered dulcimer and how to read music.  I also teach basic dance rhythms on the doumbek to belly dancers. 

22. How do you balance your music with other obligations - mate, children, job? 

There is never really a problem.  I mean, I wish I could stay home all day and play music, but in reality, my life is set up around my music and my wife's belly dancing.  In fact, I drum for her during her gigs, so not only do we perform together, but we spend time creating these performances and it has been a lot of fun. 

The only limit I have is that I can not play the drum in the house between the hours of 11 p.m. to 10 a.m., but that is about it.

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