The Mountain Strings Dulcimer Band was formed in 1988, bringing together musicians who shared an interest in performing traditional old time music. The band was based in New Jersey. The tunes included a mix of old time Appalachian and early American songs and folk music accented with the haunting sound of the Appalachian mountain dulcimer, America's only traceable, indigenous folk instrument. We encouraged our listeners to discover the origin and background of this unique old-time traditional music as well as the musical instruments on which it is played. The instruments played include: the Appalachian Mountain Dulcimer, Autoharp, Harmonica, Five-string Banjo, Guitar, and Upright Bass Fiddle.
The tunes, many from the mountains and of the mountains, truly speak of the raw honesty and spirituality of the mountain folk, as the core of their existence was projected in their music. It represents a musical legacy which predates modern country style music, having been handed down from generation to generation by the Southern Appalachian Mountain folk. Its roots are found in tunes and ballads emanating from the British Isles and Northern Europe and brought to the region by the original settlers in the early 1700's.
Over the years Jim and Carol Ann, the original founders of the Mountain Strings Dulcimer Band have seen a similarity in the music of the mountains and the music played by the indigenous settlers of the New Jersey Pinelands region right here in our own back yard. They have gone on to form a new band with musicians who live in and around this unique area. We would like to introduce you to
the
"A
New Jersey Pinelands Band"
click
Our name is taken from the words used by the local inhabitants of the New Jersey Pinelands to describe the white sand roads that weave their way through the back woods of this remote, 1 million acre region in New Jersey.
Find out more about the Sugar
Sand Ramblers by clicking on the name above.
