Rick Smith Hammers
Endorsed by Walt Michael
"Throughout the renaissance of the hammered dulcimer over the past 40 years, hammered dulcimers have evolved and improved immensely. Unfortunately, the hammers themselves have either been an insufficient afterthought of the dulcimer builder, or something more akin to a woodworking showpiece rather than a musician's tool. Rick Smith brings a fine woodworker's grace and a scientist's mind to the design of his hammers. At last, someone is building a flexible, precision hammer worthy of the music we intend to play."
- Walt Michael
Considered to be a virtuoso of tremendous influence in the revival of
the hammered dulcimer, Walt’s wide repertoire ranges from old-time Southern
Appalachian, to Celtic, to breath-taking original compositions. His various
musical incarnations, including Bottle Hill, Michael, McCreesh & Campbell
and Walt Michael & Co. have spanned over 35 years and taken him from the
coal camps of Appalachia to the Closing Ceremonies of the 13th Olympic Winter
Games. As a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist he has recorded fourteen albums
and instructional videos, appeared at the White House, the Lincoln Center, the
Kennedy Center and he has toured extensively throughout the US, Canada, Europe
and the UK. His music has been heard on ABC-TV, NBC's Tonight Show, Broadway,
BBC, TNN, CBC, OLN and PBS. Walt’s collaborations include works with the
Pilobolus Dance Theater and the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater.
Walt’s most recent studio endeavors are as musical producer and composer
for the Outdoor Living Network’s 13-episode television documentary Cowboy
101 which premiered in October 2004, as well as two instrumental albums on Whipoorwill
Records with 5-time Tennessee State Champion fiddler, Jim Wood. Walt is the
Artist in Residence at McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland, as well as
founder and Executive Director of Common Ground on the Hill, an international
traditional arts organization which seeks to promote interracial harmony through
the traditional arts.
www.waltmichael.com