Published: November 29, 2008 11:30 pm         

Strands of holiday dulcimers to fill museum Friday

PALESTINE — The third annual Dulcimer Fund-raising Christmas Concert featuring well known Dulcimer performers Jerry and Margaret Wright, along with family and friends will be at the Museum for East Texas Culture on Friday.

The show will begin at 7 p.m. with performers from Crockett, San Antonio, Houston, Beaumont, Jacksonville and other parts.

“Make sure to get your tickets early and make plans to attend this outstanding show combining the sounds of Dulcimer and Christmas music,” museum spokeswoman Elizabeth Mason said. “All of the entertainers donate their time and talents for this fund-raiser for the museum, with all the proceeds from the show going to the museum.”

The Wright family travels to many festivals. Margaret and Lloyd both hold workshops at many of the festivals. Margaret produces the much sought-after “Twelve Tune Song Book” (sheet music for the mountain dulcimer).

The family as a whole or in part has recorded many CDs. The latest "Crossing the Line” was released in 2005. Margaret plays mountain dulcimer and bass. Lloyd plays mountain dulcimer, guitar, mandolin, banjo and bass. Hollis plays mandolin, Autoharp and bass. Jerry plays the pickin’ stick, which is related to the mountain dulcimer.

Jerry and Margaret Wright host the First Saturday mountain dulcimer class, jam and open mike at the Camp Street Cafe in Crockett. They also founded and produce the three-day Palestine Old Time Music and Dulcimer Festival held at the Museum for East Texas Culture in March during the Dogwood Trails Celebration.

Each summer, Jerry and Margaret travel to the Appalachian Mountains in North Carolina and collect more tunes, with many of which end up in the “Twelve Tune Song Books.”

Tickets are $10 and are on sale at the museum office, 400 Micheaux Ave.

     

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