"David
Schnaufer is the Richard Thompson--or maybe the Eric Clapton of the
dulcimer....Schnaufer extends the musical reach of the dulcimer without
losing any of the inherent sweetness or down home coziness of the instrument."
GraceAnne A. DeCandido *** Library
Journal *** July, 1990
When
David Schnaufer came to Nashville, it was with the talent and commitment
to move the sweet sound of the Appalachian dulcimer into the music mainstream.
His strong respect for the instrument's musical and cultural heritage
and his unshakable belief in its range and possibilities have allowed
him to do just that.
"As
a solo artist, a bandleader, and a featured studio player on some of
Nashville's most memorable recent recordings, David's pulled off a near
miracle. He's made a close-to-forgotten acoustic instrument relevant,
and he's done it in a hi-tech age obsessed with drum machines and the
latest synthesized equipment." (Michael McCall)
"Everyone
has an instrument," says David. "It's just a matter of finding it."
David found his musical voice the first time he strummed a dulcimer
in a music store in Austin, Texas. Three days later he left college
and went in search of the dulcimer players and old-time musicians from
whom he would learn. Leaving his native Texas, he spent time in Colorado
and West Virginia before bringing his talent and drive to Nashville.
David's
Nashville projects include award-winning videos of "I'm So Lonesome
I Could Cry" and "Fisher's Hornpipe" and special musical projects with
Emmylou Harris and Johnny Cash. His session credits include work with
The Judds, Kathy Mattea, Holly Dunn, Dan Seals, and Hank Williams, Jr.
He has toured as opening act with the Everly Brothers and appeared on
Mark O'Connor's "New Nashville Cats."
David's
four solo recordings have been enhanced by several of the world's most
respected pickers including Chet Atkins, Mark O'Connor, Mark Knopfler,
and Albert Lee.
He
has developed learning materials including "Swing Nine Yards of Calico,"
a book and tape set, and "Learning Mountain Dulcimer," an instructional
video.
Throughout
his career he has researched the history and culture of the Appalachian
dulcimer collecting instruments, oral histories, and music. A recent
project includes researching and performing with a unique Tennessee
dulcimer which was called a "music box" by its creators over 100 years
ago. He co-authored an article for the Tennessee Folklore Society Bulletin
detailing the history of this special instrument.
In
one year, David was responsible for the inclusion of the Tennessee music
box on a folk recording (his own Tennessee Music Box), a pop recording
(Cyndi Lauper's Sisters of Avalon) and a classical recording (Nashville
Chamber Orchestra's Conversations in Silence). A dulcimer program at
Vanderbilt
University's Blair School of Music began
in 1995 under David's guidance as Adjunct Associate Professor of Dulcimer.
This program has grown in its 3 years to include over 45 community and
university students. A Master Class in the summer of 1996 brought 14
students representing 9 states to Blair for dulcimer study.
Learn
More!
David was the subject of a 1997 feature
article in the fall, 1997 Dulcimer
Times.
Recording Experience
1996: Sisters
of Avalon, Cyndi Lauper,
Epic Records
1994: The Cactus Brothers, Liberty
Records
1993:Johnny Cash & June Carter
Cash, Return to the Promised Land
1990: Mark O'Connor ,New Nashville
Cats, Warner Brothers Records
Smoky Mountain Melodies, Volume II, Brentwood Records
The Marcy Brothers, Warner Brothers Records
1989:The Wagoneers, Good Fortune,
RCA Records
Smoky Mountain Christmas, Brentwood Records
1988: Mark O'Connor, Elysian Forest,
Warner Brothers Records
Smoky Mountain Hymns, Brentwood Records
1987: The Judds, Heartland, RCA Records
Smoky Mountain Melodies, Brentwood Records
Kathy Mattea, Untold Stories, Polygram Records
Holly Dunn, MTM Records
Dan Seals, On the Front Line, Capitol Records
1986: Rattlesnake Annie, Columbia
Records
Christmastime with the Judds, RCA Records
The Judds, Rockin' With the Rhythm, RCA Records
Solo Recordings
1996: Tennessee Music Box, (Cassette
& CD), Rivertime Music
1992: Dulcimer Sessions (Cassette
& CD), SFL Tapes &Discs
1990: Dulcimer Player Deluxe (CD),
SFL Tapes &Discs
1989: Dulcimer Player (Cassette),
SFL Tapes &Discs
1988: Dulcimer Deluxe (Cassette),
SFL Tapes &Discs
1984: Rosie's Arms & Other Retreats
(EP), Boy Howdy Records
Video Credits
1990: Hank Williams: A Man & His
Music (PBS). David was Emmylou Harris' sole accompanist in this special
which aired nationally.
1990: I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry
(Promotional Video). Solo instrumental shoot. The video reached #41
on the CMT charts and was carried on 83 additional national, regional,
and local outlets including TNN.
1990: Learning Mountain Dulcimer (Instructional
Video), Homespun Tapes
Publications
1998: Tennessee Music Box - History,
Mystery and Revival, Tennessee Folklore Society Bulletin
1994: Swing Nine Yards of Calico, tablature
book and instructional cassette
Performances and
Television Appearances
1990: Everly Brothers Tour (Opening
Act), U. S. and Canada
1990: News and/or feature segments
on network affiliates in Dallas, Houston, Austin, Nashville, and Shreveport
1990: Tennessee Fall Homecoming, Norris,
Tennessee
1985-1990: Summer Lights Festival,
Nashville, Tennessee
1984-1996: Many appearances at festivals,
in clubs, at trade shows and for corporate functions in solo, duo, trio,
and larger configurations.
1989: New Country, The Nashville Network
1986-1989: Nashville Now, The Nashville
Network (4 appearances)
Other
David won the first National Mountain
Dulcimer Competition and has won seven additional local, state and regional
contests. He is a member of N.A.R.A.S. (Nashville Chapter) and is the
only dulcimer player to ever accumulate enough major label master sessions
to qualify for membership.
Teaching Experience
1995-present: Adjunct Associate Professor
of Dulcimer, Vanderbilt University Blair School of Music
1996: Instructor, Elderhostel, Vanderbilt
University
1978-present: Workshops and weeklong
seminars throughout the United States including Appalachian State University,
Boone, NC; Kentucky Music Week, Louisville, KY; Augusta Heritage Center,
Davis & Elkins College, WV; Denver Folklore Center
E-mail
for further details.
by Sandy Conatser