Loreena McKennitt, Metallica, Carol Tatum of Angels of Venice, U2, Dixie Chicks
Sounds Like
...a medieval harpsichord... the hammered dulcimer derives from the ancient Persian instrument, the santur, which came about during the era of Jesus Christ. It probably was brought back to England about 1000 years ago during one of the failed English Christian Crusades perhaps led by King Richard the Lionhearted. Taking years to trek back from losing a war, the santur evolved into the hammered dulcimer having been retuned in an diatonic scale much like a Celtic Harp. Celtic music has become the primary genre of the instrument due to its liveliness, simple scales, and history.
The instrument later was mechanized to become what we fondly know of the harpsichord, which later evolved into the modern-day piano.
Born in Delaware and raised in Maryland, Scott Williams took up the hammered dulcimer in college after a spontaneous purchase of one at the Maryland Renaissance Festival. A few months later, he was playing Christmas carols for the family church Christmas Eve service.
With Celtic, colonial, medieval, rock, and Renaissance influences, Scott has developed a repertoire of songs on the hammered dulcimer which he now performs at Downtown Disney, corporate events, private parties, street and Renaissance festivals, and shopping malls throughout Orange County, Central California, Las Vegas, and San Diego. His medieval renditions of Metallica are always a head-turning event at festivals, and an album titled 'Dulcitallica' consisting of 100% Metallica songs will be available in Summer 2009.
As a multi-instrumentalist, Scott plays and records the majority of what he calls his "backing tracks." These tracks are studio mixes of guitars, cello, bass, drums, mountain dulcimer, mandolins, and synthesizers to create the foundation of his music. He then performs live with the hammered dulcimer to combine the sounds for a presentation of what sounds like a full ensemble.
Scott has four studio albums, The Burning of the Piper's Hut (American folk / colonial), The Road to Lisdoonvarna (Celtic), Home for the Holidays (Christmas), and Tristan of the Western Sea (massage / yoga / meditation).
Since the hammered dulcimer is such an unusual instrument, people are very drawn to it. Children, especially, find it mesmerizing. "It's perhaps the best part of this adventure," Scott says, "…watching the expressions on children's faces, talking to them, and the best is letting them play the dulcimer. There are always several that leave an impact on me whenever I play. It's very heartfelt and magical."
Thank you for the friendship Scott! We have The Road to Lisdoonvarna CD & are really enjoying it!!! May your continued journey be joyful and blessed in every way! Peace and Happiness, Rhiannon
Next paycheck, the new album shall be mine! The previous still continue to drive and accompany me as I write and paint, and I can't thank you enough for that. However, I am just as upset because waiting a whole year for Dulcitallica just may kill me!
Hey Scott! So happy that the new album is released! Time to go to DTD and pick it up! We have all of your CD's and visit you often at DTD. (Down Town Disney) Our son loves you, He turned 7 and has been listening to you for a few years now. He has Autism and your music really relax's him, he calls you Scott Dulcimer! We will probably buy the new one and "The Road to Lisdoonvarna". Lisdoonvarna is his favorite CD and we lost the disc. :o( He misses it.
Lol So, we will be seeing you soon! Yippee! Always good to hear you play in person. You have a wonderful gift, thank you for sharing it!
Oooh.....more CDs for me to collect. ^_^. I also have to purchase your other CDs because I left mine back in Texas and I'm now living in Hawaii. -_- Yeah, I know...bad me...but, I promise never to forget 'em again. I have to come back here to listen to your music...it's beautiful, in my opinion. ^_^ Thank you so much and keep up the good work. ^_^
We listened to your whole cd at my friends wedding every one loved it and wanted to know what it was. thank you for making this world a more beautiful place
A. how did i not know you had a new CD? B. if you get a chance- and you want to giggle- check out "I heart Dave" by Daniel Tosh (comedian) on itunes. I think you'd like it. most of the subject matter in that particular track is for you. :) C. We need to get together soon so that you can teach me how to rock out on my guitar, and so we can catch up before I move.
Hey, I was with the guy that posted below you at Disneyland. I can't begin to describe how awesome that was to come to Disneyland and have music that touches me so much being played. I would have to say it was probably the best part of my trip. Your music inspires me very much! Thanks man, keep up the amazing work!
Hey, I recently bought your CD on May 3rd in Downtown Disney! I came with my band, the Portales High School Ram Band, on a trip to Universal Studios/Disney Land to perform in the parade and have a vacation. As soon as one of my friends and I stepped off of the tram, we heard your music playing. I have a pretty strong Scottish/Irish background, so when I heard your music, I rushed over to listen. But you not only play one of my most favorite types of music, but also my favorite band: Metallica. The music you play is very inspirational to me and I highly thank you for being such a great musician!
I hope to see you again one day at one of your gigs. You're awesome. Keep up the good work. One of these days, try and get the Braveheart theme on the dulcimer. It's not that complicated. It's in Am and the first note is on the 5th.
Hope to get lessons from you one day soon. Please let me know when you start teaching.
Take care, and God bless. Alba gu bra! ("Scotland forever," in Gaelic)
Hello! Quite some time ago I found a song over the net with the title "Scott Williams - Crystal Tears". I searched in MySpace and here you are! I love your music, especially this Crystal Tears! In which album is it? Can I somehow buy it? I live in Greece.. :-/
Thanks for adding me I was at the renaissanse faire this weekend, you were awesome! I loved that song you played by Metallica was it unforgiven, or nothing else matters? Either way you were great Kudos! Kym
Hi Scott, thanks a lot for the add! I simply ADORE your music, and the way you play the hammered dulcimer... do hope to hear you live, someday. Hails from Italy!!! :)
Thank you for adding me, Scott. My hubby and I love your music. The first time I heard your music is when I went to California to meet my hubby for the first time in April 2006 (yep, last year). My hubby and I fell in love with your music and kept playing the CDs we bought when I went back home to Texas. Thank you so much for the add again and it's wonderful listening to a great musician! ^_^ *Tim and Nina Armstrong*
Hey, Scott ... I used to think I was somethin' because if somebody in the pub would yell out "Play some Skynyrd!" I could play it. But you and your Metallica ... that's somethin' somethin'. Keep it goin' ... Marcille
Hi Scott and thanks for the add! We come watch you play often down at Downtown Disney. We love your music and own all of your CD's. My 6 year old son who has autism finds your music very calming. For me it's just in my Scot blood! Touches my soul. See you sometime soon at DTD. It's been awhile since we've gotten to come watch you play. Take Care and have a great weekend!
Scott! No wonder I haven't run into you in a long while (wasn't that always crazy?)! You're "way up North" now! ;) Never thought you'd leave P.B. Glad to have found you again. I think I'm down one album... need to get that some time so I have the whole Scott Williams collection (what would any self-respecting CD collection be w/out that?).
Keep wearing the pirate shirts... you know how much I like them. ;)
