photo of Neal Hellman
Neal Hellman has been active in acoustic music since 1973. He has penned many books on the Appalachian dulcimer, including his most recent, It's a Dulcimer Life. Neal's many recordings include Oktober County and Dream of the Manatee (with Joe Weed).
Neal founded Gourd Music in 1987, and the label has released fifteen albums. His dulcimer work is featuured on The Fairie Round, Simple Gifts, The World Turned Upside Down and Tree of Life. He recently completed the soundtrack (with Joe Weed) of Princess Furball, an animated children's video.
Neal's first loves are performing and teaching, and he still finds to time to do some of each. Neal is still recovering from the absence of the World Series in 1994.
photo of Joe Weed
Joe Weed's diverse talents keep him much in demand as a performer, recording artists and producer of acoustic music in both the US and Europe. His recordings include the award-winning Waltz of the Whippoorwill, American Portrait, Prairie Lullaby, Prairie Christmas and the brand new album of California surf music performed by bluegrass masters The Vultures. Joe has written and recorded for movie soundtracks and is the author of two books for violin. He lives in the Santa Cruz Mountains of Califorina with his wife Marti Kendall and their two children.

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