During college, John McCutcheon convinced his advisor to let him take an independent study course where he hiked around the Southern Appalachians, playing his banjo with fellow musicians he met along the way.
It was a three-month study that McCutcheon says he is still on—five decades later.
"I got completely seduced by Appalachia and made it my home," McCutcheon said.
One of his early albums "The Wind That Shakes the Barley" reflects the early influences, particularly his mastery of the hammer dulcimer.
The album itself is mostly instrumental, with reels, rags and gospel throughout; it also bears the distinction of being one of the first all-hammer dulcimer albums released in the United States.
When he became a father in the 1980's, McCutcheon's focus shifted and he began writing and recording children's music. With the debut of his album "Howjadoo" on Rounder Records in 1983, McCutcheon produced music for kids that carried the same socially conscious messages as the songs he wrote for adult audiences.
John McCutcheon has released more than 41 albums and has been nominated for six Grammy awards. He maintains a busy touring schedule, including appearances in the Midwest, New England and an Alaska tour, in addition to offering teaching workshops for aspiring folk singers and musicians.
The singer, author, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist performs live at Asheville's Ayurprana Listening Room on Friday, February 16 at 7pm.
Sing Me Home series is created by Laura Blackley to highlight the vibrant music art and culture of the Western North Carolina region.
