Hey folks,
I've moved over to a Wordpress blog, for its ease of posting mp3 files. If you'd like to check out my music blog, go to: www.christieburns.com

Ok people,
Here's everything you need to know for the upcoming year, in one handy list.

Causeway Dulcimer Festival: Bushmills, Northern Ireland.
JUNE 10-12, 2005
Does life get any better than this? Traditional Irish music, dulcimers, and the big Giants Causeway, all in one place. Dick Glasgow is the man in charge. Contact him through the site to see how you can get involved!

Chattanooga Dulcimer Festival: Signal Mountain, Tennessee.
JUNE 24-26, 2005
Dan Landrum is the man for this one, actually, his wife Angie is. Anyway, their theme for the festival is "a non-traditional approach to traditional instruments". This fest is not only going to take place in one of the most beautiful places in the Eastern U.S., it's also going to rock your socks off. You'll see.

Cimbalom World Congress: Beijing, China.
OCTOBER 14-19, 2005
Yes, this means, YOU. The Cimbalom World Association is for anyone who plays ANY form of the hammered dulcimer anywhere in the world. Our congresses are only every 2 years, and they move locations each time, so each one is completely unique. If you are a dulcimer player and you have even the slightest interest in music from other countries, this is your invitation to hear and meet musicians from over 25 different countries all in one really exciting place! Words alone cannot describe what an incredible experience a CWA World Congress is, so I encourage you to start saving up your pennies like I am, and get yourself to Beijing this October!!

Looking pretty at the Folk Studies department Christmas party, 2004.

A new semester underway, and I'm happy to report all's going quite well. At this very moment I'm sitting in the living on our brand new used couch (formerly owned by a folklorist who currently works for the state of Kentucky). Butch is entertaining our two guests with his splendid tales of mystery and magic from South Street, Philadelphia. Here we have Stuart-- he's a recent grad of our folklore program-- and a new friend named Amanda who's really a kickass bass player but is currently playing the student game at WKU. Coincidentally, Amanda's a friend of the Olwell family, the family of the flutemaker who is really to blame for introducing me to the dulcimer in the first place. Not to mention another wild full-circle story... I live for those.

Taco Bell, Dan in a tree, and me at the edge

Phillip, Angie, Dan, Hershey, Christie, and Butch at Fallingwater Creek

Signal Mountain, overlooking the Tennessee River

Performing with Dan Landrum at Rock City

Happy New Year!!
And greetings from Signal Mountain, TN. I'm posting from the home of Dan and Angie Landrum, hosts of one of the best vacations Butch and I have ever had. We're overlooking the city of Chattanooga, seeing it from all kinds of angles-- from a 7-mile hike we took a few days ago, a walk up to a waterfall yesterday, playing music at Rock City every night... What a beautiful and peaceful place this is! Dulcimer festival plans are afoot, and all kinds of ideas are being exchanged. Looking forward to coming back here!!!

Two of my all-time favorite guys... I'm keeping 'em forever.