Jim Taylor

Jim Taylor

     We remember Jim with love and great admiration,
and for many years of friendship. Jim died tragically
in the spring of 2009.

     Jim was an instrument builder, a fine musician and a recording artist. Besides the two hammered dulcimer recordings featured on this site, Jim produced a number of recordings of songs and instrumental music from the Civil War period, as well as a Christmas album with his wife, Sheila Kay Adams.

     Jim was also well known for his high quality hammered dulcimers, and he built the instrument which Timmy plays in concert. Here's more:

     Jim came from a musical family in western North Carolina, but saw his first hammered dulcimer while in graduate school in Ft. Worth, TX. There he came under the influence of Russell Cook, Dana Hamilton, Linda Lowe Thompson, and other fine players in the region.

     Returning home, Jim began building dulcimers in his parents' garage, and, in 1988, released his first CD, Come Before Winter, a compilation of traditional Celtic music with several of his own compositions written specifically for the hammered dulcimer.

     Jim graduated from Western Carolina University with an MA in American History. He enjoyed many years participating in Civil War re-enactments and was a teacher and performer at various music camps including The Swannanoa Gathering and at The Augusta Heritage Center. Jim combined his love for traditional music and history in several CDs including "The Civil War Collection", Volumes 1 & 2, "The Bright Sunny South, Songs From The Civil War", "The Falls of Richmond", "Little Rose Is Gone" and "Christmas on the Mountain".