Mountain music magic: Man and father-in-law connect through making instruments

It's pretty common for a father to teach his son about the family business or even share the same talents and abilities. But it isn't every day you see a father-in-law and a son-in-law bonded by the same talents and interests. Meet Gary Dudley and his father-in-law, Jesse Williams, who are not connected by genes, but are very much connected by their love of creating beautiful things from wood.

This pair of crafters seems to have their own magic formula for making beautiful music -- by making their own brand of Appalachian mountain dulcimers. Their made-to-order instruments are beautiful pieces of functional art. Even if one doesn't know how to play a dulcimer, the excellent craftsmanship make them sought-after collectibles. Most days you can find the pair working in their blue metal shop in the rolling hills of western Cape Girardeau County, just a mile from Bollinger Mill.

The mountain dulcimer has been in existence for hundreds of years. Dulcimers were even mentioned in the Bible. Many Ozark residents grew up singing hymns to the tune of this distinctive instrument.

Those entering Gary and Jesse's shop are greeted by the fragrant smell of fresh cut lumber and are likely to find dulcimers in various stages of completion. Thin wood strips will be in the soaker, to become soft and flexible. More strips may already be in the side-forming jig, designed and constructed by Gary, to dry and shape the curved sides of each dulcimer. Pieces of wood for the sides, back and soundboard are stacked, waiting to be cut into thin strips of 1/8 inch or less. These thin pieces of wood require steady and skillful handling to become a quality musical instrument.

Gary might be tracing the soundhole designs on the soundboard or marking the fingerboard in preparation for attaching fret wires and strings. Butterflies, hearts and crosses are popular soundhole designs. But Gary and Jesse are willing to come up with whatever suits their customers' fancy. Flowers and other decorations make each dulcimer one-of-a-kind. Jesse may be sanding a finished set of side boards or gluing the three to five layers of carved wood that fit together to make the headblock or the tailblock.

Photo by Mary Koeberl Rechenberg

A visit to Hillbilly Junction north of West Plains, Mo., was the inspiration to create this special kind of instrument. Gary found a mountain dulcimer made from a kit and purchased it. He decided that he would try making a dulcimer of his own from scratch. With help from a friend, he started his first dulcimer -- and he was hooked. It wasn't long before he had convinced Jesse to join the fun. They tried their hand at making other instruments, such as guitars and mandolins. But they soon discovered that the dulcimer is much easier to construct, as it is made of all straight pieces of wood.

Quality instruments must be tested. After Gary studied every fact he could find in the library concerning the history and origin of the dulcimer, he took lessons and learned to play. His wife, Cindy, admits to being serenaded to sleep many nights as he practiced folk tunes and hymns.

Gary and Jesse generally make their dulcimers with four or six strings, but they will construct a dulcimer with as many strings and in any shape requested. There are many body shapes available for the mountain dulcimer; the hourglass, the teardrop and the violin shape are probably the most popular. Like many other artists, Gary and Jesse aren't in the business to get rich. There is no way they could be fully compensated for the many hours it takes to complete a project.

"It takes me about a week to make each instrument," Gary said. "Customer satisfaction is our reward."

He sells his dulcimers mostly by word-of-mouth advertising and has played his dulcimers for various groups in the area to spread the word. Gary has even offered free lessons to get a first-time player started.

Jesse sells his dulcimers online and through music stores in Cape Girardeau and in Mountain View, Ark. Their dulcimers have ended up in 11 states and in Japan. One was even purchased as a gift for singer Pat Boone.

Mary Koeberl Rechenberg is a retired teacher and freelance writer from Millersville, Mo