Camdenton
Missouri
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String Fever Music
History
Dave and Laurie Thomspon had no idea, when he gave her a hammered dulcimer in 1992, that they were marking the conception of what would eventually become their bouncing and all consuming musical offspring. Laurie fell completely in love with the dulcimer, and since Dave already played guitar, an instant duo burst onto the music scene. Well, maybe not "burst" exactly - it was more like "started tinkling around in their living room." It wasn't long, however, before the word got out and they received a request for some pre-wedding dulcimer music. "I declined, since I didn't know many tunes yet, and certainly no wedding music" says Laurie. But love is blind and apparently deaf, and since the groom was of Celtic descent the couple was undeterred by the limited repertoire as long as the dulcimer was there. "But," says Dave, "that was the only time we played 'Irish Washwoman' at a wedding!"
Dave and Laurie christened their band "String Fever" and the fun began. Dave borrowed, then bought an upright bass. He bought, then sold, a mandolin. He rented, then returned, a cello. He was given, and treasured, a family violin. He built, and hung on the wall, a mountain dulcimer. If it had strings, it became at least a foster child if not a full-fledged adoption. Dave became fascinated with the history of the instruments - he bought piles of books and read himself to sleep night after night. Laurie always knew it was time to turn out the light when the book fell on Dave's face.
In the meantime, Laurie stayed focused on her first-born, the hammered dulcimer. She expanded her repertoire to include many types of music, including some appropriate wedding tunes. By 1997, after countless requests for a CD, Dave and Laurie released their first album "Sharing Life," a sampler of the many different types of tunes they enjoy playing. That CD was sent to Silver Dollar City, an 1890's theme park in Branson, MO, and the Thompsons were contacted to play during the Great American Music Festival, where they have appeared annually since 1998.
As people's interest grew, Laurie began selling dulcimers and giving lessons. She attended workshops whenever possible to pick up new tunes, new techniques, and new teachers--er, become acquainted with new teachers, that is. Dave would tag along, bringing out his bass at jam sessions in the evenings. Invariably, someone would ask him if his bass was for sale - so Dave started buying and selling basses. In addition to performing and selling instruments, Laurie and Dave kept a supply of accessories such as tuners, hammers, dulcimer stands, bass stands, strings, and instruction books. As a band, "String Fever" has recorded 3 albums and performs as often as time permits. String Fever Music provides individuals with quality stringed instruments and accessories.
Dave and Laurie Thomspon had no idea, when he gave her a hammered dulcimer in 1992, that they were marking the conception of what would eventually become their bouncing and all consuming musical offspring. Laurie fell completely in love with the dulcimer, and since Dave already played guitar, an instant duo burst onto the music scene. Well, maybe not "burst" exactly - it was more like "started tinkling around in their living room." It wasn't long, however, before the word got out and they received a request for some pre-wedding dulcimer music. "I declined, since I didn't know many tunes yet, and certainly no wedding music" says Laurie. But love is blind and apparently deaf, and since the groom was of Celtic descent the couple was undeterred by the limited repertoire as long as the dulcimer was there. "But," says Dave, "that was the only time we played 'Irish Washwoman' at a wedding!"
Dave and Laurie christened their band "String Fever" and the fun began. Dave borrowed, then bought an upright bass. He bought, then sold, a mandolin. He rented, then returned, a cello. He was given, and treasured, a family violin. He built, and hung on the wall, a mountain dulcimer. If it had strings, it became at least a foster child if not a full-fledged adoption. Dave became fascinated with the history of the instruments - he bought piles of books and read himself to sleep night after night. Laurie always knew it was time to turn out the light when the book fell on Dave's face.
In the meantime, Laurie stayed focused on her first-born, the hammered dulcimer. She expanded her repertoire to include many types of music, including some appropriate wedding tunes. By 1997, after countless requests for a CD, Dave and Laurie released their first album "Sharing Life," a sampler of the many different types of tunes they enjoy playing. That CD was sent to Silver Dollar City, an 1890's theme park in Branson, MO, and the Thompsons were contacted to play during the Great American Music Festival, where they have appeared annually since 1998.
As people's interest grew, Laurie began selling dulcimers and giving lessons. She attended workshops whenever possible to pick up new tunes, new techniques, and new teachers--er, become acquainted with new teachers, that is. Dave would tag along, bringing out his bass at jam sessions in the evenings. Invariably, someone would ask him if his bass was for sale - so Dave started buying and selling basses. In addition to performing and selling instruments, Laurie and Dave kept a supply of accessories such as tuners, hammers, dulcimer stands, bass stands, strings, and instruction books. As a band, "String Fever" has recorded 3 albums and performs as often as time permits. String Fever Music provides individuals with quality stringed instruments and accessories.