John McCutcheon
b. 14 August 1952, Wisconsin, USA. McCutcheon, whose family background encompasses farmers and shoemakers, started playing guitar in the early '60s. He picked up a great number of traditional American songs and tunes from the Appalachians, and learned a wealth of instruments, including fiddle, banjo, autoharp, dulcimer. He is especially regarded for his songwriting and hammer-dulcimer playing, as can be heard on STEP BY STEP. His dulcimer playing encompasses folk, classical, jazz and many other elements. FINE TIMES AT OUR HOUSE received a Grammy nomination on release, while STEP BY STEP received the NAIRD Award, in 1987, for string music album of the year. In 1986, FRETSmagazine readers poll named McCutcheon the String Instrumentalist of the Year. Christmas In The Trenches, from WINTER SOLSTICE, tells the story from a soldier's point of view of the day when opposing troops got together in no-man's land during World War I, to celebrate Christmas. MAIL MYSELF TO YOU, and HOWJADOO, in contrast, consisted of children's songs, both traditional and contemporary. In 1984, McCutcheon co-produced, co-wrote and arranged WATCH OUT by Holly Near. Occasionally, he tours the UK. He has also recorded with songwriter Si Kahn, including SIGNS OF THE TIMES. John also collected and recorded a good deal of Nicaraguan music, which was released on Rounder as a double album NICARAGUA PRESENTE! in 1989. Since 1989, he has been co-editor for Folk Blues And Bayond, a regular piece in INTERNATIONAL MUSICIAN magazine.