Dick Gilman is an Artist, Musician, Craftsman & so much more!

A Message from Dick Gilman:
Though I am a native of New Hampshire, it was as a graduate student at the University of Illinois where I was first exposed to the music of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. As an enthusiastic member of the University Folk Song Society I was privileged to meet and talk with North Carolina tobacco farmer, singer and instrument builder, Frank Proffitt, who presented one of the many concerts sponsored by the society. Inspired by the simplicity and beauty of Frank’s music, his hand made banjos and dulcimers, I too began building and playing similar instruments. I moved to New York after accepting a position in the Geology Department at SUNY Fredonia, where, in addition to my teaching and geologic activities, I pursued “all things folk” as time allowed. Since my retirement in 1995 I typically make six to eight instruments a year
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Working with cherry, walnut, and curly maple. I craft each instrument using predominantly hand tools. I play them when my wife, Carmen, and I perform throughout the region usually at small, informal gatherings. I find playing an old time tune on one of these instruments, especially one you have made yourself, is a guaranteed “pick-me-up”.