My Sister Sarah

Sarah & One of Her Cornhusk Dolls

Ok so this blog post is not about music but it is a story/thank you that I need to write somewhere. My older sister Sarah graduated this past Saturday so I figure that this is as good a time as any to tell you about my sister.

Ever since I was born Sarah has been my playmate and one of my best friends. I have always enjoyed doing things with Sarah through the years. Whether we are hiking, watching movies, or enduring a long art show, she is a great person to be around.

Sarah's Pressed Flower Portrait of Audrey Hepburn

Sarah is also an incredible artist. She has a very successful art business, making cornhusk dolls and pressed flower pictures. Her work is in several galleries and she also shows her work at various art shows. She even has here own studio/store. You can see more of her work at her website http://www.sarahslavendercottage.com/

I could not ask for a better sister or a better friend! So thank you Sarah for being a wonderful sister! It has been a pleasure to know you for almost 14 years.

-Nathaniel

The Dulcimer Jamboree

I got to enjoy last weekend at The Dulcimer Jamboree in Mountain View, Arkansas, which, by the way, is a wonderful way to spend the weekend. The Dulcimer Jamboree is one of my favorite dulcimer festivals every year. There are two things in particular that I really like about this festival. The first is the amazing series of concerts, and the second is the dulcimer contest.

The concerts at the festival are a mix of the faculty of the festival along with the wonderful musicians at the Ozark Folk Center (where the festival is held). The concerts are held in the Ozark Folk Center's beautiful auditorium which is a great venue to watch a show.

The festival is also home to the Southern Regional mountain and hammer dulcimer championships. I placed third in the competition right behind two friends mine, Jonathan Dowell and Wendy Songe. The competition was the best it has been in years with 13 very talented dulcimer contestants. Congratulations to everybody that competed and particularly to my friend Wendy Songe The 2012 Southern Regional Mountain Dulcimer Champion. She played beautifully and completely deserved her new title!

I am already looking forward to the next Dulcimer Jamboree!

-Nathaniel

The Ohio Valley Gathering

I had a great time at The Ohio Valley Gathering in Louisville, Kentucky. I saw and met some great people, including many other musicians. I taught a class, which went very well. I also performed, including a duet with Stephen Seifert, which I thought went great! It was also the first festival where I have ever sold my new CD "Playing in the Creek," and I sold several copies!

My favorite part of the festival would probably have to be performing "Just a Closer Walk with Thee" with Stephen Seifert. Although I really enjoyed getting to visit with, meet and jam with a bunch of great people!

The only problem is that it will be a whole year till the next OVG!

-Nathaniel

Looking Forward

I am looking forward to attending several dulcimer festivals this spring! The two that I look forward to the most are the Ohio Valley Gathering and The Dulcimer Jamboree. The Ohio Valley Gathering is almost here! In about a week it will start. I am looking forward to teaching and performing at this festival. It will also be the first festival here I have ever sold my new CD "Playing in the Creek." The Dulcimer Jamboree in Mountain View, Arkansas isn't as soon, but it is approaching quickly! I look forward to hanging out around the festival and spending at the Dulcimer Shoppe, where McSpadden Dulcimers are built. I also look forward to the wonderful concerts by the festival facility and the musicians of the Ozark Folk Center. I will be competing in the Southern Regional Mountain Dulcimer Championship.

Don't forget my new CD "Playing in the Creek" is available now! Click here for more info about the CD and how to order it!

-Nathaniel

"Playing in the Creek" RELEASED!

My new CD "Playing in the Creek" was released today! I am so excited to share this CD with you. I am extremely happy with the way it turned out! Thank you to Stephen Seifert, who did the engineering, mixing, mastering and artwork and even joined me for two duets! For more info about the CD and about how to order it check out this page http://www.nathanielsamsel.com/p/cd-playing-in-creek.html

-Nathaniel

Playing in the Creek

Shipping March 12! For ordering now click here!

Mid-Winter Dulcimer Festival

I spent my weekend at the Mid-Winter Dulcimer Festival in Shelby, NC. It was the first dulcimer festival I have ever attended without my dad. I got a ride up there with my first dulcimer teacher. And I stayed with Ray and Jo Anthony and Bradley Ellis at there house. I had a great time at the festival taking classes, jamming, and watching concerts. I also enjoyed getting to visit with some great musician friends there.

Also as a side note although it has nothing to do with music I should probably mention the livermush. Apparently Shelby, NC is Livermush USA and everyone that comes to Shelby has to try the livermush. So I tried it. It wasn't my favorite meat of all time but it was better than it sounds like it would be.

-Nathaniel