Swingman,
Yes, I know the Wrights, they have visited our club in Pittsburg, TX.
We use Margaret's 12 tune books a lot.
If you think a 12 dulcimer orchestra is loud, you should hear our club
playing with 40+ dulcimers. We are getting some younger ones now, 9-12
year olds and they are coming along really well. Thrilling to know that
the lowly dulcimer is becoming popular again and will likely continue
many years.
Sorry to hurt your ears, Kate.
w.
Swingman wrote:
"Walter Johnson" wrote in message
Swingman,
In keeping with the subject matter (vaguely) on this discussion group
you hit the nail right on the head in Dulcimers not relating to
Bluegrass. Thanks for your comments.
Probably still hurts Kate's ears, either way. 
Noticed you're a mountain dulcimer builder. I was privileged to have
recorded a number of "old time" music albums down through the years. One of
those groups that will always stand out in my mind is "The Wright Family",
with whom you may be familiar. Lloyd Wright, one of the sons of Margaret and
Jerry, won Winfield, IIRC, in 2000 in the mountain dulcimer competition ...
that's equivalent to "World Champion" mountain dulcimer player. I also
recorded/engineered Lloyd's solo album "Northfield" which has some hot
playing on it.
http://www.geocities.com/lloydfrank/index.htm
http://www.geocities.com/pickinwright/products.htm
A few years back I had a hoot recording a dulcimer "orchestra", with ten
plus mountain dulcimer, and three hammered dulcimers, going at once. (that
would have hurt Kate's ears, for sure!) 
I think it is still going strong he
http://www.houstondulcimer.com/CD.htm
Have also recorded many Celtic/Irish groups with hammered dulcimers, and was
privileged to have worked with some of the best.
The dulcimer is a real "peoples" instrument. Margaret Wright used to bring
inner city kids into the studio that she had taught to play. Make the hair
on the back of your neck stand up and bring tears to your eyes to see such
joy and 'passion of music' in the eyes of these underprivileged children.
Peace to you, Bro ...