Gary Gallier
Gary Gallier, nationally recognized as a pioneer and innovator on the Mountain Dulcimer, is redefining not only how the instrument is played but also is expanding it’s musical realm. Including his brother Les Gallier, each won the title of National Champion at the Walnut Valley Festival by introducing two very unique playing styles. Gary flat picks melodies on all the strings, much like a guitarist, while Les, playing in a different tuning, slips on finger picks to produce surprisingly intricate passages. Among the various competitions held at Winfield, they have the distinction of being the only two brothers to ever win the title on the same instrument.
Another departure from the typical you can hear the influences, a hint of Blues, Rock and Jazz for a progressive edge, flavored with Classical and Celtic in smooth precision. Add a taste of Mountain styles and a true signature sound is created. Anyone familiar with the lap dulcimer would expect such an accomplished player to coax beautiful, flowing music from the instrument, and he does; but Gary has also shown that power and energy is well within reach. Their 1993 album “On the Wing” has been called “a landmark dulcimer album” and Russell Cook of Wood N’ Strings Records states ” definitely stands alone in the world of dulcimer music”. Further expressing the cutting edge of dulcimer music, their 2001 release “Craft of Kin” has been reviewed as having ” a powerful and highly original vision of where the dulcimer can go” ….”should inspire us well into the future.” A new release in 2016, the Gallier Brothers, "Archive" compiles 30 years of some of the Artist's favorite selections from 4 CDs, showcasing their original compositions.
For over 30 years, The Gallier Brothers have performed and taught at festivals across the country. From a review of their performance at the Iroquois Amphitheater, Louisville, Ky. for Kentucky Music Weekend. ” …the band was a healthy step away from traditional. Any purists in the audience were drowned out by thunderous applause and the boys were brought back for a bluesy encore” (Louisville Courier-Journal)