Album Notes

Connie and Bill have been performing for 71 years. Some of those were concurrent and the last few have even been together. They found a common voice in traditional music where Connie's banjomer, a hybrid of Appalachian dulcimer and banjo, adds a melodic accents to Bill's Carter style flat picking. But the big attraction for Connie was Bill's ability to croon those old jazz standards and willingness to back off on guitar or banjo to allow a dulcimer lead. Even more amazing, Connie has been willing to provide string bass accompaniment to Bill's banjo and kazoo extravaganzas! It must be love. Then there's Connie's originals. Connie writes songs with traditional roots that weave stories of the past with a fresh, witty perspective. A panel at Folk Alliance including Gene Shay and Nancy White proclaimed her songs 'Charming'. 'A fresh voice in the Americana genre'. Lately Bill's experience with children's concerts and sea songs has influenced her work. They are working on a first CD of originals, traditional songs, and old standards. Bill Dempsey and Connie Allen have appeared at the San Diego Folk Festival 2000, Claremont Spring Folk Festival, Live Oak Children's Stage, Dana Point Tall Ships Festival, Harvest Festival of Dulcimers, Poway Train Song Festival as well as various libraries, historical site and schools. Bill is a full time music teacher and both conduct workshops, practice groups, and write educational material for their respective instruments. Performing is only part of the picture. They play and teach with the hope of inspiring music in everyone. As SDFH's Phyllis Grodzitsky said of their act, "Connie and Bill have a rare ability to reach an audience and have them on the inside of the musical experience"