Album Notes

This recording started out as a simple gift for a friend but quickly took on a life of its own. Due to popular demand, Christmas Carols on an Ozark Guitar is finally available on CD.

The instrument used on this recording was built by one of the last homesteaders of the Ozark Mountains. Ed Stilley of Hogscald Hollar, cut down trees from his land, then nailed and glued them together. It's fitted with a saw blade pinned by coil springs, welding-rod frets, a couple of door springs and a steak bone nut & saddle sitting on two stacks of dimes. All told, the guitar weighs a good 30 lbs!

All this metal and spring inside the guitar creates a mysterious reverb that Ed describes as the voice of God. Ed has made over 150 instruments and given them all away to children in response to a 'calling'.

Kelly Mulhollan is best known as a multi-instrumentalist with the folk duo Still on the Hill. The arrangements are simple but charming and very fitting for this rustic instrument.