Owner of The Smokey Mountain Dulcimer Works in Florida. He makes a wide range of beautiful hand made instruments from Dulcimers right through to Banjo's, Strum Sticks and Mandolins.
Blaine Horlocker learned the craft of making mountain instruments from his grandfather. As his grandfather taught him - his instruments are skillfully and lovingly crafted for quality sound and beauty.
Blaine was born and raised in Kentucky. This is where his inspiration as a craftsman and his love of music comes from.
He grew up as a kid listening to local musicians who would come over to their front room and bring their guitars, fiddles, mandolins - whatever they had that played a tune!
Craftsmanship and true Smokey Mountain authenticity is built into every instrument as standard - no mass production - every instrument is hand build by Blaine himself.
BLAINE'S STORY
I was born and raised in Kentucky.
While I was growing up there was always a shotgun, a banjo and guitar sitting in the corner of the room. Well I knew not to touch the shotgun but I could play the guitar or banjo.
I had two aunts that played in Nashville. My one aunt played banjo with Charlie Monroe. Her stage name was Katy Hill. My other aunt played the guitar and played with all the big stars of the day.
When I was growing up, most evenings we would have 10 to 15 people come over to our front room and bring their guitars, banjos and mandolins (and sometimes a fiddle). They would play way up in to the night. This is what inspired me to play, and later, to make my own musical instruments.
My grandpa gave me an old "K" guitar with a hole in it as big as your fist. I put body putty in it and learned to play on it. My Mom and Dad saw that I was learning so they took me to a small music store and bought me a Gibson B-25 Natural. I still have it.
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