Cathy Barton

by Don Stevens
Barton is a protege of Roy Acuff, Jimmie Driftwood and Grandpa Jones. A master of the frailing banjo style, she has twice won the Tennessee old-time banjo championship. She introduced the hammered dulcimer to the Walnut Valley festival at Winfield. She holds a masters degree in folklore. Dave, playing with old-time performers has developed a great repertoire of traditional songs and stories, and a fantastic stage presence, that carries over into their recordings. They have befriended many old time musicians, encouraging them to join in both performing and recording. Many of their recordings include other folk-legacy artists, Missouri old-time fiddlers and Bob Dyer (the Bard of Boonville). Cathy, Dave and Bob are currently working on a project of collecting and recording civil war songs from the midwest. Daves great six- and 12-string guitar work, coupled with Cathys banjo, dulcimer, and autonarp, and their fine harmony singing make these recordings a listening treasure.