PUDDINGSTONE'S HISTORY

Puddingstone began as a duo when David and Mike, former Lenoir High School Band percussionists, discovered some time after high school that each had learned a new instrument; David had picked up hammered dulcimer, and Mike had learned to play the harp.  They began playing together for their own enjoyment, would occasionally play for their dinner in local restaurants, then were asked to play for a few weddings.     

When Nancy was asked to join them in 1985, she would take the melody on flute freeing David and Mike to play countermelodies and to develop the unusual chord structure that defines the Puddingstone sound.  During this period of time, David and Nancy learned to play a variety of ancient instruments which added many musical colors to the developing trio.  

Glen Heffner became involved with the group in 1987, playing a variety of synthesized sounds on the keyboard.  With a music degree and experience with rock bands, Glen added to the broadening base of musical styles.  Glen also used his abilities as a recording engineer in recording Puddingstone's first three recordings:  Whistles, Strings and Things, Christmas Pudding and Light of Love.

Denise Baxter-Yoder joined the group in 1989 after hearing David's interest in adding the element of "story" that a vocalist brings to instrumental music.  Her voice blends beautifully with the many folk instruments played.  She also plays a variety of hand percussion instruments when coerced, and enjoys playing the recorder.

When Glen left the group in 1994, Greg Knight joined to play keyboards in early 1995, and played with Puddingstone until 1999.  He left many musical gifts with Puddingstone, one of which was his solo arrangement of "I Wonder As I Wonder" on the Christmas Past CD.

Larry Hipps also joined the group in 1995, adding his warm guitar, bass and lute sounds to Puddingstone's arrangements.  One of his many musical gifts to Puddingstone was his solo arrangement of "The Frog Galliard" performed on lute on the For Our Children CD.  We struggled to accept Larry's passing.  We miss his music, his accepting attitude and his easy friendship.

In Loving Memory

October 20, 1959-April 14, 2000

The group created two more recordings with the addition of Greg and Larry:  Christmas Past and For Our Children.

Alice Barlow joined Puddingstone in Spring of 1999 playing keyboards, Paul Holt joined the group in Summer of 2000 playing guitar and bass, and Doug Stringham joined the group in 2002 playing fiddle, guitar and bass. 

In April of 2003, Nancy decided to leave the group, feeling the need to spend more time with her children and to explore her interests in weaving and spinning. We feel very fortunate to have found Suzanne Williams who now plays woodwinds with the group. Doug decided to leave the group in 2005. Patrick Crouch now helps us out when we need a string player or additional guitar.

The group currently consists of David Abernethy, Mike Willis, Denise Baxter-Yoder, Alice Barlow, Paul Holt, and Suzanne Williams.