A Decade of Sacred Strings and Percussion
Karl has been playing music for over two decades. He was raised and worked in South Florida then spent six years working and playing Old Time Music in North Georgia traveling to the heart of the Appalachian Mountains. His love affair with music began when he plucked my first Fender electric guitar string at the tender age of eight.
Playing acoustic guitar for over a decade with his Christian Fellowship Group.
Psalm 150: “Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; praise Him with the lute and harp. Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes.” My music embodies these verses. Our Fellowship worshiped with eyes closed and hearts lifted.
Rav Vast Drum: In a hidden glade, I discovered the mystical sound of Rav Vast instruments. Made in Perm Russia, their metallic tongues sang of ancient forests and primal energies. Summer Reflections is my song was played on a Rav Vast Drum in D Major. The video takes you on a journey from forest to the sea with a glorious sunset. Produced in High Springs, Florida on June 3rd, 2023.
Digital Handpan Dreams: When technology met tradition, Karl embraced the Neotone Digital Handpan. Its ethereal tones bridged worlds—the old and the new. Karl looped melodies, layering harmonies like memories stacked upon memories. The handpan became his time machine, carrying him to forgotten epochs.
The Banjo’s Lament: Karl was inspired to play the banjo by Chuck Levy and Dutch Schultz of Gainesville, Florida. The banjo became a real passion for a number of years where 90+ banjo musicians would descend to Oleno State Park in High Springs, Florida for a weekend of fun and camping together at the Suwannee Banjo Camp. Come study 5-string banjo in gorgeous natural surroundings with some of today’s best players and teachers. The program features hands-on classes, demonstrations, and two big faculty concerts, and still leaves lots of time for jamming with your fellow banjo enthusiasts. Suwannee Banjo Camp offers four levels of serious instruction in clawhammer, old-time fingerpicking, and bluegrass banjo styles. They also offer full-time programs in old-time fiddle and bluegrass guitar.
Sweetwater Stringz: Karl’s family band, the Sweetwater Stringz, was a caravan of Old Time musicians. His daughter Danielle played the acoustic guitar and mandolin, his father Karl played the banjo, and his son Alex played the fiddle. Our friend Cathy Derickson played the hammer dulcimer, and Alan Stowell was exceptional musician on the acoustic guitar. Together we played for Old Time music events in High Springs, Florida. The Sweetwater Stringz songs etched into the Appalachian culture. Our band wove the threads of Old Time Music, each chord a bridge between generations.