Curations in
Bing Futch
Curations out
Who's taking you?
- Curation by: The Matrix
Who I Am & Where I Live
- Name: Bing Futch
- City: Orlando, FL
- Country: United States
My Life
-
Bio:
Using Appalachian mountain dulcimer, Native American flute, ukulele and a board full of stomp-boxes, Bing Futch celebrates traditional and modern Americana music with passion, humor and boundless energy. Known for his musical shape-shifting, Bing switches the channels on style and tone with every new song, from his roots-rock and blues originals to The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Disney covers.
As a nationally touring solo performer he's headlined at such events as The Walnut Valley Festival, The Florida Folk Festival, Old Songs Festival, Indiana Fiddlers Gathering, The Big Muddy and Common Ground On The Hill.
Bing has enjoyed a career as both folkie and rocker, first with post-punk act Crazed Bunnyz in 1986 and much later in 1999 as co-founder of Mohave on mountain dulcimer. That band, with bassist Mike Burney and drummer McGyver, made their debut performance at the House of Blues at Walt Disney World and would go on to open for Molly Hatchet, St. Somewhere and The Crests.
In 2006, Bing began performing solo at festivals and music venues across the country. Since then, he has recorded a number of albums and published several music-education books including the best-selling Blues Method For Mountain Dulcimer 101. In 2014, Bing won the Solo/Duo Artist award in the Central Florida Blues Challenge competition, earning a coveted entry into the 2015 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN, where he advanced to the semifinals. Several months later, Bing competed in the 2015 Central Florida Blues Challenge and won his category for the second year in a row, which led him back to Memphis to compete in the 2016 International Blues Challenge. There, he advanced all the way to the finals and was given the award for "Best Guitarist" in the Solo/Duo category, despite competing solely on the mountain dulcimer.
Bing's music has been featured in film, video, on stage and in exhibits at the Orlando Museum of Art. He was composer and musical director for "The Jungle Book: A Musical Adaptation" at Stage Left Theater in Orlando, Florida. He also contributed music to the soundtrack of The Castle of Miracles attraction at Give Kids The World Village in Kissimmee, Florida.
Traveling over 35,000 miles a year, in a 32’ Jayco Greyhawk named Marahute, Bing keeps a busy schedule of performances, workshops and production that includes shooting episodes of Dulcimerica, a video series on YouTube that’s been viewed by millions of people worldwide and is currently in its 12th year. When not on the road, he resides in Orlando, Florida with his wife, Jae, and a menagerie of rescued critters.
My Media
- Website: http://www.bingfutch.com
- Twitter: BingFutch
- Instagram: bing_futch
- Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/BingFutch
- YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCks7NDjl_5Qx8JeULP1fFqQ
Click to Listen on Spotify
- (album/podcast 1): http://open.spotify.com/album/0nEFTxHbqN00eKQOzdlUbG
- (album/podcast 2): http://open.spotify.com/album/0UxSjQxJPL5O3Jc3eAJzuB
- (album/podcast 3): http://open.spotify.com/album/19S7VKzx7kKwDvKSeIqWTL
- (album/podcast 4): http://open.spotify.com/album/23LKjn6w2klOJJURTypO9l
- (album/podcast 5): http://open.spotify.com/album/2JkMVfR17RpD5KNVaGFEzg
- (album/podcast 6): http://https://open.spotify.com/album/4mKZIaOZFU8jrLuzPk4aX0
Contact Information
- Email: bingfutch@yahoo.com
- Telephone: (407) 342-1447
-
Address:
P.O. Box 560727
Orlando, FL 32856
More
-
Quotes, Notes & Etc.
2016 International Blues Challenge Finalist Winner - "Best Guitarist (Solo/Duo)" Award
"A master of the mountain dulcimer" - Connections Magazine
"He plays the dulcimer like Jimi Hendrix. He has this ability to communicate a sensual energy when he's onstage" - Tom Shed, Florida Folk Festival organizer
"...a high-energy solo performer and frontman..." - Music Connection
"Musical Tabasco!" - The Orlando Weekly
My Instruction:
-
Lessons/Workshops:
Along with writing and performing music, Bing also teaches. Specializing in Appalachian mountain dulcimer, Native American flute, basic piano, ukulele and general music theory, he has been an instructor at numerous national festivals and events, teaching all skill levels and ages from 1st graders to retirees and all ages in between! Whether it's a one-on-one private lesson or presenting challenging concepts to dozens of gathered students, Bing's positive, encouraging and insightful teaching style has earned him world-wide acclaim as an excellent and patient teacher.
Bing not only teaches at festivals across the country, but also college campuses and anywhere there is a group of people ready to learn!
For those wanting more specialized and targeted study, one-on-one lessons are available both in-person and via the internet!
Bing visits schools and libraries with programs designed to educate and entertain. He also performs at historical re-enactments and faires. - Online Instruction: http://www.bingfutch.com/lessons
► The matrix originated as an extension of a record shop opened to divulge the little known music of the people of the Recôncavo and sertão of Bahia, Brazil (per this interview with David Dye for U.S. National Public Radio), along with other great Brazilian music. But in order to work for these people, the matrix has to work for artists everywhere.
