Nestled around the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia, MountainSong Instruments draws from the unique talents and perspectives of master woodworkers and luthiers Bill Lunstrum and Larry Cochran, focusing on handcrafted guitars and mandolins. “The union between Larry and I started in 2000 when I went to work for him at his custom cabinet/millwork shop,” stated Bill Lunstrum of MountainSong Instruments. “Soon we found our shared love of woodworking and bluegrass music and it inspired us to build a pair of F-5 mandolins followed by two Martin M-style guitars – one in mahogany and one in rosewood. The next guitar was a Herringbone Dreadnought in Indian Rosewood.”
MountainSong Instrument’s latest offering is a special instrument – a Brazilian Rosewood Adirondack Spruce replica of a 1937 D-28 Martin. After the guitar demo, Keith Dill a multi-instrumentalist for 35 years and currently a member of the bluegrass group “Patent Pending” stated, “This is the best guitar I’ve ever played. It’s a very special guitar”
“We are excited to bring our love and knowledge of woodworking, access to unique lumber and eye for detail to this new venture,” stated Larry Cochran of MountainSong Instruments. “We are looking forward to specializing in a very unique niche market and on top-quality custom-made instruments.” MountainSong Instruments specializes in unique and custom-made guitars and mandolins. Bill and Larry have a combined 75 years of experience in fine woodworking and instrument building. Their access to quality lumber and perspectives on handcrafted instruments give them a unique position in the marketplace. Their website at http://www.mountainsonginstruments.com launched in the Summer of 2012.
The Faithful Four is made up of the following band members:
John Bruce on banjo guitar, lead and baritone vocals. John is from Loudoun County, Virginia, and is the newest member of the band. He is a very talented musician, and a great addition to the group.
Don “Jazzy” Jackson, on upright bass, and bass vocals. Don has been a valued member of the group for about 3 years. He lives in Loudoun County, Virginia. He is also the current champion of the Faithful Four beard contest.
Larry Cochran on lead and rhythm guitar, as well as lead, tenor, baritone and bass vocals. Larry owns a lumber company and lives in Loudoun County, Virginia. Larry grew up on a farm in Bluemont, Virginia singing the old hymns in church and with his family. He can hear all of the vocal parts and helps the rest of us get it right.
Bill Lunstrum on mandolin and guitar, as well as lead, tenor and baritone vocals. Bill and Larry are the founding members of the Faithful Four and have been making music for the Lord since 2000. They are both talented woodworkers and artisans, and build mandolins and guitars together.
The Faithful Four currently plays several appearances per month at various churches and assisted living facilities.