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Profile GeneratorBing Futch has been playing Appalachian mountain dulcimer since 1985 and is one of the most high-profile performers of this uniquely American instrument today. Devotees of CCM (Contemporary Christian Music) may recognize him as a founding member of techno-punk trio CRAZED BUNNYZ, which enjoyed moderate success in the underground music scene with college radio and international airplay in the mid to late 80's. In 1999, he founded Americana band MOHAVE , a free-wheeling, good-timing collective of musicians that has performed at numerous festivals and county fairs, played to audiences at venues such as Hard Rock Live Orlando and the House Of Blues at Walt Disney World, and opened for national acts MOLLY HATCHET, SUBJECT TO CHANGE, WRONG and THE CRESTS, all while keeping the dulcimer front and center.
Over the years, he has also worked steadily as a composer of music for film, television, theater, commercials and themed attractions. In 1997, he served as composer and musical director of "Jungle Book: The Musical", which ran for 67 shows in Orlando. He also composed music for The Castle of Miracles at Give Kids The World Village in Kissimmee, Florida.
As a solo performer, Bing displays the same high-energy performances and engaging audience interaction that infuses every MOHAVE show. His original songs are rooted within international folk music, mixing African and Native American rhythms and melodies, blues, bluegrass, funk, jazz, Dixieland, Celtic, country/western, middle eastern and latin influences with original rock and pop grooves. Keeping one foot firmly planted on traditional music soil, Bing explores exciting new territory with the dulcimer; from acoustic explorations to fully electric soundscapes.
Named "2006 Songwriter of the Year" by the Songwriters Showcases of America with a 2007 award for "Song of the Year" ("Crazy Feels Like"), Bing writes and sings tunes that defy comparison due to their genre-hopping nature and rollercoaster approach to subject matter. His clear and expressive tenor vocals alternately whisper and wail from smooth, soulful depths to powerful high harmonies, all wrapped in imaginative arrangements that are as unique as they are catchy and memorable.
After discovering the mountain dulcimer in 1985 while working in parking control at Knott's Berry Farm theme park in California, he quickly transferred to the Dulcimer Shop, which was owned by Bud and Donna Ford. Twenty years of experimenting, practicing, recording and performing went by before he finally got plugged into the mountain dulcimer community. It was an out-of-the-blue phone call from renowned dulcimer player and instructor Stephen Seifert that encouraged him to bring his unique approach into the national dulcimer scene. Since then, Bing has emerged on the festival circuit as a one-of-a-kind performer and an innovative teacher of the instrument.
Bing has performed and taught at a number of festivals including Jerry Rockwell's SEODfest, and Dulcimore in Ohio, the 24th and 25th Annual Mountain Music Festivals in Manitou Springs, Colorado; 25th Annual Kentucky Music Week in Bardstown; the Nutmeg Dulcimer Festival in Hamden, Connecticut and the NGFDA Fall Festival at Unicoi State Park in Helen, Georgia. In 2007, at the 33rd Annual Roscoe Village Dulcimer Days, he placed first in the Vocal Contest and first in the Mountain Dulcimer Duets contest (along with Mike Oliver) while garnering a second-place win in the Open Dulcimer competition.
In August of 2007, Bing became part of MANITOU , an all-star "folk-fusion" group which includes Dave Batti, Robert Force, Bud Ford III, Judy Piazza, Quintin Stephens and Roger Zimish. Their album, "In The Garden", which was recorded in Colorado in the Garden of the Gods, will be released in spring of 2008. Another new endeavor, Bing began playing Native American Flute in November of '07 and is already incorporating it into his music. Eventually, plans for the ironically named UNTITLED BING FUTCH PROJECT involve a world-groove ensemble that will present music of the new tribes as a back-to-basics soundtrack for the 21st century.
View Bing Futch's Electronic Press Kit
