|  | | Bing Futch | |  Bing Futch has been playing Appalachian mountain dulcimer since 1986 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, St. Somewhere, 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 mountain dulcimer and Native American Flute; from acoustic explorations to fully electric soundscapes. His videos on YouTube have been seen by over 100,000 unique viewers and his ratings place him consistently in the top ten for the mountain dulcimer category.
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.
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 Of The Gods", which was recorded live in Colorado in the Garden of the Gods, was released late in summer of 2008.
In 2009, Bing released the first in a series of play-along music books. "Mountain Dulcimer In The Band: Books 1, 2, 3 and 4" feature eight CD's together with four books of music that allow dulcimer players and other musicians to learn and play tunes with a full band backup.
In 2009, Bing began endorsing Folkcraft Instruments, makers of the mountain dulcimers that he has been using to perform and record for over 15 years.
See more information about Bing at his website, www.BingFutch.com.
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