David Schnaufer Commemorative Issue

Remembering David Schnaufer

Updated Feb. 17, 2025

As we celebrated our 50th Anniversary and reflected on important players, builders, and events, the impact of David Schnaufer on the dulcimer community could not be overstated.

After Stephen Seifert put out a call for memories to be included in a feature story in 2024, it quickly became apparent that it would take more than just a few pages to truly capture David’s spirit and his lasting impact on the mountain dulcimer community.

So instead of one article, we have dedicated the February 2025 issue to David Schnaufer. All contributors and current subscribers (renewed before Feb. 16) will get a copy of the issue.

The issue is going to the printers today, Feb. 17, 2025. They take about 10 days to print and mail them; postal times vary. If you subscribed or renewed before Feb. 16, you will receive your copy directly from the printers.

If you haven’t received your issue by March 16, please contact harmony@dpnews.com so we can send you a replacement.

Anyone who subscribes after Feb. 15 will start their subscription with this issue while supplies last or until the next issue comes out. Magazines will be mailed out in batches every 7-10 days, after we receive our extra copies from the printers. We will post a notice if/when supplies run low.

If you aren’t sure of the status of your subscription, or if sent a memory or tribute but did not include your mailing address, please email harmony@dpnews.com.

We will also be selling an ad-free, hardcover, special edition version of the issue to raise money for the Dulcimers for David project, run by Debbie Porter. We are still finalizing the details, but we will post an update as soon as possible!

DPN Playlists:

Blackberry Jam

Rocky Alvey shared the story behind this tune in the Feb. 2025 issue, included in the first YouTube playlist to the left. Here are the lyrics:

Baby find a long sleeved shirt for me
Tie them dogs to the hick-ry nut tree
I’ll be in the hollar on the coal mine land
Pickin’ blackberries for the blackberry jam
Pick another bucket for the blackberry jam

I carry me a jar of bag balm salve
I’ll use a little of it if the chiggers get bad.
Rattlers a buzzin’ better watch your hand
Pickin’ blackberries for the blackberry jam
Pick another bucket for the blackberry jam

Bridge:
Granny’s puttin’ up some blackberry jam
Momma’s got a cobbler in a cast iron pan
None till supper she’ll slap yo’ hand
Nothin’ like some biscuits with some blackberry jam
Pass another biscuit with some blackberry jam.

Three in the bucket and one in the mouth
Sour one will make your head turn south
Pokeberries, son, kill a healthy man.
Pickin’ blackberries for the blackberry jam
Pick another bucket for the blackberry jam

Child done stepped on a red wasp nest
Tagged that boy on the back of his neck
Yelled like the devil then away he ran
Child needs a biscuit with some blackberry jam
Send him on home for some blackberry jam

Bridge:
Granny’s puttin’ up some blackberry jam
Momma’s got a cobbler in a cast iron pan
None till supper she’ll slap yo’ hand
Ain’t nothin’ like a biscuit with some blackberry jam
Pass another biscuit with some blackberry jam.

Come on boys, time to get with it
Stop foolin’ around get into the thicket
Try to keep up if you think you can
Gonna do a little pickin’ for the blackberry jam
Do a little pickin’ for the blackberry jam.