One Man, Many Mandolins

    Mandolin virtuoso Tony Williamson. . .sure can play, and what he doesn't  know about mandolins, nobody does.   This is how the Acoustic Musician magazine (Nov 1995) described Tony Williamson performing on and talking about his host of rare and vintage American mandolins.  The mandolin and the other mandolin family instruments (which include the mandola, mandocello and mandobass) are the subjects of the  The Sound of the American Mandolin, a one-man show which features Tony Williamson and his mandolin collection.  This entertaining show examines one of Americas favorite musical instruments through performances and discussion, has been performed at venues all throughout United States, and is now available on the videocassette The Sound of the American Mandolin featuring Tony Williamson    Williamson can also be heard on many CD releases, including Across the Grain (PSD-005) and All For Naught (MCP-0001).   Across the Grain, which was recorded by Tim Austin of Doobie Shea Studios, features original material and arrangements with supporting musicians including Jerry Douglas, Robbie Link, Don Mercz, Craig Smith, Scott Huffman and Jason Carter.  All For Naught  features solo mandolin, mandola, mandocello and guitar. 

Bringing the Mandolin Back to the Forefront of American Music
    During the turn-of-the-century America, the mandolin experienced a popularity that can be described as a rage  or a craze.   This once beloved instrument was nearly forgotten as the acoustic and electric guitars dominated popular music from the 1950s until the present.  The mandolin, however,  has now made a dramatic comeback nearly 100 years later. 
    Tony Williamsons The Sound of the American Mandolin makes a strong case for this comeback, as his playing delights audiences and his discussions inform and entertain.  As a logical offshoot of his work at Mandolin Central, one of the leading resources for vintage musical instruments, Tony began presenting his personal tour of great mandolins in 1994.