McSpadden Mountain Dulcimer Demonstration with Duane Porterfield

Join award-winning musician and craftsman Duane Porterfield for a special demonstration celebrating one of Arkansas’s most beloved musical traditions: the McSpadden Mountain Dulcimer.

Presented by Mountain View’s renowned Dulcimer Shoppe, honored at the 2025 Governor’s Arts Awards, this Front Porch Stage experience offers a window into the artistry, history, and enduring appeal of the mountain dulcimer. Family-owned and operated for generations in the Folk Music Capital of the World, the Dulcimer Shoppe has introduced handcrafted McSpadden dulcimers to musicians across the globe while helping preserve Arkansas’s rich folk music heritage.

A former Kansas and Arkansas State Old-Time Banjo Champion and a state, regional, and national mountain dulcimer champion, Duane Porterfield brings decades of musical knowledge and storytelling to the stage. Since retiring from a 32-year career in law enforcement and relocating to Mountain View, Duane has become an active ambassador for the region’s traditional music culture. When he’s not performing or teaching workshops, he can often be found at the Dulcimer Shoppe working alongside the luthiers who craft the iconic McSpadden dulcimers.

Whether you’re a longtime player, an aspiring musician, or simply curious about this distinctive instrument, this demonstration offers a chance to hear the dulcimer’s unmistakable voice, learn about its construction, and explore the stories that connect Arkansas’s musical past to its living traditions today.