Subject: website


I just wanted to drop a line saying how much I like your website. The videos are excellent for both seeing the instruments, and more importantly, hearing the tone of the instruments. Excellent, excellent website!!

As soon as my wife says "yes", I'm going to place an order.

Thanks.

Lance

Greetings Lance,

Thanks so much for the kind words...and stay in touch...

Be sure to check out the other features of website below. Mickey

Subject: Thanks:)

Folk of the Woods (to whom it may concern):

This e-mail is not one of inquisition, not one of frustration, and not one
of ...well, perhaps I'll say what it's about. My name is Andrew DeMarco,
and I'm 20. I'm an suburbanite from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I grew up
gifted with an interested in linguistics and quantum physics, but always
turned away from music because it was something trendy and robbed students
of academic time. Well, I discovered the mandolin. I heard Chris Thile's
"In the House of Tom Bombadil" and declared at that very moment that I
will learn to play the mandolin. I did intensive research for a couple
weeks, using your site as a primary resource. A year later, after buying a
Fender FM-63S mandolin, a beginner 5-string banjo, and a novice uke (about
to buy an A style mando too) I find myself returning to your site for more
advanced information on mandolin playing. I just want to tell you that you
have performed a key role in a young man's life (that man being me) ...
playing music has transformed my life. I don't mean that in a cliche,
Christian miracle way, but in a reality "how I feel day-to-day" way... my
mandolin is my best friend. I feel obligated and honored to thank you
admins, information colectors, seasoned musicians, et cetera for the time
you've put into the website -- not because you've sent me some instrument
I've ordered on time, but because the hundreds of page of text on your
site have influenced me and gotten me through those hard times (I remember
the day after I bought my mando I was SO UPSET because the D chord was so
difficult to play (how the hell could my fingers hit the top and bottom
string on the /same/ fret?!) ... little did I know that it was to get much
more difficult and interesting;) .....ANYWAY!!! I'm just thanking you..
here with my mando strapped around my shoulder across my forearm.... she
thanks you, too. Real quickly, I'm an undergraduate student at Temple
University in Philadelphia.. my major is Greek and Roman Classics with a
focus on Linguistics... I love to get the word out about bluegrass music
and the mandolin! hundreds of college students have asked me "what is that
little guitar?" or say "play us a song on the ukelele" and i respond "it's
a mandolin, listen to this little tune and check it out." The delight I
get from playing it... the delight its sound brings others... it's
unexplainable... as musicians I'm sure you know what I'm talking about.
Thank you for helping me discover this huge part of life I would have
otherwise not known. Maybe this e-mail is silly or dramatic, but without
your website's information I surely would not have come this far on my
instrument.

Genuine thanks-- and keep up the good work and expansive website,
Andrew DeMarco

Greetings Andrew,

Thanks so much for your personal take on our website...sounds like you're well tuned to the acoustic philosophy too.

It's admirable that you're carrying forward the acoustic flag and be sure to get back with me if I can ever personally assist you on your acoustic journeys.

Hope to hear of your progress...so write again soon!

We'll be posting your sterling testimony on our website...Your submission is greatly appreciated.

Mickey

Subject: Long Live Acoustic Music!

Dear Mickey, James, Nathan, Tracy & Co.

I must say...this is the BEST acoustic music site/store I have ever encountered!
Being an avid web surfer, I was always on the lookout for great new sites that
featured bluegrass/vintage country/acoustic music and their instruments.


As cliched as it sounds, I am a singer/songwriter/guitarist who has played rock for
15+ years. I've always loved playing my acoustic guitar, but always preferred the amplified sounds. However, since the "O Brother" phenomenon/resurgence came about,
I have fallen completely back in love with acoustic sounds, and am totally going back to basics!

I discovered your site as I was looking for mandolins. I was researching Kentucky's KM-675 and your location came up in a Yahoo search. I must say, I was impressed from the get-go! Being a poor music therapy student, I ended up buying the mandolin from
another online company that offered "easy" credit.

I wished I had the funds or another credit card to purchase from FOTW, because I was sold on the "9 point inspection" and other guarantees. Knowing I could only afford an import, I was happy to hear that you guys set up each instrument as part of your service.
Although I bought from another, it was your detailed information (excellent pictures, movie clips, and FAQ's) that led me to make my purchase.

That was 2002.
Fast forward 2 years later...to the present day.
I graduated with my music therapy degree (East Carolina University), and am now
pursuing my Master's at the same school. I rely on acoustic instruments to do my
clinical practicums, and was again in the market for instruments.

One music degree and several jobs later, I am now finally able to make a cash purchase.
First stop...FOTW. I wanted to teach myself to play fiddle after watching the brilliant
film, "Songcatcher". That movie made me want to learn banjo as well!
Just two days ago I ordered a Cremona fiddle and a Deering Goodtime Special.
Tracy, Nathan, and James were super helpful in assisting me with any questions I had about my order. Tracy helped me with my fiddle and its shipping, James e-mailed me back immediately after I had asked a banjo upgrade question, and Nathan gave me great advice about Deering banjos!

I can't wait for my instruments to arrive. I agree with Mickey, acoustic music is healing for the soul. This is pure music therapy!
It was Mickey's great performances on the videos that helped me make my final decision.

Mickey, if you're reading this personally...you are great! You truly care about helping people, you're a great talent, and you have the greatest acoustic music store EVER.

I live in North Carolina, and I visit our Great Smokies every now and then, but
if I ever make it to the American Southwest, best believe I'm making a pit stop in New Mexico!


Mickey, just want you to know, you have inspired me more than you could ever realize. As amazing as this may sound, your perspective on pure acoustic instruments and music; along with your story on how you created FOTW from the ground up and how committed you are, has pretty much guaranteed that I will successfully finish my Master's program and next September, I'll be a licensed music therapist!
I have written a bunch of original acoustic tunes (bluegrass/alternative country) and
I can't wait to get out there and perform for people...to share the magic...the magic I felt when I first visited folkofthewood.com!  

Long live FOTW and God Bless you all,

Possibly your greatest fan ever,
Christian Enojado      


Greetings Christian,

Thanks so much for such a heartwarming testimonial! I'd have to say, we've had many send us very spirited testimonials over the years...but yours takes the trophy! And, it's obvious that you're truly in tune with our efforts and what we hope to project with our acoustic site. Please stay in touch with us and be sure to get with us on any future needs you may have...I'm at your disposal, if I can be, throughout your learning journey...keep on pickin' and bowin', Mickey

by the way, I also have arrived at the acoustic front via a rock background...it makes us more eclectic (so to speak)...Mickey