About

John Whitacre studied violin in North Canton schools and in private lessons and played in school orchestras, the Canton Youth Symphony, and the Tuscarawas Philharmonic Orchestra. He learned guitar through lessons and self-teaching and taught himself mandolin and mountain dulcimer based on his experience with the other instruments. He studied music theory for two years in school and has continued its study on his own over the years. John has played Celtic music since 1989 with Dennis Kempthorne and with many other people. He and Dennis performed in 1989-90 with three other musicians as the Tightly Wound String Band and reformed that group as a duo in 2002. They play for dances, festivals, and private parties.

Dennis Kempthorne began playing music in fourth-grade music class and played throughout high school. Dennis had a reawakening in the 1980’s and fell in love with the traditional Celtic and old-time tunes and has been playing them ever since. His love for the music took him to music festivals, and he got to know and play with many wonderful muscians who were steeped in the tradition.”He became silly with it.” Dennis’ background was in choral music, having directed several choirs over the years and playing in the low brass section in several concert bands. John and Dennis met in 1989 at a Quail Hollow State Park music session and have been playing together since. They have had the pleasure of playing at music festivals, dances, school programs, open air concerts and private events.