How far back shall we go? Let’s start in first grade. Let’s face it: these two kids didn’t stand a chance of hooking up. He, a sweet, country boy. She, a not-so-sweet urban dweller. They lived very different lives for the better part of thirty years. Then came Alaska. Both made the journey, purposefully and expectantly. Looking for adventure and something “different.”
Their lives collided in mid-air, over the Palmer flats, just 90 minutes north of Anchorage. Dalton and Joy met while skydiving in 1991. Though not on the same load, they boarded the same, gorgeous DC-3 aircraft. They were both eliminated from the cool load and settled for jumping with one another on a not-so-cool four way. Though their fall rates didn’t match, a great friendship developed and though an unlikely pair–she a somewhat liberal vegetarian, he a meat-eating military stud–they found a lot to talk about over the next four years. After a whole lot of circumstances (if you want the long version, just ask) they were married in 1995 at a beautiful home overlooking Westchester Lagoon in Anchorage, Alaska.
Life, God, kids, trials, career changes, and a whole lot of fun have followed the pair, now a happy foursome living in Colorado Springs. After leaving their beloved Alaska, the family moved to Kentucky for several years. They were bitten by the Bluegrass music bug. Dalton first, followed by Joy. He’s invested in a few Martins and is now moving on to Mandolins, first with a Michael Kelley and now adding a Weber Custom. Joy’s got a big, doghouse bass–an Englehardt, ES1. Logan has been captivated by the piano. He loves it and is doing awesome, but has found the mandolin can be fun, too. Wyatt is taking fiddle lessons, and is working on “Boil Them Cabbage Down.”
The family will begin performing as “The Hollerers” – the inspiration being the “Holler” of Dalton’s lovely wife, Joy, heard over a banjo solo at a festival while chastising the oldest son. Now, that’s impressive being heard over a banjo from such a distance at an outdoor festival. You go girl!
