Meet the Fine Tuned Musicians
The Blue Ridge Music Trails’ Fine Tuned project is a mentorship and collaboration-based project aimed at professional development for emerging artists playing traditional music in Western North Carolina. David Lamotte served as mentor to Benjamin Barker for their Fine Tuned journey. David brought his ability to connect through lyrics and relationships to share with Benjamin’s immense technical skills and expressive musicality.
Benjamin Barker grew up and lives in Wilkesboro, NC. He plays hammered dulcimer and harp, and in 2021, he won the National Hammered Dulcimer Championship. Ben describes his music as a folk/classical hybrid, and he has spent time learning from Joshua Messick, Frank Voltz, and the Kruger Brothers. When asked why he plays music, Ben replied, “I play music because I love it, and I want to share love, hope, and healing with others.” Of his time working with mentor David LaMotte, Benjamin’s favorite part “was getting to work up close with an excellent example of a professional musician.”
David LaMotte lives in Montreat, NC. He is a singer-songwriter who plays guitar and hand percussion. In addition to his music, which he considers acoustic singer/songwriter folk, David is an author and a speaker. Some of his most influential teachers and mentors include David Holt, David Wilcox, and John Paul Walters, and his biggest musical influences include James Taylor, Cat Stevens, Carole King, Jackson Browne, Michael Hedges, and Pierce Pettis. David says he plays music because “It’s the best way I’ve found to open hearts (including my own), connect people, and remind folks of our common humanity.” Of his mentee Benjamin Barker, David says “Benjamin is amazingly talented, deeply devoted to his craft, and wide open to stretching and innovating. It has been such a joy to create some music with him.”
