Linda and Barry got their start when a hammered dulcimer maker who wanted an outlet for his dulcimers in their region approached them. They thought it would be fun to give it a try, and in June of 1995 they established their business, The Sweet Sounds Dulcimer House.
"We started our business very modestly, mainly to provide a source of supplies for our local dulcimer club members," explains Linda. "Our entire inventory could fit in one medium-size cardboard box!"
Soon they found that dulcimer folks always needed accessories, so they expanded to offer all the necessary items. They started exhibiting at their favorite dulcimer gatherings, setting up a booth to sell hammered and mountain dulcimer books, and recordings.
In 1996, the Evans' built a small shop adjacent to their residence to house their ever-expanding inventory. "We thought we had it made," commented Barry, "but we soon outgrew that shop". In 1999 they opened a new 810 square foot store at the corner of US Hwy 90 and West Lane, outside of Beaumont, Texas about 2 miles west of Major Drive.
"As far as we know," includes Linda, "we are unique because we are the only shop totally devoted to the mountain and hammered dulcimers in southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana."
Currently their inventory consists not only of hammered and mountain dulcimers, but also pick 'n sticks, bodhran drums, crystal flutes, pennywhistles and recorders, their own brand of strings, as well as strings from McSpadden, chromatic tuners and any other accessory imaginable. They also carry a large selection of CD's, instruction books and dulcimer cases. They have hammered dulcimers by David Lindsey and T. K. O'Brien, mountain dulcimers from McSpadden and their own brand of all wood starter instrument. 
Linda and Barry are always on the lookout for new items to add to their inventory. 

"We want to be as complete a one stop dulcimer and related item source as we can be."

            Barry & Linda Evans