The Atlas Obscura Podcast The Zither King of Missouri
7 snips
Oct 7, 2025 Discover how a small Missouri town became the world's zither capital and the rise of its 'zither king.' Meet Tommy Temerson, a passionate musician whose family tradition inspired him. Learn about the zither's unique playing style, where melody, rhythm, and bass come together. Explore the origins of this instrument in southern Germany, and follow the incredible journey of Franz Schwarzer, who transformed furniture making into zither production. Despite its decline, the local zither community thrives, continuing to celebrate this unique musical legacy.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Zoom Began With A Live Zither
- Johanna Mayer unexpectedly met zither player Tommy Temerson over Zoom and heard the instrument live during the interview.
- That moment revealed Washington, Missouri hosts the world's biggest zither festival and hooked her into the story.
Family Roots Sparked A Career
- Tommy Temerson grew up in a zither family and resisted practice until his father took him to a zither orchestra.
- Seeing mostly girls in the ensemble motivated him to practice two hours daily and pursue a performance career.
Zither Is A Multi-Voice Instrument
- The zither demands simultaneous melody, rhythm, and bass, making it a rare multitasking instrument.
- Tommy compares it to playing three guitars at once, requiring independent fingers to manage distinct parts.