Local resident known world-wide for flutes

An Indian flute maker is quite the attraction in Lake Waccamaw. His handmade creations are sold around the world. His goal is to keep the Native American heritage alive.

It is the soothing sounds that Cherokee Indian flute maker Paul Wilson said can calm your nerves.

“You can have the worst day out of the week or month, the worst day at work, or stuck in traffic. It can put you in a whole other world, another zone.”, said Wilson.

Wilson loves to make Native American style flutes. His grandfather taught him at a young age.

“A lot of the tradition has gone by the wayside, so it’s up to guys like to me to keep it up, me and my family.”

It takes Wilson up to four days to fine tune his instruments. He said each one has its own character.

“Well the personality’s of the flute depends on the kind of wood that you use. The softer wood gives a more mellow tone…the hard woods give a higher pitch tone and playing the flute once you’re finished…it brings it to life… Nothing like it>

Wilson says, the Native American flute started out as a dating ritual. The smooth pitch signaled love was in the air.

Wison said, “The guy would make him a flute and go out to the edge of the woods and play the flute and he would try to lure the girls in and whoever played the flute the best got the gal.”

“The love flute” has turned into commercial success for Wilson. His instruments are sold all over the world, but money is not the reason Wilson makes Native American flutes.

“Well we do this just trying to keep the tradition up.”

Wilson’s flutes cost anywhere from fifteen dollars up to two-hundred dollars. If you’re interested, call 910-770-6969