Sometimes a really talented person can get lost in the background behind other very talented performers, and Gary Walters has certainly dealt with some of that. Gary frequently accompanies the amazing Carrie Newcomer (and others), and although Carrie gladly shares the limelight with him, it took an explicit announcement by Carrie at one of their concerts to alert me of Gary's other work, including his newest album, The COVID Sessions. In addition to his powerful accompaniment with folk musician Carrie, Gary's chops & flavors include jazz, classical, & much more. Gary Walters calls Indianapolis, Indiana, his home.
Past/present religious/spiritual influences: Evangelical Christian Upbringing, Lutheran, Henry Nouwen, Non-affiliated
Jan Spencer is guest-host today for the fifth time, sharing an episode of Creating A Preferred Future which takes a look at an unexpected topic. In Jan upcoming new book, A Primer For Paradigm Shift, he has found a new friend in the City of Eugene, Oregon's Strategic Planning Goals. Today's show is a contraction of a longer written essay which explains how paradigm shift and the strategic city planning goals are made for each other. Just add an historic leap in social, economic and ecological consciousness.
Guest-host Peterson Toscano of Citizen's Climate Radio is sitting in today for Spirit In Action, sharing climate info through a True Crime lens, in the 8th and final installation of a series called Hot Mess. The episode includes a round-table discussion with conservatives actively shaping climate policy, including Bob Inglis, a former Republican Congressman, Chelsea Henderson of EcoRight Speaks, and Katie Zakrzewski & and Zach Torpie, hosts of Green Tea Party Radio.
James Schattauer has a long history of music in the Twin Cities, MN, area, and though his songs are wide and deep in variety, topic, and nature, much of his music career was as a children's musician, under the name Mister Jim (here's some of his kid-centric music). He shared some of those songs in his 2007 interview, but today he's bringing us deeply spiritual songs, including from kirtan and other Eastern influences, all from his album, One. A deep ground of heart-open, arms-wide, spirit shines through his music and life, living side-to-side with his healing arts practices of massage, Reiki, and Soul Song readings.
The podcast, SmallTownBigGays, (also available on YouTube) is produced weekly by Travis Gorell and Chance Smith, originating from Eau Claire, WI, and sharing the reality, the strengths, and the beauty of queer folks in places most often ignored or discounted. Travis also performs regularly in drag around the Chippewa Valley as Khloe Wold as one of many Dolls of the Valley. The podcast and this interview visit wide-ranging topics, including gay culture, religious connections, AIDS/HIV, body issues, and much more.
Past/present religious/spiritual influences: Lutheran, Catholic, Non-affiliated
Today we introduce you to a new-ish member of the wonderful crew of musicians of the Twin Cities of Minnesota, Emily Haavik. Emily brought down to the Cities some of the fruits of her time and connections in Duluth as part of Emily and the 35s, including many years with the Duluth Homegrown Music Festival. There are a variety of flavors of music channeled through Emily's music, and lately she's fond of the title glam country. Get ready for some glamming, some rocking, and some deeply moving music from Emily Haavik.
Past/present religious/spiritual influences: Evangelical Christian Upbringing, Lutheran, Henry Nouwen, Non-affiliated
With the passing last week of Joe Elder, a bright light for peace and justice and a dear friend and neighbor to so many has left us. We feel led to bring you again the interview we did with Joe 15 years ago, so that we can all hear Joe's voice once more. Back then, we told you that Joe Elder was the recipient on October 3rd, 2009, of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Wisconsin Network for Peace & Justice. Joe has traveled the world with quiet off-the-record messages and worked for peace from Vietnam to Sri Lanka. A University of Wisconsin professor of sociology and Asian studies, he has inspired thousands of students to broaden their horizons. Raised in Iran, son of Presbyterian missionaries, he was a CO in the Korean War and has been a Quaker since the 1950's. UW-Madison's International Academic Programs Department has declared May 11th "Joe Elder Day" for his 40 years of service to the India and Nepal programs.
Today for Song of the Soul we head to England for a visit with Hilary James. A couple weeks back we had a wonderful time with her partner, Simon James, with some of his songs including Hilary's beautiful voice and singing. Hilary's love of music is wide, and while much of it was part of the English folk club scene of the 1960s and 70s, her musical palate definitely included blues and other forms that we less commonly think of as folk music in the US. Hilary and Simon also did a bit of a deep dive into music for children as part of their journey. Also find her music on AcousticsRecords.co.uk.
Past/present religious/spiritual influences: Methodist, Agnostic, Yoga, Non-affiliated
More than a decade ago I interviewed Daniel Hunter about a book he had written, and when I saw the article he had written just before the November election called 10 Things To Do If Trump Wins, I knew it was something I needed to check out. After all, Daniel has done organizing and training in a number of settings, in the United States and abroad, preparing folks to effectively make this a better world. He's written several books, about climate resistance, ending racism, and a choose-your-adventure style book, called What Will You Do If Trump Wins, and remember to check out ChooseDemocracy.US.
Part 2 of our sampling of Kerrville New Folk winners who we've interviewed on NSR. Of the 24 Kerrville competitors we didn't feature last week, 7 of them were winners, so today we glance back at interviews with and music from Tom Neilson, Danny Schmidt, Anne Feeney, Jonathan Byrd, David Massengill, David Roth, and David Wilcox. Take a look at the incredible line-ups of the New Folk Stage at Kerrville since 1973.
Featured Music & Segments: