I have been touched deeply during a performance by Circqu de
Soliel, listening to the "I Have A Dream" speech given by Dr.
Martin Luther King, readingthe words of Vietnamese monk Thich
Nhat Hanh or the medical intuitive and teacher Caroline Myss.
When I view the paintings of Frida Kahlo, Matisse, Van Gogh,
Magritte and many other artists, something changes
me and the way I see the world.
These experiences make me want to do more, be better,
work harder.
Music brings together the sound, the sight, the drama,
and most importantly, the emotion. Whether it is in the
melody or harmony, the combination of instruments, the
voice.....something happens when I listen to Joni
Mitchell sing about Michael from Mountains, or Peter,
Paul and Mary sing If I Had A Hammer, Kate Wolf's Emma
Rose, or Crosby, Stills and Nash singing Suite Judy Blue
Eyes, or for that matter Judy Collins singing Amazing
Grace! These are but a few of the musical performers who
have moved me toward my love of folk style music.
Actually, it was probably the time Barry Tolkien
(folklorist and ballad singer) visited my high school
choir class when I just knew I wanted to sing and play
folk music. It is the writing of the songs that I love.
The telling of stories with a simple tune, adding a
violin, cello, bass or Hammond B3, a few harmonies. It
is the creative process! The sharing and collaboration
with other artists! It is fun!
I want to mention some of the musicians and, especially,
the singer-songwriters I admire and who have inspired me
through the years: The Beatles (of course), PP &M, Buffy
Saint Marie, Donovan, Pete Seeger, Emmy Lou Harris, Joni
Mitchell, Kate Wolf, The Moody Blues, Neil Young and
CSNY, Sweet Honey and the Rock, Judy Collins, Loreena
McKennitt, Eliza Gilkyson, Rasa, and Dave Carter along
with all our wonderful house concert guests through the
years (click on House Concerts).
Since I (Donna) have been doing all the talking on this
page so far, please come back for a visit and learn more
about the musicians and artists Terry has loved and
gained his inspiration from. I promise his faves will be
from an entirely different area!
Back to Inspiration Main Page