Carrie Newcomer | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Background information | |
Born | Dowagiac, Michigan, United States | May 25, 1958
Genres | Folk, Americana, World music |
Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, musician, author |
Instrument(s) | Guitar, vocal, mountain dulcimer |
Years active | 1980–present |
Labels | Philo, Rounder, Concord Music Group, Available Light Records |
Website | Carrienewcomer.com |
Carrie Newcomer (born May 25, 1958) is an American singer, songwriter and author. [1] She has produced 19 solo CDs and has received numerous awards for her music and related charitable activities. She has collaborated with numerous authors, academics, philosophers and musicians. In 2009 and 2011 she traveled to India as a cultural ambassador, including musical performances organized by the US State Department. In 2012 she made a similar trip to Kenya on behalf of the Interfaith Hunger Initiative. Her range of causes, activities, collaborations and philosophies significantly influences her music. Newcomer was called "a prairie mystic" by the Boston Globe. [2]
Her first solo album was Visions and Dreams. [3] Visions and Dreams was originally released on Windchime records and then later re-released with two additional tracks by Rounder records.[ when? ] [4] Between 1993 and 2010, she released twelve additional albums and two "best of" compilations on Philo/Rounder. [5] Her range of causes, activities, collaborations and philosophies significantly influences her music. [6] She released four solo albums and one live album on Available Light Records. [7]
Her album Betty's Diner: The Best of Carrie Newcomer was released in 2004. It contained three new songs, plus, "what's held up for me what songs have become old friends, and what songs are requested often". [8] The title track started out as a short story which Newcomer wrote while on the road, she then decided to incorporate the story into a song. [8]
In 2009 Newcomer traveled to India as a cultural ambassador for The American Center and worked with students of the American Embassy School in New Delhi. [9] While in India, Newcomer performed concerts organized by the U.S. State Department including those in the cities of Chennai & Trivandrum. After the first week in Delhi, she embarked on a tour schedule that included concerts and performance in the evenings and working with community service groups during the days. [10] [11]
In 2011 Newcomer returned to India as a cultural ambassador for The American Center and worked with students of the American Embassy School in New Delhi, the American School Bombay, and The International School Chennai. [9] While in India, Newcomer performed concerts organized by the U.S. State Department and visited community service projects and facilitated workshops. [10]
In 2011, following her 2011 trip to India, she released the album, Everything is Everywhere, on Available Light Records which featured Amjad Ali Khan and his sons, Amaan and Ayaan on traditional Indian instruments. The profits of "Everything is Everywhere" benefit Interfaith Hunger Initiative [10] [12] [13] In the article "Carrie Newcomer’s cool fusion of East and West hooks listeners" Firstpost (Mumbai, India) identified Amjad Ali Khan and his sons, Amaan and Ayaan as "three of the best sarod players in the world". [6] With the music in this collaboration album, Newcomer said that her objective was "to create songs that were based in western song form, but would integrate and preserve the power, depth and energy of Indian music. I did not want to create western songs, add a tabla and call it fusion." [6]
Kindred Spirits: A collection was released in November 2012. It includes two previously unreleased songs, two songs from her hunger benefit project (Everything is Everywhere) featuring Indian classical sarod performers Amjad Ali Khan, Ayaan and Amaan Ali Khan, two previously unreleased live recordings, and a compilation of other songs. [14]
Her CD A Permeable life was released in April 2014, as was her book of the same title. [14] [15] They do not have material in common, but Newcomer has indicated that the book shows some of the process and themes of her songwriting. [16] The theme of the CD has been characterized as: "Newcomer explores familiar themes of being present, moving through thresholds in life and embracing each experience that comes your way". [17]
Her Beautiful Not Yet album was released in 2016,with a companion book by the same name. Accorfing to Newcomer, this book and CD explore the themes of mystery and miracle in the everyday and the album is described by FolkWorks as "profound and poetic." [18]
Newcomer’s album Until Now was released in Sept 2021, with a companion book of the same title. This collection refers to the Covid pandemic as "the great unraveling" and addresses big questions for society's work in process, and that healing after the crisis is not enough. "We can’t just be healed, we must be transformed." [19] [20]
In more recent years her broadening into authoring books including poetry and philosophical works, and similar collaborations have represented a transformation into what sources have termed a "prairie mystic". [21] With the release of her latest album and companion book, one review summarized it as "Newcomer’s lyrics address the themes of living in challenging and changing times and finding hope in the patterns of nature and each other’s company. The lyrics are informed by Newcomer’s wider philosophical and spiritual thinking as well as her environmentalism and concerns for social justice." [21]
Newcomer has released three books of poetry, essays & short stories. 2014 A Permeable Life: Poems & Essays, [22] in 2016 The Beautiful Not Yet: Poems & Lyrics, [23] and in 2021 Until Now: New Poems. [19] Newcomer's poem Three Gratitudes was featured on the On Being PBS radio program first aired on November 26, 2014, along with an interview of Newcomer by Krista Tippett. [24] [25]
Since 2017 Newcomer has co-hosted The Growing Edge podcast with author Parker J. Palmer described as "exploring the themes of life on the growing edge personally, vocationally and politically". [20]
In 2012, Newcomer performed at various locations in rural Chulaimbo Kenya as a part of the Interfaith Hunger Initiative and at the AMPATH HIV center in Eldoret. [26] [27]
In December 2018, Spirituality and Health Magazine named Newcomer and Parker J. Palmer as two of 10 Spiritual Leaders for the Next 20 Years. [28]
In 2010, Rich Warren host of the Midnight Special radio program selected Carrie Newcomer as one of the 50 most significant singer-songwriters of folk music for the last 50 years. [29] Warren also selected her Geography of Light as one of his (13) favorite CDs for 2008. He said "Newcomer is philosopher, sage, mystic and poet with an alto voice that I would follow to the ends of the earth. She also finally reached the perfect balance of accompaniment/production with her voice. The thoroughly engrossing songs require several listenings to see all the light (and dark) within them. Newcomer improves with every CD and her poetry grows more complex and luminous." [30]
In 2008, Boston's WUMB radio station, included her on their list of the Top Most Influential Artists of the past 25 years. [31] In 2010 Chicago's WBEZ radio and The Chicago Tribune included her on their list of Top 50 folk artists of the last 50 years. [31] In 2007, her album The Geography of Light received the Artist of the Year and Album of the Year awards from Folk Wax Magazine. In 2003 her Album "The Gathering of Spirits" also received the Artist of the Year and Album of the Year awards from Folk Wax Magazine. That year she wrote the national theme song for the YMCA [32] and collaborated with Scott Russell Sanders and folk songwriters Krista Detor, Tim Grimm, Michael White and Tom Roznoski on an album and theatrical production entitled Wilderness Plots. [33] The author, cast members and director of Wilderness Plots were honored by the Indiana House of Representatives and Senate in a joint resolution which described it as "a musical tribute to the early pioneer settlement of the Midwest and embodies the rich history and artistic excellence of the State of Indiana." [34] Wilderness Plots received a 2012 CINE award for the professional telecast non-fiction division. [35]
In 2003, Newcomer was named Woman of the Year by the City of Bloomington's Commission on the Status of Women. [36] "The 2003 Woman of the Year, Carrie Newcomer, is best known as a singer/songwriter; however, Jennifer Bass, nominator, says Newcomers significant contributions go beyond her music. Nine years ago Newcomer and her husband Robert Meitus organized Bloomingtons first Soup Bowl Benefit and they continue to assist with the benefit. What is less known is Carrie's dedication to community and her generous support of local and national organizations, said Bass. She has donated money from sales of her cds to the Nature Conservancy and she has participated in benefit concerts in St. Louis and Tucson." [36] Newcomer's "I Wish I May, I Wish I Might" was chosen as the official song of the two year Food For Thought campaign by The Indiana Humanities Department. [37] Newcomer added, "‘I Wish I May, I Wish I Might’ was inspired by the essays ‘Carnival" and "Bill and Bunny" by celebrated Indiana author, Philip Gulley." [37]
Rolling Stone magazine said that Newcomer's work "asks all the right questions and refuses to settle for easy answers". [38]
In 2016 Newcomer was presented an honorary degree by Goshen College in Music for Social Change. The same year she presented the commencement address for the Goshen College class of 2016. [39]
In 2003 her song "I Should Have Known Better" was recorded by Nickel Creek on their Grammy-Winning Best Contemporary Folk Album "This Side". [10]
Newcomer has collaborated with a range of musicians in performances and recordings. She also has collaborated on performances, presentations and efforts with authors, academics, activists, and organizations.
Newcomer has collaborated with author Parker J. Palmer on a number of projects including a song-and-spoken-word event called Healing the Heart of Democracy: A Gathering of Spirits for the Common Good and We Need it Here: Hope, Hard Times and Human Possibility. In 2017 Newcomer and Palmer created a collaboration called The Growing Edge which includes retreats and The Growing Edge podacst.
In 1989, she wrote Sounds of the Morning for The Battle of Tippecanoe Outdoor Drama, about the land conflict between Tecumseh and William Henry Harrison. Her song was played as a prologue and as patrons left the amphitheater. Her music was woven into the NEA-funded sound design by theatre sound designer Richard K. Thomas. [40]
Newcomer collaborated with author Parker J. Palmer to create the presentation "Healing the Heart of Democracy." [41] [42]
"Transforming Stories" was a presentation by Newcomer and Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor a neuroanatomist and author of the book My Stroke of Insight. [43] [44]
Newcomer also collaborated with authors Scott Russell Sanders, Philip Gulley and J. Brent Bill for the PBS special Festival of Friends: An Offering in 4 Quaker Voices. [45]
Newcomer has collaborated with Jim Wallis. [46] Jim Wallis is the author of the New York Times best-selling book God's Politics: Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn't Get It, [46]
Newcomer has toured the United States, Europe, Africa and India including performances with Alison Krauss, Mary Chapin Carpenter, [47] American singer-songwriter David Wilcox in shows based on spiritual story, Amjad Ali Khan, Barbara Kingsolver, Parker J. Palmer, Jill Bolte Taylor, Scott Russell Sanders and Philip Gulley. [48] [49]
In September 2012, the collaboration An Evening of Reflection, Conversation & Song: Taylor, Newcomer, and Sasso was hosted by the Athenaeum Foundation. It included Newcomer, Sandy Sasso and Jill Bolte Taylor with the objective of providing stories and music exploring the ideas in Parker J. Palmer's book "Healing the Heart of Democracy' for those in search of ideas on how to "Reclaim our capacity for civility and community". [50]
Her albums also contain collaborations with a range of other musicians.
Newcomer is a member of the National Advisory board of the Beuchner institute of King college. [51]
Newcomer gives a percentage of her album sales to charitable organizations including the Interfaith Hunger Initiative American Friends Service Committee, America's Second Harvest, The Center for Courage and Renewal, and Literacy Volunteers of America. [52]
Newcomer was born in Dowagiac, Michigan on May 25, 1958 [56] to James B. Newcomer and Donna Baldoni Newcomer. When she was 5 years old they moved to Elkhart, Indiana where she lived until she was 18 years old. [57] She began writing songs as a teenager and began performing in restaurants, coffeehouses and at benefits and festivals. [58] She began her university studies at Ball State University and then Goshen College. Newcomer spent 5 months teaching art in an elementary school in San Isidro, Costa Rica. She completed her studies at Purdue University and received a B.A. in visual art and education.
In the 1980s, Newcomer was a member of the pop-folk and acoustic group Stone Soup [4] [59] which produced three albums: Sampler [1982], Long Fields [1984], and October Nights [1987], all now out of print. Newcomer was the group's main songwriter and lead vocalist and she also played dulcimer and guitar. [4] The group was based in West Lafayette, IN. After leaving Stone Soup, she moved to Bloomington, Indiana, and recorded her first solo album.
Though she was raised in a Protestant-Methodist Church, she is now a Quaker. [60] She is married to Robert Shannon Meitus, an entertainment and intellectual property lawyer. [61] When she met him he was a guitar player and songwriter in the band Dorkestra. She has a daughter. [8] Newcomer's musical development, approach and themes have been influenced by her evolution in spiritual, philosophical and humanitarian areas and endeavors. [10]
Christine Lavin is a New York City-based singer-songwriter and promoter of contemporary folk music. She has recorded numerous solo albums, and has also recorded with other female folk artists under the name Four Bitchin' Babes. She is known for her sense of humor, which is expressed in both her music and her onstage performances. Many of her songs alternate between comedy and emotional reflections on romance.
Nanci Caroline Griffith was an American singer, guitarist, and songwriter. She appeared many times on the PBS music program Austin City Limits starting in 1985. In 1994 she won a Grammy Award for the album Other Voices, Other Rooms.
Dorothy Snowden "Dar" Williams is an American pop folk singer-songwriter from Mount Kisco, New York. Hendrik Hertzberg of The New Yorker has described Williams as "one of America's very best singer-songwriters."
Kathleen Margaret Edwards is a Canadian singer-songwriter and musician. Her 2002 debut album, Failer, contained the singles "Six O'Clock News" and "Hockey Skates". Her next two albums – Back to Me and Asking for Flowers – both made the Billboard 200 list and reached the top 10 of Billboard's Top Heatseekers chart. In 2012, Edwards' fourth studio album, Voyageur, became Edwards' first album to crack the top 100 and top 40 in the U.S., peaking at #39 on the U.S. Billboard 200 and #2 in Canada. In 2012, Edwards' song "A Soft Place To Land" won the SOCAN Songwriting Prize, an annual competition that honours the best song written and released by 'emerging' songwriters over the past year, as voted by the public. Her musical sound has been compared to Suzanne Vega meets Neil Young.
Jean Redpath MBE was a Scottish folk singer.
Laura Pauline Veirs is an American singer-songwriter based in Portland, Oregon. She is known for her folk/alternative country records and live performances as well as her collaboration with Neko Case and k.d. lang on the case/lang/veirs project. Veirs has written a children's book and hosts a podcast about parenting and performing.
Sufjan Stevens is an American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. He has released ten solo studio albums and multiple collaborative albums with other artists. Stevens has received Grammy and Academy Award nominations.
Carrie Marie Underwood is an American singer. She rose to prominence after winning the fourth season of American Idol in 2005. Underwood's single "Inside Your Heaven" made her the first country artist to debut atop the Billboard Hot 100 chart and the only solo country artist in the 2000s to have a number-one song on the Hot 100. Her debut album, Some Hearts (2005), was bolstered by the successful crossover singles "Jesus, Take the Wheel" and "Before He Cheats", becoming the best-selling solo female debut album in country music history. She won three Grammy Awards for the album, including Best New Artist. The next studio album, Carnival Ride (2007) had one of the biggest opening weeks of all time by a female artist and won two Grammy Awards. Her third studio album, Play On (2009), produced the single "Cowboy Casanova", which had one of the biggest single-week upward movements on the Hot 100.
Amanda MacKinnon Palmer is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and performance artist who is the lead vocalist, pianist, and lyricist of the duo the Dresden Dolls. She performs as a solo artist and was also a member of the duo Evelyn Evelyn and the lead singer and songwriter of Amanda Palmer and the Grand Theft Orchestra. She has gained a cult fanbase and was one of the first musical artists to popularize the use of crowdfunding websites.
Gloria Gaither is a Christian singer-songwriter, author, speaker, editor, and academic. She is married to Bill Gaither and together they have written more than 700 songs. In 2000, ASCAP named them Christian Songwriters of the Century. She performed, traveled and recorded with the Bill Gaither Trio from 1965 through 1991. Since 1991, she has served as a performer, recording artist, songwriter, scriptwriter and narrator for the Gaither Homecoming series of television broadcasts, video and DVD releases, and audio recordings.
Jill Barber is a Canadian singer-songwriter. Originally associated with the folk-pop genre, she has performed vocal jazz and pop music on her more recent albums.
Jessica "Jesca" Ada Hoop is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist, who writes and performs in diverse musical styles. She has released six studio albums of her own, as well as live, acoustic and dual albums with others.
Jenn Lindsay is an American social scientist, adjunct professor of Sociology and Communications, documentary filmmaker, video journalist and singer-songwriter currently based in Rome, Italy. Her work focuses on the exploration of social diversity, community building, personal transformation, and social change movements.
Pieta Brown is a critically acclaimed American artist, musician, producer, multi-instrumentalist, and singer-songwriter who has released eight albums and five EPs. She has performed with artists such as Mark Knopfler, John Prine, Amos Lee, Justin Vernon and Calexico. Although she's considered a folk/indie singer-songwriter, Brown also names country blues and jazz as strong influences on her musical style.
Sophie Hunger is a Swiss singer-songwriter, film composer, multi-instrumentalist and bandleader, currently living in Berlin.
Krista Detor is a singer-songwriter and pianist from Bloomington, Indiana whose music has been featured on NPR and with Mike Harding on the BBC.
Carrie Elkin, is a folk/country singer and musician based out of Austin, Texas. Active since the mid-1990s, she signed with Red House Records in September 2010.
Philo Records was founded in 1973 by half-brothers Michael Couture and Bill Schubart to record and distribute folk and traditional music. Over the course of its nine-year history, before its sale to Rounder Records in 1982, Philo produced roughly 100 albums of folk, traditional, and later, jazz, world, and new music from a converted barn-studio in North Ferrisburg, Vermont. Philo's allure to many established and emerging artists was its policy of giving them full control over their productions and repertoire.
Lynne Hanson is a Canadian singer-songwriter based in Ottawa, Ontario who has released eight solo albums and has toured internationally.
Linda Lowe is a poet, singer-songwriter producer, recording artist and the founder of Writers in the Round Concert Series, a community sponsored, non-profit performing arts organization dedicated to connecting and mentoring creative writers and musicians. She has recorded seven albums of original music on her Rollin’ Records label including a duet album with Steve Gillette entitled "So Far Apart" produced by her husband, Karl Caillouet. Her songs "Let Her Go Gently" “Amber Eyes" and "Someday I’ll Be a Bluebird" are used in hospices and funerals across the country. She is currently working at The Red Shack studio with Rock Romano in Houston, Texas mixing two new albums of original music entitled "Barbwire Heart" and "Lucid Dreamer". She is the author of the "Little by Little" production, a musical presented at Main Street Theater in 1996 and again in 2017 with Xavier Educational Academy students in the Rice University Village. She and her daughter, Michelle Caillouet began the Music and Drama department for Xavier Educational Academy in West University Place, Texas where they continue to teach. For 10 years Writers in the round presented their concert series at Hamman Hall with Linda hosting and directing each show. Writers in the round will celebrate their 30-year anniversary in the 2019–2020 season at Main Street Theater in Rice University Village where they began in 1990. Linda's archives are currently being collected and preserved for her contribution to Texas Music at Rice University's Woodson Research Center and Texas State University's Texas Music History Department.