Donna's Musical Inspiration

To be inspired makes life worth living!

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!


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