Music has always been a part of my life. In fact my first paid publication was a true story for Reader's Digest about how a piano magically appeared at our house when I was ten years old. It was delivered by a large moving van and sent to our family by an anonymous donor. The small card addressed to my mother simply said "You play beautifully and you should have the opportunity to teach your children." My mother occasionally played the piano at our church as a fill-in for choir rehearsals or children's events, and sometimes when the regular pianist was on vacation. That piano delivery was more than my introduction to music lessons, it was also an introduction to magic--the magic of giving and a love that asked nothing in return. The love of an anonymous donor to our family and the love of music my mother instilled in each of us was a blessing that will never be forgotten. I am not talented enough to do anything with music professionally, but I value the learning and still use my musical background for home and church. Today my primary music expression is singing in my church choir.
My husband, on the other hand, is a very talented guitar player. He is self taught and plays by ear. He has no problem sitting in on a session and picking up whatever the musicians are playing. He introduced me to the world of bluegrass, blues, and roots music in general. Our honeymoon was spent in Scotland and Ireland, often sitting in with session players for Celtic music. This is why my first contemporary books have music as an integral background to my heroine's lives. Some of my favorite Celtic and American roots music groups are below.
Misty River - If you like Americana music you'll love this all-female band. These talented women masterfully arrange their own material which includes award-winning original songs, traditionals and other favorite songs and tunes from many genres. Also, they are genuinely nice women and helped me with a great deal of research while writing the Sweetwater Canyon novels.
Misty Creek - Also from the Pacific Northwest, this band is a collaboration between three of the women from Misty River with two talented men. They concentrate more on the traditional sounds of bluegrass and old-time music.
Tony Furtado - After making a name for himself as a 19–year–old banjo prodigy, Furtado developed himself into an equally skillful slide guitarist. Later, he realized he had more to say than he could express in instrumentals alone, and has transformed again into a full–blown singer/songwriter.
Alison Krauss and Union Station - Pristine vocals and a great sense of humor, Alison Krauss has won more grammies than any woman in history. Alison Krauss and Union Station are one of the few bluegrass bands that have actually made it big. When you listen, they are magical and you can't help but fall in love.
Natalie McMaster - This Cape Breton fiddle player brings new sounds to traditional Scottish Celtic music and adds a dash of modern in some of her own compositions. Her fiddle mastery expresses itself in a fine fury and an elegant sensitivity to melody, mood, and rhythm. I saw her in concert at Niagara Falls on New Years Eve in 2001 and I've watched for her ever since. What a talent!
Lunasa - This Irish quintet is Ireland's finest all-instrumental traditional band. Theirs trademark mix of drive and intricate layering provides a listening experience that mixes traditional reels, ballads, and jigs with unstoppered, hard-charging energy and even a few hijinks. In many medleys, at least one instrument intentionally veers off the melodic spine, adding adventure and surprise to the overall impact. I first heard Lunasa in Letterkenny while on our honeymoon in Ireland. They'd only been together two years then and they have grown even better with each subsequent year.
Keb Mo - A grammy winner in 2004 for contemporary blues. I fell in love with this blues man the moment I heard him. He sings of peace and freedom, love and tragedy, and has an amazing sense of humor through it all. He came to Portland for our summer blues festival that helps the Oregon Food Bank. If you've never heard him, pick up an album. You won't be sorry. One of my favorite song lines? "You don't have to shave yo legs for me." From his album "Keep it Simple."