David LaMotte

Speaker • Author • Musician

David LaMotte

Abraham Jam: making the case that harmony > unity

Jun 1, 2018
  A Muslim, a Jew, and a Christian walk into a recording studio… It’s no joke. Actually, it’s the musical project that is capturing most of my energy and imagination these days.  My long-time friend Billy Jonas, who is Jewish, and my dear friend Dawud Wharnsby, who is Muslim, and me, a Quakerterian Christian, have […]

Abraham Jam: making the case that harmony > unity

by David LaMotte

  A Muslim, a Jew, and a Christian walk into a recording studio… It’s no joke. Actually, it’s the musical project that is capturing most of my energy and imagination these days.  My long-time friend Billy Jonas, who is Jewish, and my dear friend Dawud Wharnsby, who is Muslim, and me, a Quakerterian Christian, have […]

King’s relevance today

Feb 4, 2018
The folks at the Black Mountain News asked if I would offer some thoughts on the relevance of Martin Luther King’s teaching and legacy to today’s circumstance.  This is the article they published on January 31, in advance of the town’s  MLK Breakfast on Feb. 10. Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. came to prominence in […]

King’s relevance today

by David LaMotte

The folks at the Black Mountain News asked if I would offer some thoughts on the relevance of Martin Luther King’s teaching and legacy to today’s circumstance.  This is the article they published on January 31, in advance of the town’s  MLK Breakfast on Feb. 10. Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. came to prominence in […]

My TEDx talk

Jan 9, 2018
Hi friends, My TEDx talk has just been released, and I’m happy that I can finally share it with folks who weren’t there. Check it out, and let me know what you think…

My TEDx talk

by David LaMotte

Hi friends, My TEDx talk has just been released, and I’m happy that I can finally share it with folks who weren’t there. Check it out, and let me know what you think…

In the news: Songwriter and writer David LaMotte to speak at Longwood, March 28

Mar 17, 2017
The full article is available here… March 17, 2017 Songwriter, author and peace activist David LaMotte will speak Tuesday, March 28, at 7 p.m. in Longwood University’s Wygal Auditorium on “Worldchanging 101: Challenging the Myth of Powerlessness.” The title of LaMotte’s talk is drawn from his most recent book, which is being used as a […]

In the news: Songwriter and writer David LaMotte to speak at Longwood, March 28

by David LaMotte

The full article is available here… March 17, 2017 Songwriter, author and peace activist David LaMotte will speak Tuesday, March 28, at 7 p.m. in Longwood University’s Wygal Auditorium on “Worldchanging 101: Challenging the Myth of Powerlessness.” The title of LaMotte’s talk is drawn from his most recent book, which is being used as a […]

Nailing stuff to my house…

Jan 18, 2017
I have learned to pay attention to the words, “Somebody oughta…” It is universally acknowledged that the United States is at a particularly divisive point in our history. Not, as some have said, the most divisive (try the early sixties or the Civil or Revolutionary wars), but definitely a hard time. It’s leaving me wondering […]

Nailing stuff to my house…

by David LaMotte

I have learned to pay attention to the words, “Somebody oughta…” It is universally acknowledged that the United States is at a particularly divisive point in our history. Not, as some have said, the most divisive (try the early sixties or the Civil or Revolutionary wars), but definitely a hard time. It’s leaving me wondering […]

Wrapping up my Nobel work…

Jan 17, 2017
Thanks to the Black Mountain News and Asheville Citizen-Times for deeming this story worth their time, attention, paper and ink… Local resident and internationally acclaimed musician David LaMotte in November completed his sixth and final year on the American Friends Service Committee’s Nobel Peace Prize nominating committee. As he describes it, the experience has been […]

Wrapping up my Nobel work…

by David LaMotte

Thanks to the Black Mountain News and Asheville Citizen-Times for deeming this story worth their time, attention, paper and ink… Local resident and internationally acclaimed musician David LaMotte in November completed his sixth and final year on the American Friends Service Committee’s Nobel Peace Prize nominating committee. As he describes it, the experience has been […]

The KKK has announced a march. How do we respond?

Dec 2, 2016
On November 10, 2016, The Loyal White Knights of Pelham, a North Carolina branch of the Ku Klux Klan, announced a “Victory Klavalkade Klan Parade” to take place on Dec. 3rd, 2016.  The stated purpose of the march is to celebrate Donald Trump’s victory and the sense of validation they have gained from it. As […]

The KKK has announced a march. How do we respond?

by David LaMotte

On November 10, 2016, The Loyal White Knights of Pelham, a North Carolina branch of the Ku Klux Klan, announced a “Victory Klavalkade Klan Parade” to take place on Dec. 3rd, 2016.  The stated purpose of the march is to celebrate Donald Trump’s victory and the sense of validation they have gained from it. As […]

An update on PEG Partners’ work in Guatemala

Nov 29, 2016
PEG Partners, the organization that Deanna and I founded in 2004 to work with schools and libraries in Guatemala, turned 12-years-old this year.  Here’s a bit of an update about the work we’re doing there.     If you’re inclined to join us in this work, you can learn more or make a donation by […]

An update on PEG Partners’ work in Guatemala

by David LaMotte

PEG Partners, the organization that Deanna and I founded in 2004 to work with schools and libraries in Guatemala, turned 12-years-old this year.  Here’s a bit of an update about the work we’re doing there.     If you’re inclined to join us in this work, you can learn more or make a donation by […]

Football or Marriage? What does ‘politics’ mean?

Oct 31, 2016
A couple of weeks ago, Deanna and I watched the third presidential debate on my laptop in the living room, and then went to bed feeling pretty discouraged. We weren’t saddened because we think we are going to ‘lose’. We were just feeling the darkness of our current national political process, and the damage that […]

Football or Marriage? What does ‘politics’ mean?

by David LaMotte

A couple of weeks ago, Deanna and I watched the third presidential debate on my laptop in the living room, and then went to bed feeling pretty discouraged. We weren’t saddened because we think we are going to ‘lose’. We were just feeling the darkness of our current national political process, and the damage that […]

Home from Alaska, my 50th state

Oct 14, 2016
On Monday night I returned to North Carolina from a ten-day run of events in California and Alaska.  It was a wonderful trip, and even had some downtime in it, which is not always the case in my crazy schedule.  

It also marked my fiftieth state to perform in professionally.  Having offered concerts in Anchorage […]

Home from Alaska, my 50th state

by David LaMotte

On Monday night I returned to North Carolina from a ten-day run of events in California and Alaska.  It was a wonderful trip, and even had some downtime in it, which is not always the case in my crazy schedule.  

It also marked my fiftieth state to perform in professionally.  Having offered concerts in Anchorage […]

New CD debuts at #8 on the Folk-DJ charts!

Oct 4, 2016
Greetings from Anchorage, Alaska, where tonight I’ll play a concert in my fiftieth state.  Great fun to be here, to play music for folks, to see some old friends, make some new ones, and if all goes according to plan, to go visit a glacier tomorrow and get in a bit of a hike before […]

New CD debuts at #8 on the Folk-DJ charts!

by David LaMotte

Greetings from Anchorage, Alaska, where tonight I’ll play a concert in my fiftieth state.  Great fun to be here, to play music for folks, to see some old friends, make some new ones, and if all goes according to plan, to go visit a glacier tomorrow and get in a bit of a hike before […]

Hospitality in my digital living room

Sep 20, 2016
In my line of work, I get to move through a lot of different spaces. Not only geographically, but socio-economically as well. I spend time with folks who are quite wealthy, and folks who are extremely poor, people of various skin tones, political persuasions, identities, nationalities, orientations, abilities, and challenges. I treasure that, and I […]

Hospitality in my digital living room

by David LaMotte

In my line of work, I get to move through a lot of different spaces. Not only geographically, but socio-economically as well. I spend time with folks who are quite wealthy, and folks who are extremely poor, people of various skin tones, political persuasions, identities, nationalities, orientations, abilities, and challenges. I treasure that, and I […]

Rapid River: David LaMotte celebrates 25 years with ‘The Other Way Around’

Aug 17, 2016
Rapid River Magazine published this article about David’s new album and the release concert that will launch it: Internationally known Black Mountain songwriter David LaMotte celebrates 25 years as a professional musician with the release of a new album, The Other Way Around. LaMotte and a large backing band will mark the occasion with a Release […]

Rapid River: David LaMotte celebrates 25 years with ‘The Other Way Around’

by David LaMotte

Rapid River Magazine published this article about David’s new album and the release concert that will launch it: Internationally known Black Mountain songwriter David LaMotte celebrates 25 years as a professional musician with the release of a new album, The Other Way Around. LaMotte and a large backing band will mark the occasion with a Release […]

Music and silence

Aug 9, 2016
Among the most powerful experiences I have had at live concerts is one of silence rather than music. Occasionally, a song, usually in a minor key, arrives with such power, conviction, and depth that when it ends, no one is willing to break the silence. The last notes linger until they fade, and a long […]

Music and silence

by David LaMotte

Among the most powerful experiences I have had at live concerts is one of silence rather than music. Occasionally, a song, usually in a minor key, arrives with such power, conviction, and depth that when it ends, no one is willing to break the silence. The last notes linger until they fade, and a long […]

Retreat almost sold out

Aug 1, 2016
Only a few places remain for the Chanigng Your World retreat in Montreat, NC August 19-21. If you would like to join us, we would love to have you. To get a sense of what the weekend will be about, check out the video below, and for more information on costs, logistics, etc., click here. […]

Retreat almost sold out

by David LaMotte

Only a few places remain for the Chanigng Your World retreat in Montreat, NC August 19-21. If you would like to join us, we would love to have you. To get a sense of what the weekend will be about, check out the video below, and for more information on costs, logistics, etc., click here. […]

Thank you!!! New album fully funded…

Jul 6, 2016
I am overwhelmed and moved by the support that folks have shown for my new CD project, The Other Way Around, which was fully funded by a Kickstarter campaign in which 468 people, from all over the world, chipped in to raise over $41,000 in exchange for various rewards, to make it happen. The new […]

Thank you!!! New album fully funded…

by David LaMotte

I am overwhelmed and moved by the support that folks have shown for my new CD project, The Other Way Around, which was fully funded by a Kickstarter campaign in which 468 people, from all over the world, chipped in to raise over $41,000 in exchange for various rewards, to make it happen. The new […]

Kickstarting the new CD

May 14, 2016
Wow!! It’s Day four of the Kickstarter effort to make my first abum in ten years.  There are twelve songs on it, none of which I have recorded before, and there are musicians from all over the world playing on the record. Literally. Every inhabited continent is represented. Kickstarter is a cool website that invites […]

Kickstarting the new CD

by David LaMotte

Wow!! It’s Day four of the Kickstarter effort to make my first abum in ten years.  There are twelve songs on it, none of which I have recorded before, and there are musicians from all over the world playing on the record. Literally. Every inhabited continent is represented. Kickstarter is a cool website that invites […]

A Poem: “Creation”

Mar 18, 2016
This morning I woke up at Ferncliff, a beautiful gathering space just west of Little Rock, Arkansas.  In a few hours, retreat participants will arrive and we will spend a weekend together, exploring where we are from, where we are now, where we would like to go, and how best to get there. And, of […]

A Poem: “Creation”

by David LaMotte

This morning I woke up at Ferncliff, a beautiful gathering space just west of Little Rock, Arkansas.  In a few hours, retreat participants will arrive and we will spend a weekend together, exploring where we are from, where we are now, where we would like to go, and how best to get there. And, of […]

Happy anniversary Rosa

Dec 1, 2015
  Sixty years ago today, Rosa Parks was arrested for the first (but not last) time. We often tell the story of her famous arrest with so much of the story carved away that it almost ceases to be a true accounting, and sometimes we include a few outright falsehoods. Mrs. Parks was unquestionably a […]

Happy anniversary Rosa

by David LaMotte

  Sixty years ago today, Rosa Parks was arrested for the first (but not last) time. We often tell the story of her famous arrest with so much of the story carved away that it almost ceases to be a true accounting, and sometimes we include a few outright falsehoods. Mrs. Parks was unquestionably a […]

Two upcoming retreats — rest, renewal, discernment and community

Nov 19, 2015
“David LaMotte is a very good partner in this important work both for our world and for the human soul.” — Richard Rohr, author of The Naked Now, and Falling Upward David has two retreats on the calendar for the Spring—a weekend retreat in Little Rock in March, and an eight-day retreat with Gareth Higgins in […]

Two upcoming retreats — rest, renewal, discernment and community

by David LaMotte

“David LaMotte is a very good partner in this important work both for our world and for the human soul.” — Richard Rohr, author of The Naked Now, and Falling Upward David has two retreats on the calendar for the Spring—a weekend retreat in Little Rock in March, and an eight-day retreat with Gareth Higgins in […]

With a little help from my friends…

Oct 20, 2015
I’m feeling the need to pinch myself from time to time these days. Music has given me so many gifts, and some of the best ones involve relationships. The truth is that it’s pretty cool to hang out with people I like and admire, and kind of mind blowing when they are also great, and […]

With a little help from my friends…

by David LaMotte

I’m feeling the need to pinch myself from time to time these days. Music has given me so many gifts, and some of the best ones involve relationships. The truth is that it’s pretty cool to hang out with people I like and admire, and kind of mind blowing when they are also great, and […]

One Southerner’s Thoughts on the Rebel Flag

Jul 10, 2015
Today the rebel flag will be removed from the Capitol grounds of South Carolina. The South Carolina House and Senate, by overwhelming majorities in both houses, voted to take it down this week, and Governor Haley signed the bill yesterday. I’m a Southerner. My father’s father’s father’s father was one Thomas Jefferson Talley LaMotte, who […]

One Southerner’s Thoughts on the Rebel Flag

by David LaMotte

Today the rebel flag will be removed from the Capitol grounds of South Carolina. The South Carolina House and Senate, by overwhelming majorities in both houses, voted to take it down this week, and Governor Haley signed the bill yesterday. I’m a Southerner. My father’s father’s father’s father was one Thomas Jefferson Talley LaMotte, who […]

Eight places left at my retreat — want to come?

Jun 11, 2015
I have been invited by others to lead retreats and conferences in many states and on several continents for many years, but I have never before designed my own event so that I can give people who come for the weekend the richest and most wonderful experience I can come up with. Until now. This […]

Eight places left at my retreat — want to come?

by David LaMotte

I have been invited by others to lead retreats and conferences in many states and on several continents for many years, but I have never before designed my own event so that I can give people who come for the weekend the richest and most wonderful experience I can come up with. Until now. This […]

Box Sets back in stock

May 14, 2015
After a bit of time revising and updating the content on the USB box sets, we are happy to report that they are back in stock. These digital box sets contain… well, pretty much everything I’ve ever done.  High quality MP3 versions of all eleven CDs (including liner notes, and my very first recording, Barefoot, […]

Box Sets back in stock

by David LaMotte

After a bit of time revising and updating the content on the USB box sets, we are happy to report that they are back in stock. These digital box sets contain… well, pretty much everything I’ve ever done.  High quality MP3 versions of all eleven CDs (including liner notes, and my very first recording, Barefoot, […]

The Three Davids Ride Again!

May 14, 2015
We had so much fun at our sold-out show in Asheville in February that we were all eager to book another one — but where to play next? Clearly, what we needed was a concert promoter named David. Happily, concert promoter David Sardinha is the curator of a wonderful concert series in Cary, North Carolina, an […]

The Three Davids Ride Again!

by David LaMotte

We had so much fun at our sold-out show in Asheville in February that we were all eager to book another one — but where to play next? Clearly, what we needed was a concert promoter named David. Happily, concert promoter David Sardinha is the curator of a wonderful concert series in Cary, North Carolina, an […]

Rosa Parks’ OTHER arrest—Feb. 22, 1956

Feb 20, 2015
Almost no one knows about the second time Rosa Parks was arrested, and that context changes her story significantly. ... Read More →

Rosa Parks’ OTHER arrest—Feb. 22, 1956

by David LaMotte

Almost no one knows about the second time Rosa Parks was arrested, and that context changes her story significantly. … Read More →

The Three Davids @ Diana Wortham

Jan 29, 2015
I don’t know when I’ve been as excited about a concert as I am about this one. Last summer I was boarding a flight to Asheville from Atlanta, coming home from a show somewhere, when I spotted a familiar hat in the crowd boarding the plane.  I made my way over to greet my friend […]

The Three Davids @ Diana Wortham

by David LaMotte

I don’t know when I’ve been as excited about a concert as I am about this one. Last summer I was boarding a flight to Asheville from Atlanta, coming home from a show somewhere, when I spotted a familiar hat in the crowd boarding the plane.  I made my way over to greet my friend […]

Free Live Webcast of release party!

Oct 11, 2014
Here’s great last-minute news! For those of you who can’t join us in person on Oct. 12, 2014 at the White Horse, Black Mountain, to celebrate the release of my new book, Worldchanging 101: Challenging the Myth of Powerlessness, we will now be live streaming the event via ConcertWindow.com.  I’ll be playing a few songs […]

Free Live Webcast of release party!

by David LaMotte

Here’s great last-minute news! For those of you who can’t join us in person on Oct. 12, 2014 at the White Horse, Black Mountain, to celebrate the release of my new book, Worldchanging 101: Challenging the Myth of Powerlessness, we will now be live streaming the event via ConcertWindow.com.  I’ll be playing a few songs […]

Celebrating the new book!

Aug 28, 2014
I don’t think I’ve felt this excited, anxious and anticipatory since Mason was born! After four and a half years of writing, and a fairly intense year of editing, design and layout, my new book, Worldchanging 101, is in the proverbial oven, and about to be picked up by the proverbial stork (which has 18 […]

Celebrating the new book!

by David LaMotte

I don’t think I’ve felt this excited, anxious and anticipatory since Mason was born! After four and a half years of writing, and a fairly intense year of editing, design and layout, my new book, Worldchanging 101, is in the proverbial oven, and about to be picked up by the proverbial stork (which has 18 […]

How to Clean Dirty Water with a Guitar

Aug 28, 2014
My newest guitar is a Taylor Holden Village GS Mini.  I love it for lots of reasons, not the least of which is where it came from — and where it’s going.  This little instrument is doing a lot of good in the world, and that good is not limited to the music being played […]

How to Clean Dirty Water with a Guitar

by David LaMotte

My newest guitar is a Taylor Holden Village GS Mini.  I love it for lots of reasons, not the least of which is where it came from — and where it’s going.  This little instrument is doing a lot of good in the world, and that good is not limited to the music being played […]

What I Learned From Pete Seeger

Jan 28, 2014
It’s late Monday night and I’m staying up by the wood stove trying to catch up on some work.  Or at least I was. My plans for the night just changed.  A few minutes ago I received a note from my friend Laura saying that Pete Seeger left us about an hour ago.  Apparently the […]

What I Learned From Pete Seeger

by David LaMotte

It’s late Monday night and I’m staying up by the wood stove trying to catch up on some work.  Or at least I was. My plans for the night just changed.  A few minutes ago I received a note from my friend Laura saying that Pete Seeger left us about an hour ago.  Apparently the […]

Study Songwriting with David

Jan 15, 2014
Just call me Perfesser. In March and April I will be teaching a one-credit class on songwriting for Lenoir-Rhyne’s Master’s in Writing program. Though I’ve taught many songwriting classes over the years, this is the first at a graduate level, and I’m tremendously excited about it.  It’s also open to the public. The course will […]

Study Songwriting with David

by David LaMotte

Just call me Perfesser. In March and April I will be teaching a one-credit class on songwriting for Lenoir-Rhyne’s Master’s in Writing program. Though I’ve taught many songwriting classes over the years, this is the first at a graduate level, and I’m tremendously excited about it.  It’s also open to the public. The course will […]

How It Happens (coming to your town)

Jan 13, 2014
My life has changed quite radically in the last five years, beginning with my son Mason’s birth, then moving to Australia to study as a Rotary World Peace Fellow, doing field work in India, working for the NC Council of Churches, beginning work on the AFSC’s Nobel Peace Prize Nominating Task Group, publishing one book (White […]

How It Happens (coming to your town)

by David LaMotte

My life has changed quite radically in the last five years, beginning with my son Mason’s birth, then moving to Australia to study as a Rotary World Peace Fellow, doing field work in India, working for the NC Council of Churches, beginning work on the AFSC’s Nobel Peace Prize Nominating Task Group, publishing one book (White […]

Peace Is Not Placidity (Part 1 of 3)

Jan 12, 2014
This article is part one of a three-part series called How We Get Peace Wrong. Having just come through the holiday season and launched a new year here in the United States, we have heard the word ‘peace’ a great deal lately. We have wished it to each other on greeting cards and sung it […]

Peace Is Not Placidity (Part 1 of 3)

by David LaMotte

This article is part one of a three-part series called How We Get Peace Wrong. Having just come through the holiday season and launched a new year here in the United States, we have heard the word ‘peace’ a great deal lately. We have wished it to each other on greeting cards and sung it […]

Not the same Auld Lang Syne

Jan 10, 2014
On New Year’s Eve, ringing in 2014, I was invited to play a few songs as part of a show organized by friend BJ Leiderman (of NPR theme song fame) at the White Horse in Black Mountain, NC. It was a fun night, with a broad variety of music and even some poetry. Mostly it […]

Not the same Auld Lang Syne

by David LaMotte

On New Year’s Eve, ringing in 2014, I was invited to play a few songs as part of a show organized by friend BJ Leiderman (of NPR theme song fame) at the White Horse in Black Mountain, NC. It was a fun night, with a broad variety of music and even some poetry. Mostly it […]

They’re here! They’re here! They’re here!

Nov 6, 2013
UPS brought the new ‘Best Of David LaMotte’ CDs to the door last night after dark (it was a long, impatient wait!), and today we will be mailing them out. We’re really excited about the new record around here.  It contains fourteen songs, including new versions of some older songs with talented guest musicians joining […]

They’re here! They’re here! They’re here!

by David LaMotte

UPS brought the new ‘Best Of David LaMotte’ CDs to the door last night after dark (it was a long, impatient wait!), and today we will be mailing them out. We’re really excited about the new record around here.  It contains fourteen songs, including new versions of some older songs with talented guest musicians joining […]