Here is the lyric to a new song…. Read More →
Just One Candle
Here is the lyric to a new song.... Read More →
Blog
Two new videos
Here are a couple of new music videos from a guest spot I did at the White Horse Black Mountain a few months ago. Death Come A-Knockin’, or Travelin’ Shoes, is a traditional slave song from the days of the Underground Railroad. I learned it from Ruthie Foster in Texas years ago, but this is […]
Two new videos
Here are a couple of new music videos from a guest spot I did at the White Horse Black Mountain a few months ago. Death Come A-Knockin’, or Travelin’ Shoes, is a traditional slave song from the days of the Underground Railroad. I learned it from Ruthie Foster in Texas years ago, but this is […]
The Klan went home, the community stayed
In the end, the best defense against bigotry is forging communities that are strong enough to withstand it. Really knowing each other is the starting place for healing all of our wounds. Learning each other's stories and struggles leads to a broader sense of who 'us' is, and there is no victory over 'them' so complete, or so healing, or so effective, as welcoming them into 'us.' That is the radical subversion of fear by love.... Read More →
The Klan went home, the community stayed
In the end, the best defense against bigotry is forging communities that are strong enough to withstand it. Really knowing each other is the starting place for healing all of our wounds. Learning each other’s stories and struggles leads to a broader sense of who ‘us’ is, and there is no victory over ‘them’ so complete, or so healing, or so effective, as welcoming them into ‘us.’ That is the radical subversion of fear by love…. Read More →
Klansmen, Crips, Clowns, Memphis and Me
This Saturday the Ku Klux Klan is promising to have one of its largest rallies ever in Memphis, Tennessee. I’m headed there too. The Memphis park formerly known as Forrest Park, after Civil War general, slave trader and first Grand Wizard of the KKK Nathan Bedford Forrest, now bears the innocuous moniker “Health Sciences Park” […]
Klansmen, Crips, Clowns, Memphis and Me
This Saturday the Ku Klux Klan is promising to have one of its largest rallies ever in Memphis, Tennessee. I’m headed there too. The Memphis park formerly known as Forrest Park, after Civil War general, slave trader and first Grand Wizard of the KKK Nathan Bedford Forrest, now bears the innocuous moniker “Health Sciences Park” […]
Nobel Peace Prize nominating season…
The American Friends Service Committee has opened a call for suggested nominees for the Nobel Peace Prize, and you are invited to submit your suggestions between now and May 1, 2013 for the 2014 prize. ... Read More →
Nobel Peace Prize nominating season…
The American Friends Service Committee has opened a call for suggested nominees for the Nobel Peace Prize, and you are invited to submit your suggestions between now and May 1, 2013 for the 2014 prize. … Read More →
The Fifth Annual Freedom Ball
As Christmas approached last year, my thoughts were very much with my friend Ed Chapman. Ed spent nearly fifteen years in prison, thirteen of those on death row, wrongfully convicted. He was exonerated five years ago. Exoneration doesn’t involve any restitution or declaration of innocence, they just let you go. In Ed’s case, he had […]
The Fifth Annual Freedom Ball
As Christmas approached last year, my thoughts were very much with my friend Ed Chapman. Ed spent nearly fifteen years in prison, thirteen of those on death row, wrongfully convicted. He was exonerated five years ago. Exoneration doesn’t involve any restitution or declaration of innocence, they just let you go. In Ed’s case, he had […]
California Dreaming and Changing the World
The alarm rang at 4AM yesterday, and that’s early for just about everyone. On the West Coast that was 1AM. And just to sweeten the deal, Sunday is the time change for Daylight Savings. Sleep schmeep! Spending my adult life as a professional musician, I’ve probably seen 4AM on the end of my day much […]
California Dreaming and Changing the World
The alarm rang at 4AM yesterday, and that’s early for just about everyone. On the West Coast that was 1AM. And just to sweeten the deal, Sunday is the time change for Daylight Savings. Sleep schmeep! Spending my adult life as a professional musician, I’ve probably seen 4AM on the end of my day much […]
The Moon and the Miracle
The moon and the miracle Santee, SC January 28, 2013 And on other nights (one night before full, or one night after)
, the moon does not make me smile or remember a lover who once held all of my tension and attention I don’t think of children’s rhymes or giddy night rides with the headlights off […]
The Moon and the Miracle
The moon and the miracle Santee, SC January 28, 2013 And on other nights (one night before full, or one night after) , the moon does not make me smile or remember a lover who once held all of my tension and attention I don’t think of children’s rhymes or giddy night rides with the headlights off […]
News from Guatemala
Antigua, Guatemala 8AM Monday, Feb. 11, 2013 I’m waking up this morning in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala (also known as Xela), realizing that it has suddenly been a week since I arrived. The time is going quickly, and it has been a whirlwind. Here are a handful of highlights from the last week: Camino Seguro — After […]
News from Guatemala
Antigua, Guatemala 8AM Monday, Feb. 11, 2013 I’m waking up this morning in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala (also known as Xela), realizing that it has suddenly been a week since I arrived. The time is going quickly, and it has been a whirlwind. Here are a handful of highlights from the last week: Camino Seguro — After […]
A new song being born: Angelita
Antigua, Guatemala 8AM Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013 I wrote a song lyric yesterday that captures a bit of what I’m thinking and feeling on this particular trip to Guatemala, which must be about my tenth time here. I’m thinking about how the places we encounter literally become a part of us (and yes, I really […]
A new song being born: Angelita
Antigua, Guatemala 8AM Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013 I wrote a song lyric yesterday that captures a bit of what I’m thinking and feeling on this particular trip to Guatemala, which must be about my tenth time here. I’m thinking about how the places we encounter literally become a part of us (and yes, I really […]
Worldchanging Weekends
For over fifteen years David has been offering Worldchanging 101 workshops and keynotes. In them, he challenges some common, but largely unexamined, ideas about how large-scale social change happens and how it does not. We have put together a new flyer for colleges and churches about various ways to organize a weekend event or a […]
Worldchanging Weekends
For over fifteen years David has been offering Worldchanging 101 workshops and keynotes. In them, he challenges some common, but largely unexamined, ideas about how large-scale social change happens and how it does not. We have put together a new flyer for colleges and churches about various ways to organize a weekend event or a […]
Interview on peacemaking and activism
David Dault recently interviewed me for his podcast ‘Things Not Seen.’ It was a delightful conversation, and the edited version is here. I hope you will enjoy it. To listen, simply click here.
Interview on peacemaking and activism
David Dault recently interviewed me for his podcast ‘Things Not Seen.’ It was a delightful conversation, and the edited version is here. I hope you will enjoy it. To listen, simply click here.
2013 — Looky!
January 1, 2013, Chapel Hill, NC Last night Deanna and I celebrated New Year’s Eve at home, talking and laughing and trying to strengthen each other for what will be a challenging new year for us in some ways. We and Mason had not-so-gracefully showed up at a New Year’s party that afternoon—a full day […]
2013 — Looky!
January 1, 2013, Chapel Hill, NC Last night Deanna and I celebrated New Year’s Eve at home, talking and laughing and trying to strengthen each other for what will be a challenging new year for us in some ways. We and Mason had not-so-gracefully showed up at a New Year’s party that afternoon—a full day […]
What I Want For Christmas…
…really comes down to five or ten minutes of your time. And a stamp. And an envelope and a piece of paper. And a decision to spend those minutes in a way that could take a step toward righting a wrong. Ed Chapman is a friend of mine. I’ve written about him before on my […]
What I Want For Christmas…
…really comes down to five or ten minutes of your time. And a stamp. And an envelope and a piece of paper. And a decision to spend those minutes in a way that could take a step toward righting a wrong. Ed Chapman is a friend of mine. I’ve written about him before on my […]
A Zoo Story…
On Saturday, I took my son Mason to the zoo in Asheboro. It was a gorgeous day, but there were very few people there. When I stopped into the gift shop to rent a stroller (Mason hurt his foot this week and wasn’t quite up to all the walking), I asked the bored teenager behind […]
A Zoo Story…
On Saturday, I took my son Mason to the zoo in Asheboro. It was a gorgeous day, but there were very few people there. When I stopped into the gift shop to rent a stroller (Mason hurt his foot this week and wasn’t quite up to all the walking), I asked the bored teenager behind […]
A few early presents…
This holiday season I’ve decided to give a few things away. There isn’t any particular reason for this, except that I’m grateful to you who have shown enough interest in me to stay tuned to what I’m thinking/speaking/singing about. I’m grateful, and I thought it would be nice to thank some of you. So every […]
A few early presents…
This holiday season I’ve decided to give a few things away. There isn’t any particular reason for this, except that I’m grateful to you who have shown enough interest in me to stay tuned to what I’m thinking/speaking/singing about. I’m grateful, and I thought it would be nice to thank some of you. So every […]
Homecoming show at the Grey Eagle
I’ll be playing at a home town venue in Asheville, North Carolina on Thanksgiving weekend, so after spending Friday recovering from Thursday’s culinary adventure, come out on Saturday night and spend the evening with me and my band hearing some old and new songs. I played the very first concert when the Grey Eagle […]
Homecoming show at the Grey Eagle
I’ll be playing at a home town venue in Asheville, North Carolina on Thanksgiving weekend, so after spending Friday recovering from Thursday’s culinary adventure, come out on Saturday night and spend the evening with me and my band hearing some old and new songs. I played the very first concert when the Grey Eagle […]
Very More Awesome
It has now been three weeks since my Guatemalan friends returned to El Tejar, and I’m just beginning to gain the perspective that a bit of distance provides. Our time together in North Carolina was rich, dense and fulfilling, and I know that I am not the only one who was deeply moved by it. […]
Very More Awesome
It has now been three weeks since my Guatemalan friends returned to El Tejar, and I’m just beginning to gain the perspective that a bit of distance provides. Our time together in North Carolina was rich, dense and fulfilling, and I know that I am not the only one who was deeply moved by it. […]
Guatemala visits North Carolina
In 2004 David LaMotte and his wife Deanna visited Guatemala for their honeymoon, not looking for a project, other than to study Spanish and explore that beautiful country a bit. They ended up founding a non-profit organization, PEG Partners. Since then, David has collected donations at his concerts for Guatemalan school and library projects in […]
Guatemala visits North Carolina
In 2004 David LaMotte and his wife Deanna visited Guatemala for their honeymoon, not looking for a project, other than to study Spanish and explore that beautiful country a bit. They ended up founding a non-profit organization, PEG Partners. Since then, David has collected donations at his concerts for Guatemalan school and library projects in […]
Old Friends & New Songs
What happens when three long-time musician friends get together with guitars in hand? Laughter, stories, new songs, familiar songs, harmonies, and spontaneous musical moments. That’s what you can expect from David LaMotte, Chris Rosser, and Beth Wood when they take the stage at the Casbah in Durham, NC on Thursday, October 11 at 8 pm, […]
Old Friends & New Songs
What happens when three long-time musician friends get together with guitars in hand? Laughter, stories, new songs, familiar songs, harmonies, and spontaneous musical moments. That’s what you can expect from David LaMotte, Chris Rosser, and Beth Wood when they take the stage at the Casbah in Durham, NC on Thursday, October 11 at 8 pm, […]
White Flour is now a video!
Here’s a way to hear and see this story, that doesn’t require buying the book. Please feel free to share it in any context you like, virtual or actual.
White Flour is now a video!
Here’s a way to hear and see this story, that doesn’t require buying the book. Please feel free to share it in any context you like, virtual or actual.
Lots of media for White Flour
White Flour, my new illustrated book, has been receiving some lovely media attention, in television, radio and newspaper formats, not to mention blogs. This is the NBC evening news in Macon Georgia a week ago: And you can click below to check out a lovely article in the Asheville Citizen-Times… I was also interviewed […]
Lots of media for White Flour
White Flour, my new illustrated book, has been receiving some lovely media attention, in television, radio and newspaper formats, not to mention blogs. This is the NBC evening news in Macon Georgia a week ago: And you can click below to check out a lovely article in the Asheville Citizen-Times… I was also interviewed […]
Chances to spend some time in conversation this summer
Along with the whirlwind of activity around the release of my new book, White Flour, and some concert appearances, I’m preparing for a collection of conferences this summer, and I hope you can join me at some of them. One is for youth, and the rest for adults, with youth welcome. I’ll be teaching creative […]
Chances to spend some time in conversation this summer
Along with the whirlwind of activity around the release of my new book, White Flour, and some concert appearances, I’m preparing for a collection of conferences this summer, and I hope you can join me at some of them. One is for youth, and the rest for adults, with youth welcome. I’ll be teaching creative […]
‘White Flour’ interview on Macon, Georgia’s NBC-41
Here is an appearance on Macon Georgia’s NBC station, Channel 41 on May 29, 2012, talking about White Flour. It’s possible that I should have put some white flour on my head to combat the glare… 😉
‘White Flour’ interview on Macon, Georgia’s NBC-41
Here is an appearance on Macon Georgia’s NBC station, Channel 41 on May 29, 2012, talking about White Flour. It’s possible that I should have put some white flour on my head to combat the glare… 😉
They’re here!!!
The slideshow photo is of Brad, the floor manager at the warehouse, with four of the seven skids of books that arrived today—10,867 copies of White Flour, and about 2500 of S.S. Bathtub, my earlier children’s book, now back in print. As I was arriving home from Thailand, the books were pulling in on an […]
They’re here!!!
The slideshow photo is of Brad, the floor manager at the warehouse, with four of the seven skids of books that arrived today—10,867 copies of White Flour, and about 2500 of S.S. Bathtub, my earlier children’s book, now back in print. As I was arriving home from Thailand, the books were pulling in on an […]
Bloggers on “White Flour”
It is amazing to see all the excitement White Flour is generating, still six weeks out from its publication. Here are a few of the exciting things generated by other folks in response to the book. • Flip Lower, from Birmingham, AL, came up with the idea of ‘White Flour Weekend’ for May 26-27, where […]
Bloggers on “White Flour”
It is amazing to see all the excitement White Flour is generating, still six weeks out from its publication. Here are a few of the exciting things generated by other folks in response to the book. • Flip Lower, from Birmingham, AL, came up with the idea of ‘White Flour Weekend’ for May 26-27, where […]
‘White Flour’ News
As of this afternoon, March 24, there is one week to go in the month-long kickstarter campaign to publish my new illustrated book, White Flour, and wait ’til you hear the news! Here’s the scoop: Thank you! The original goal of $18,500 was met in only twelve days! People have ‘shared’ the project all over […]
‘White Flour’ News
As of this afternoon, March 24, there is one week to go in the month-long kickstarter campaign to publish my new illustrated book, White Flour, and wait ’til you hear the news! Here’s the scoop: Thank you! The original goal of $18,500 was met in only twelve days! People have ‘shared’ the project all over […]
Nobel News
The AFSC recently announced its nominee for the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize. The Nobel committee is also requesting nominees for the 2013 prize. More information on each of these efforts is available here.... Read More →
Nobel News
The AFSC recently announced its nominee for the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize. The Nobel committee is also requesting nominees for the 2013 prize. More information on each of these efforts is available here…. Read More →
White Flour book on the way…
Order the book or support the project here! My new illustrated book will be coming out in late May. It tells a funny, instructive and true story of a creative anti-racism protest by a group calling itself the Coup Clutz Clowns, in Knoxville, Tennessee. If all goes well, the book will be released on May […]
White Flour book on the way…
Order the book or support the project here! My new illustrated book will be coming out in late May. It tells a funny, instructive and true story of a creative anti-racism protest by a group calling itself the Coup Clutz Clowns, in Knoxville, Tennessee. If all goes well, the book will be released on May […]
What you did in Guatemala in 2011
This is the year-end letter to PEG donors telling them where their money went. I thought I'd share it with the rest of you, too. At the end of the year, it's powerful to look back and see what has happened.... Read More →
What you did in Guatemala in 2011
This is the year-end letter to PEG donors telling them where their money went. I thought I’d share it with the rest of you, too. At the end of the year, it’s powerful to look back and see what has happened…. Read More →
Teleprompters, Translation and a Tie
…I couldn’t help but be aware of how much my life has changed in the last few years. Last week I flew to San Diego to speak at a Rotary International Assembly. It was a bit heady for me. Not only my first time with a teleprompter and six-language simultaneous translation, but I was an […]
Teleprompters, Translation and a Tie
…I couldn’t help but be aware of how much my life has changed in the last few years. Last week I flew to San Diego to speak at a Rotary International Assembly. It was a bit heady for me. Not only my first time with a teleprompter and six-language simultaneous translation, but I was an […]
Welcome Rachel!
I’m thrilled to announce that Rachel Wilson has begun working as my new booking and logistics manager. I met Rachel last year in Raleigh and was immediately impressed by her. I’m so grateful that she has elected to work with me and keep things organized around here (you know how artists can be…). To reach […]
Welcome Rachel!
I’m thrilled to announce that Rachel Wilson has begun working as my new booking and logistics manager. I met Rachel last year in Raleigh and was immediately impressed by her. I’m so grateful that she has elected to work with me and keep things organized around here (you know how artists can be…). To reach […]
Looking Back, Looking Forward
As many of us do this time of year, I looked back over 2011 recently, and I was amazed to see all that had happened. Some of it has been hard and some has been thrilling, but I definitely feel alive. I was theoretically taking it easier this year in order to work at the […]
Looking Back, Looking Forward
As many of us do this time of year, I looked back over 2011 recently, and I was amazed to see all that had happened. Some of it has been hard and some has been thrilling, but I definitely feel alive. I was theoretically taking it easier this year in order to work at the […]
Abraham Jam
The Abraham Jam is a free interfaith event at Duke University's Page Auditorium featuring world-class professional musicians and poets. ... Read More →
Abraham Jam
The Abraham Jam is a free interfaith event at Duke University’s Page Auditorium featuring world-class professional musicians and poets. … Read More →
Update from Guatemala
I have been in or on a pretty amazing array of motorized vehicles in the last 24 hours, from public buses (a.k.a. ‘chicken buses,’ retired school buses from the US, often painted up in classic Latin style, but sometimes with the names of American counties still painted on the side) to a taxi with half […]
Update from Guatemala
I have been in or on a pretty amazing array of motorized vehicles in the last 24 hours, from public buses (a.k.a. ‘chicken buses,’ retired school buses from the US, often painted up in classic Latin style, but sometimes with the names of American counties still painted on the side) to a taxi with half […]
“I’ve Never Liked Politics”
I found this poem searching through a file in my computer called "Works In Progress." I had forgotten about it entirely, but thought it might be worth sharing...... Read More →
“I’ve Never Liked Politics”
I found this poem searching through a file in my computer called “Works In Progress.” I had forgotten about it entirely, but thought it might be worth sharing…… Read More →