In the meantime, I want to say a little bit about a couple of artists I've known for years, David LaMotte and Andrew McKnight. I visited with both in Memphis at Folk Alliance -- they're worth checking out for their music and their exciting social agendas.
David LaMotte - David's music is often categorized as "folk pop," and he plays a mean acoustic
guitar. I once heard a US Army general in Bosnia appropriately liken David to "Sweet Baby James." But that's another story. I didn't get to see David play much in Memphis, but we had a good chat between showcases one afternoon. David and his wife have started a nonprofit, PEG Partners, to help Guatemalan children. They've been successful with their grassroots fundraising and work and have already built a school in Guatemala. Their work continues, and David has started leading empowerment workshops because he wants people to realize that everyone can play a part to help humanity and that every little bit really does help. (photo by Margaret Torrence)
Andrew McKnight - I met Andrew 10-12 years ago around the time he quit his job as an environmental engineer and became a full-time performer. I've always appreciated his mix of environmental/social activism and also his Appalachian themes. His music is along the lines of folk pop with a sometime bluegrass feel. It's been six or so years since I've seen him perform. I liked his music before, but I loved both the music and subjects this time around. His song, Beyond Borders, was my favorite because he talks about the need to push ourselves outside of our comfort zones, beyond our borders. He does some pretty cool vocals on that song, too. The album by the same name is worth listening to. (photo by Warren McKnight)
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