Newcomer Performs and Inspires

Carrie Newcomer performs a song during a workshop with Art and Communication students on Wednesday.

Folk singer Carrie Newcomer was EMU's "Artist in Residence" last week.

"She is more than a singer-songwriter. She's a poet, storyteller, snake-charmer, good neigh-bor, friend and lover, minister of the wide-eyed gospel of hope and grace," Barbara Kingsolver says of Newcomer on Shenandoah.com.

Campus Ministries and Campus Activity Council sponsored Newcomer's visit. She has released nine albums with Rounder/Philo Records, including her newest hit: "Betty's Diner."

Newcomer's main EMU activities included speaking at the seminary and undergraduate chapels on "faith in vocation" and "finding your calling." Last Thursday, there was also an informal concert held in Commons Grounds. First-year Donovan Tann, sophomore Sarah Schlabach, senior Brad Schlabach, and junior Andile Dube performed with Newcomer.

"I greatly enjoyed Carrie's music. She is an excellent musician, live or in the studio," said Tann. "Her ability to write excellent songs and command a group was also impressive. I felt very privileged to share the 'stage' with her Thursday night in the Common Grounds."

Newcomer also held two workshops on campus where she played selected songs and answered students' questions.

Newcomer has performed with the folk group Stone Soup and others in genres such as jazz, blues, and rock. The folk group Nickel Creek has also recorded one of her songs. She gives workshops on creative writing and songwriting, and talks on peace, faith, and justice in vocation nationwide to fulfill her desire to inspire young songwriters.

Her belief that every person is unique and authentic stems from her Quaker faith.

In 2004 she won Bloomington, Indiana's Woman of the Year title. "Not too may folksingers get voted Woman of the Year in a town as well known as Bloomington, IN, but Carrie's deep social conscience and active participation with various relief and resource organizations around the globe earned her that distinction," says Frank Goodman of Puremusic magazine.