November 17, 2025
Recommend music to the other authors to check out that may not be mainstream to them.
I’m a classic rock fan.
It makes sense, as that was the music I listened to growing up. But my focus was anything that came out of the singer-songwriters. John Denver, Judy Collins, Johnny Cash, Buffy St. Marie. Of course, that bled in one direction into country-western and the other into rock. Buffy St Marie led me into exploring Native American music.
But I’ve found some other music and musicians that I’ve fallen in love with. First one is Celtic music. Not the Americanized/commercial stuff, but the “real” traditional song. One example is Seo Linn. I may not know the language, but the music stirs my soul. Seo Linn – Óró Sé do Bheatha Bhaile
Today’s heavy metal is not my choice for listening, but there are exceptions. Disturbed did a cover of The Sounds of Silence, which can bring me to tears. I’ve tried listening to more of their songs, but I’m not a convert. Sounds of Silence
Let’s switch to the opposite direction. Where I live is technically in the Appalachians (the northern part) but it’s never seemed like part of it to me. But many musicians owe their beginnings to music from the area of the Appalachian mountains in Kentucky, Tennessee, and West Virginia. (Which, in turn, has roots in Irish folk music.) Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton are prime examples of popular musicians who were influenced by traditional folk songs. Ola Belle Reed was one of the old-time singers whose music has been preserved. Ola Belle Reed
Two more before I wrap this up.
I love how Native American music has been transformed into protest songs. Here’s a song from the Standing Rock confrontation of the mid-2010s over an oil pipeline being built over a vulnerable river. Standing Rock
Here’s another one, based on the history of Anna Mae Aquash, a Native American activist from the 1960s-70s. Anna Mae
I know that’s a wide scattering of songs and musical types, but I’m always open to new influences. So I’m really looking forward to listening to what my fellow authors are sharing. Just check out the links below.
As always, until next time, please stay safe.