February News
Happy 2nd Anniversary:
Rifles & Rosary Beads
On January 26th we celebrated the two-year anniversary of Rifles & Rosary Beads, my GRAMMY-Nominated album co-written with combat Veterans and their spouses.
Thank you again to the Veterans and co-writers for your courage in sharing your stories, and to all of you for your support around this record. We have been posting the songs and videos on my Facebook page, and appreciate your heartfelt comments. The Veterans' stories continue to reach people around the world, and the universal truths represented in these songs are resonating with men and women who have served or who are affected by those who serve.
David Olney
1948-2020
The world lost a great artist on January 18th. We songwriters lost a dear friend. David Olney was a man with genius and wide-reaching vision. He was the master of perspective. Point of view in his songs was forever original and brilliant. Unparalleled Mastery.
He wrote from the viewpoint of the Iceberg in "Titanic." From the point of view of the huckster ripping people off on the hill next to Jesus in "Jerusalem Tomorrow." From the viewpoint of the dummy, talking to the ventriloquist, in "Who's The Dummy Now?"
I cannot pick a favorite Olney song, but I do come back to this one over and over, written from the viewpoint of a French prostitute, in "1917."
Godspeed, David. I love you.
Mary Gauthier with David Olney
Writing Your Truth
When someone stands against the wall patiently waiting to be the last person at an album signing, they usually have something to tell me. Maybe a song I wrote brought them solace or gave voice to emotions they thought no one else understood. Perhaps the song surrounded their sorrow, held it like holy communion, offering it back, transformed. Perhaps the song helped release old tears or drained shame from a long-held secret. Maybe it let them know they were not alone.
They approach me relieved, grateful one other person (me, the songwriter) understands how they feel. These moments can be emotional, intimate, and sometimes sacred. I bear witness, I affirm what I'm told, nod my head, maybe put a hand on their shoulder. I listen. And I understand. I do. Songs (my own, and others') have carried me when I needed carrying. They're my life rafts when the storms of life howl. Songs (my own, and others') help me make sense of what happened and how I feel about it. Songs turn emotional chaos into story. Stories bring order. Stories comfort. I'm most driven to write (and listen) to songs when life has thrown me to the ground and I'm hurt, longing for something or someone. Music is my medicine.
I've played in dozens of countries and heard thousands of stories. No matter a person's nationality, age, race, gender, sexuality, religion (or lack of religion), emotions are the same everywhere. People are hurting. People are traumatized, afraid. People are lonely, yearning for meaningful connection. People need hope, we need to believe in something. People need love. Love is hard, much harder than expected.
I'm a troubadour. Troubadouring is an approach, not a genre. Troubadours are self-perceived outsiders who write songs about underdogs, unnoticed or marginalized folks and struggles not often heard in mainstream music. Wandering minstrels, we compose and perform songs to tell truths, not just to entertain. We sing about real life. When people ask me what kind of songs I write, I tell 'em I write real ones.
January 30th - February 1st: Nashville, TN
Finding Your Writer's Voice
Performing Songwriter Workshop
SOLD OUT
February 1st: Nashville, TN
Mercy Lounge
"Come Together"
An Australian Bushfire Fundraiser
February 13th: Nashville, TN
The Bluebird Cafe*
SOLD OUT
February 21st: Fort Worth, TX
The Post at River East*
February 22nd: Lewisville, TX
MCL Grand Songwriting Workshop
February 23rd: Lewisville, TX
Medical City Lewisville Grand Theater
*with Jaimee Harris
