Carrie Newcomer
BIOGRAPHY
Performance Formats: solo or duo
Carrie Newcomer
singer-songwriter and workshop leader of genuine depth, wisdom, and whimsy
"I love Carrie Newcomer. She writes and sings about what is most personal to her and in doing so she speaks to the wider world. Her new CD, The Geography of Light, is full of gorgeous arrangements that frame her soulful vocals, and the song 'Geodes' will make you catch your breath with its wisdom and beauty."
— Mary Chapin Carpenter
"To my mind - a writer's mind- Carrie Newcomer is much more than a musician. She's a poet, storyteller, snake-charmer, good neighbor, friend and lover, minister of the wide-eyed gospel of hope and grace. All this, and she comes with a voice that declares, 'Sit down here a minute and listen.' Who could ask for more?"
— Barbara Kingsolver (Author, The Poisonwood Bible)
Carrie Newcomer is a rare breed of singer-songwriter: the kind who illuminates life with startling depth, humor and clarity. Her ability for sharp observation of the world lead the Dallas Morning News to rave, "She's the kind of artist whose music makes you stop, think and then say, 'that is so true'." Mining what is true, Newcomer's latest Rounder release, Before and After is a multi-layered work that invites the listener to slow down and reflect on the experiences that have changed and shaped our lives. On this new recording, Newcomer remarks, she has "peeled back another musical and emotional layer." The result is melodious and smooth, infused with classic Newcomer grace and honesty. Praised by Billboard as a "soaring songstress," Newcomer is an acclaimed musician who continues to create music from her uniquely spiritual and poignant take on the world. Before and After is no exception, highlighting Newcomer's ability to blend her rich alto with a poetic lyricism on a skillfully arranged and performed collection of folk roots tracks, with Appalachian and classical influences.
Newcomer, a Quaker, cuts across secular and spiritual boundaries. In recent years, she has emerged as a respected and recognized artistic voice for the progressive spiritual community. Newcomer continues to be inspired by her friendships and recent collaborations with leading authors and theologians, including Parker J. Palmer, Phillip Gulley, Scott Russell Sanders, Jim Wallis, Brian McLaren, Jill Bolte Taylor, Richard K. Thomas, and Barbara Kingsolver. Her relationship with this community influenced many of the new album's compelling themes and inspired the songs, "Do No Harm," "Stones in the River," and "I Wish I May, I Wish I Might."
Newcomer has worked with many notable artists throughout her career and has met with critical acclaim for her music. In 2008, she was listed as one of the Top Most Influential Artists of the past 25 Years by Boston's WUMB. Her successful 2008 release, The Geography of Light, also earned her Artist of the Year and Album of the Year from Folk Wax Magazine. She has toured with Alison Krauss and Union Station in Europe and the U.S. and recorded the title track of her 2002 The Gathering of Spirits album with Krauss. Krauss went on to introduce Nickel Creek to Newcomer's song "I Should've Known Better," which the band recorded on their Grammy-winning, gold-selling album This Side (produced by Krauss). Currently Carrie is writing a collection of essays and a musical based on the characters and music of Betty's Diner with author, playwright and internationally recognized sound designer Richard K. Thomas.
Newcomer's music has been praised in Rolling Stone, The Village Voice, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Acoustic Guitar, Performing Songwriter, Paste Magazine and several other outlets. In the words of acclaimed writer Barbara Kingsolver, author of The Poisonwood Bible, "Carrie Newcomer is much more than a musician. She's a poet, storyteller, snake charmer, good neighbor, friend and lover, minister of the wide-eyed gospel of hope and grace."
In the fall of 2009, Newcomer was invited by The American Center — the cultural outreach division of The American Embassy in India — to represent the U.S. as a cultural ambassador. Newcomer performed concerts for Indian audiences and young people involved with community service, taught workshops on songwriting, community service, and met and performed with contemporary, traditional, and classical Indian musicians. She also visited slum programs for women and children at risk throughout the country of India. About her impressions of India, Newcomer says, "Music can be a language deeper than words. I love our differences. Cultures are rich and what makes each culture unique is to be celebrated, but I was powerfully moved by what we share as a human family."
"Carrie is a touchstone of authenticity in an image-driven, media-defined musical world. She is a beautiful singer and songwriter, and deeply refreshing."
— Rosanne Cash
"It is a mark of spiritual virtuosity when a singer-songwriter can make you dance one moment, laugh the next, and then take you to a deeply moving, even prayerful place . . . Carrie's music does all of this for me, and more."
— Parker J. Palmer, author, Let Your Life Speak and The Courage to Teach
"Her encompassing, nurturing curriculum was well received by our students. The quality of the work was bested only by the care she took in running the workshop."
— Ari Frede, Adult Program Manager, Old Town School of Folk Music
Workshops, Master Classes, and Residency Activities
Carrie is available to facilitate a variety of customizable workshops, including:
• Writing Mindfully: Exploring the Sacred Ordinary (Song or Creative Writing)
• When the Soul's Great Joy Meets the World's Great Need: Exploration of Faith & Vocation, Activism & Art
She is also quite experienced in working with faith-based communities and linking those communities with a local presenter. A presenter could work with one or more congregations to schedule writing and creativity workshops with a culminating performance to take place at the presenter's venue.
She has presented workshops at dozens of campuses and venues around the US and is often sought out for her unique perspective and ability to help participants reach deep inside to develop their own creative voice.
Excellent curriculum and support materials are available upon request.
