2008 Woodie Awards
Musician tells story through songs
By: Robert D. Pore
Issue date: 10/22/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Storytelling comes in many different forms.
In the case of Friday night's concert featuring famed singer/songwriter John McCutcheon, it was music.
The concert kicked off the fifth annual Michigan Story Festival.
Sue Ann Martin, dean of the College of Communication and Fine Arts, said she looks for the top storytellers from around the country, as well as local and regional.
"We've been trying to get McCutcheon for years," Martin said. "He's very versatile, plays to a broad spectrum of people; children's stuff, family stuff, adult stuff."
McCutcheon played a variety of instruments including guitar, piano and hammered dulcimer.
One of the goals of the festival is to appeal to as wide an audience as possible.
"We want to be interdisciplinary and intergenerational," Martin said.
And while the audience Friday was made up of the older generation, students who were there said they enjoyed the concert.
"I read about it in the staff lounge at Vowels Elementary School where I student teach, and I thought it looked fun," said Daria Blond, New Baltimore senior. "It's great to be around people this age who have all this wisdom to share."
Blond said McCutcheon built a rapport with the audience, and if he made a mistake while performing, the audience wouldn't hold it against him.
Blond's husband, Mount Pleasant senior William Blond, also was at the concert.
He said it was easy to identify with the songs McCutcheon sang.
"He's singing about his son going away to college, and we're the ones who went away," William Blond said. "Reality is the fun part."
McCutcheon's songs covered a wide range of subjects, from his children and life to politics and recent events such as the scandal surrounding Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho). Craig's situation was described in McCutcheon's song "Minnesota Boogie."
McCutcheon also talked about the stories behind his music.
"I really liked the storytelling along with the music - it helped get the audience involved," said Ashley Wood, Charlotte senior. "I'm a pretty critical person when it comes to musical performance. He was good, especially for the type of music he performs."
Nikhil Moro, school of Broadcast and Cinematic Arts faculty member, said McCutcheon's performance was one of the most incredible experiences of his life.
"I've always had an abiding interest in country and folk music, which was my introduction to western music," he said.
news@cm-life.com
In the case of Friday night's concert featuring famed singer/songwriter John McCutcheon, it was music.
The concert kicked off the fifth annual Michigan Story Festival.
Sue Ann Martin, dean of the College of Communication and Fine Arts, said she looks for the top storytellers from around the country, as well as local and regional.
"We've been trying to get McCutcheon for years," Martin said. "He's very versatile, plays to a broad spectrum of people; children's stuff, family stuff, adult stuff."
McCutcheon played a variety of instruments including guitar, piano and hammered dulcimer.
One of the goals of the festival is to appeal to as wide an audience as possible.
"We want to be interdisciplinary and intergenerational," Martin said.
And while the audience Friday was made up of the older generation, students who were there said they enjoyed the concert.
"I read about it in the staff lounge at Vowels Elementary School where I student teach, and I thought it looked fun," said Daria Blond, New Baltimore senior. "It's great to be around people this age who have all this wisdom to share."
Blond said McCutcheon built a rapport with the audience, and if he made a mistake while performing, the audience wouldn't hold it against him.
Blond's husband, Mount Pleasant senior William Blond, also was at the concert.
He said it was easy to identify with the songs McCutcheon sang.
"He's singing about his son going away to college, and we're the ones who went away," William Blond said. "Reality is the fun part."
McCutcheon's songs covered a wide range of subjects, from his children and life to politics and recent events such as the scandal surrounding Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho). Craig's situation was described in McCutcheon's song "Minnesota Boogie."
McCutcheon also talked about the stories behind his music.
"I really liked the storytelling along with the music - it helped get the audience involved," said Ashley Wood, Charlotte senior. "I'm a pretty critical person when it comes to musical performance. He was good, especially for the type of music he performs."
Nikhil Moro, school of Broadcast and Cinematic Arts faculty member, said McCutcheon's performance was one of the most incredible experiences of his life.
"I've always had an abiding interest in country and folk music, which was my introduction to western music," he said.
news@cm-life.com
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