We don't have much rap music as part of Song of the Soul, so it's about time, and I think I found a perfect guest for my show; Colby Jeffers is all about making a better world, as evident from the title of his book, Building a Better World: 5 Pillars for Transforming Yourself and Humanity. He also has released 9 rap recording over the past 13 years, and done numerous concerts across the lower 48 states.

Tom Smith, known as the World's Fastest Filker, has been making and sharing music at science fiction and fantasy conventions since 1985. He's written in many musical genres, including folk, rock, jazz, gospel, and showtunes; and can write incredibly funny political commentary just as easily as heart-felt eulogy. Today Tom shares with us a few of the songs that mean the most to him.

Michael Todd Fink and his brother founded The Giving Tree Band in 2004 with a powerful vision, including living communally and with strong environmental stewardship. While the music expresses through elements of folk, rock, country, bluegrass, and much more, the lyrics often come from and express deep truths and understandings.

Greg Greenway is sharing his music today, especially appreciated since I delayed so long in contacting him. I first learned of Greg's work as part of Brother Sun with Joe Jencks and Pat Wictor about 10 years ago.

Anne Heaton has lived widely, pursuing a wide range of interests, in Chicago (IL), Washington DC, New York, Ann Arbor (MI), and now in Milwaukee (WI). She has all the classical piano cred you could want, but has also performed as part of a Harlem gospel choir, while her songwriting has been inspired by the likes of the Indigo Girls and Tori Amos.

John-Michael Field, initials JMF, is mostly known as JAMOOF, but I think an even better name might be Big Love's Dowsing Rod, because his music is so powerfully aimed at the Big Love; not just the personal romantic connection but the thing that also gets called by the Light, the Tao, and many other names. There is naked soul and gritty mountain climbing in JAMOOF's songs, with reflections of Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, and other rich folk fodder.

Back in 2020 and 2021 I discovered Christine Stay and Aidan Quinn who are known collectively as Friction Farm.

Kate Klim enchanted me from the first with her songwriting and vocals and a talent which also thrust her into prominence when she was a 2010 Kerrville New Folk Winner. Over 4 years she dazzled the world with 3 albums, but then, with the advent of 2 children and then COVID, her muse was quiescent.

Tim Grimm delivers moving music grown out of the soil of the Midwest, music that's flavored folk, country, and Americana, and by the end of this program you'll have songs lodged in your heart that you'll carry with you for the rest of your life.

Doug Gwyn was our guest for Spirit In Action about his book, A Sustainable Life, back in 2015, but he joins us today to share from the music he's been creating & sharing for decades. Doug retired in 2018 from his work as a Quaker pastor, which freed him up to produce & remaster songs he's had for years. Doug grew out of the music of the 60s and 70s, but he's got a take all-his-own in his songs.