Singer/songwriter Russ Downs has been making music of many sorts for a couple decades - pop, rock, rockabilly, Christian, and more. Arlington, VA, is home with some time in Nashville, and his religious travels have taken him from non-practicing Methodist to Unitaritarian Universalist. Russ has an independent and compassionate mind, and plenty of heart in his songs.
Song of the Soul
Song of the Soul invites you to a soul-level encounter. Music has the ability to proclaim the soul's language beyond what mere words can speak. That's what we seek as we invite our guests to share their Song of the Soul. You will hear the music that has charted the steps of their spiritual journey, that has provided a touchstone in the soul's dark night, and sung the hearts awe and joy when come to the Light. As you listen to Song of the Soul, you are both witness and companion to our guest's spiritual path and sacred testimony.
Song of the Soul guests provide 20-23 minutes of the music of their soul, and Mark Helpsmeet explores with them the relevance and meaning of this music to their experience. Most guests are musicians, usually sharing their own music, but some guests are simply sharing music they've been impacted by, written and performed by others.
The theme song for this program is by Cris Williamson and is called "Song of the Soul". Please check out the wealth of great music Cris has gifted to the world.
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Bryce Black's Song of the Soul
Bryce Black is a whimsical and profound singer/songwriter from the Chippewa Valley. His day job as LoTec Windmills provides him with time to turn the events of every day into verse and then into song. Bryce is Lutheran raised and Quaker enduring, with a trip through Evangelical Christian circles along the way, but mostly he's an original.
Mary Shapiro's Song of the Soul
Self-proclaimed as a Jewish-Christian-Mystic-Pluralist, Mary Shapiro is clearly a rich spiritual pastiche. Her music is folk-rock-progressive, and she carries deep passion for work to heal and grow the world. Native to the Midwest, Washington DC is her current home.
Derek Lamson's Song of the Soul
Derek Lamson is a bluesy, spiritual, free-wheelin' kind of guy with a sure sense of the ministry he's been called to. His music talks of the joy he's attained, but also of his struggles, like those with addiction and divorce.
Charlie King's Song of the Soul
Charlie King has been performing music since he was four, eventually finding a home with folk music. A lifelong Roman (or roaming) Catholic, he morphed from a Goldwater supporter in 1964 to an anti-war protester by 1967, and he's been an outspoken voice for peace and justice ever since.
Earth Day 2009 - Music on Main Stage
The main stage music from Eau Claire's 2009 Earth Day celebration, including performances by Quinn Elizabeth, Jeff White, Billy Krause & Chuck Roll, Patchouli.
Taizé Service - Forgiveness & Unity
A different format Song of the Soul - a recording of a Taizé style worship service filled with music, words and silence. We've abridged the silences for this radio broadcast, but encourage you to try them with full silence to experience the power of the worship.
Jonathan Lutz' Song of the Soul
Jonathan Lutz is a musician and choir leader of diverse talents and with deep spiritual reflection. Born in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, he's lived in Finland, at Europe's northern rim, for the past 30 years where he's part of a very small Quaker meeting.
Chris Pfeiffer's Song of the Soul
Chris Pfeiffer is a singer/songwriter from Southern Texas who found his career as a songwriter for the country music market interrupted by a spiritual awakening to the universal presence and blessing of God.
David Rovics' Song of the Soul
David Rovics is a singer/songwriter with a cause - actually many of them. His music takes him wherever there are listeners for his activist selection, with concern for peace, social justice and much, much more.