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Noel Paul Stookey Bio

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Noel Paul Stookey Bio Singer/songwriter Noel Paul Stookey has been altering both the musical and ethical landscape of this country and the world for decades—both as the “Paul” of the legendary Peter, Paul and Mary and as an independent musician who passionately belie es in bringing the spiritual into the practice of daily life! "unny, irre erently re erent, thoughtful, compassionately passionate, Stookey’s oice is known all across this land: from the “%edding Song” to “&n 'hese 'imes.” Noel and Betty, his bride of over )* years +but who’s counting,, moved with their three daughters to the coast of maine over forty years ago. since that time he’s done the occasional home town benefit and the here-and-there in-state show but ne er had undertaken a concentrated tour in one season. “& recorded all . of my maine concerts last summer - from ogun/uit to eastport - check '01' out on a map” he says, “and, though not all of the ideo or audio made 2prime time2, i was able to collect *3 music ideos for the 4VD and +amazingly, fit all *3 songs on the 7D to create this 1' 08ME: the maine tour package.” 'he songs in this newest release represent a broad range: '0E 71(&N "959: %1;'< +homage to the rigors of enduring the lengthened winter in maine,, a new ersion of %01'S09:NAM9 +a bittersweet =az6 shaded reminiscence of a middle-aged man in denial, originally recorded on the PP&M ?@AA album, "1M&;&1 49; 78:1<8N +a new song that speaks to the immigration issue in compassionate rather than political terms,, %944&NB S8NG +with the 2original2 lyric and a spoken introduction - DVD only, and '0E ;1DY S1YS S09 48N2' ;&KE E1<< +a commentary on a common misperception of the creati e process,. Noel hesitates to call this release a memoir - though it does span )A years of his music - still, he appreciates the fact that ?, it2s all about the music - .)% of the isual is 2in performance2, *, the camera work is intimate - both fiGed and handheld co erage by ideographers sharing the stage during performance and H, it2s as relaxed and 2stookey2 as it can get - what with no accompaniment eGcept his guitar. “…sort of what you2d eGpect if we were 1' 08ME…” he confides. %hile acknowledging his history and the meaningful association with Peter and Mary +performing occasionally with Peter as a duo following the passing of their partner Mary 'ravers in September of *AA.,, Noel Paul has stepped beyond the nostalgia of the folk era. %hether =udged by the sub=ect matter of his current concert and recorded repertoire or by irtue of his acti e in ol ement with the Music*;ife initiati e +www.music*life.org, linking music fans to the eGpression of contemporary concerns ia many different artists and musical genres, Stookey2s current musical outlook continues to be fresh, optimistic and encouraging! Eli6abeth Bannard Stookey, Noel2s highschool friend and wife of over 3J years has incorporated the 2family music2 as part of her 8NE ;&B0', M1NY 71NDLES +www.onelightmanycandles.org, multifaith programs – featuring readings from world spiritual leaders counter-pointed with the songs of her husband. Betty says L'he spiritual and rele ant nature of Noel’s music lends itself beautifully to the message of our program! 0is songs reflect the di ersity and integrity of indi idual faith while seeking a global spiritual community.” Born December HA, ?.H@, Stookey grew up in the Midwest where he played electric guitar in his high school rock #n’ roll band +the Birds of Paradise, and hung out at an :>B record shop listening to groups like the Drifters, the Platters, the 7adillacs! %hen he moved to New York 7ity, he was *A, looking for independence, but what he found were “Peter” and “Mary,” and a career that took on a life of its own, with their first album shooting to the top of the charts, where it stayed for two years. 0e has performed in intimate coffeehouses, at the %hite 0ouse, and in massi e stadiums. 1t the ?.MH March on %ashington when Martin ;uther King Er! deli ered his “& 0ave a Dream” speech, Peter, Paul and Mary deli ered the compelling “&f & 0ad a 0ammer” and “Blowin’ in the %ind”! Stookey’s sound has been shaped by huge cities, as well as the smallest hamlets of the 0eartland, housing projects, coastal Maine illages, towns up and down the Mississippi, and by his search for a common language that enables e eryone no matter their origins and eGperiences to communicate with each other and celebrate the mystery of life! 1fter a profound spiritual eGperience in the late #MAs, Noel reali6ed the *AA-plus performance schedule of the trio left neither space in which to eGplore the redisco ered depths of conscience and dedication that were tugging at him, nor the much overdue and deser ed time with his family. &n ?.@A the group took a sabbatical, providing the opportunity for Noel and Betty and their three daughters Eli6abeth, Kate and 1nna to move from suburban New York to the coast of Maine, before reuniting almost a decade later with a markedly more reasonable schedule! (y then Stookey#s solo oice was firmly established, writing and performing music that addresses social change while speaking of and to the soul; fusing =az6 improvisation and insightful folk lyrics. 'he political, sociopolitical, spiritual, and cultural dynamics of life#s stories continue to dri e his songs. 7ollaborating with his wife, Betty, sometimes sharing the presentation of multifaith seminars and performances, the connection between Stookey and his material, as well as his audience, is intimate, immediate, identifiable and electrifying! Noel Paul Stookey has recorded over 3) albums, both as part of the legendary trio and as a soloist. Prior to the release of his acclaimed 8NE > M1NY +and digital mini releases, in *A?*, he had released three 7Ds in *AA@ alone: "acets of the Eewel, Promise of ;o e, and Song for Megumi! &n addition to his performance life, Stookey oversees Neworld Multimedia, presenting new artists and creating children’s 'V shows and music. 'he royalties from his classic “%edding Song” go to the Public 4omain "oundation, where nearly O* million has been put to work for charitable causes. &f Stookey has his way, he hopes to make the world a better place by supporting a dialogue of acceptance and inclusion!..perhaps his song ;ove :ulesP says it best: “!!!tryin to be a student of transparency; more of ;ove and less of me...” ;ove rulesP.
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