words by ray lamontagne

true art lies in the eyes (and ears) of the beholder. what looks, sounds and feels good to me may not be the least bit appealing to another human being on earth. music has always had the ability to completely transform me to another world. earthy, raw, passionate voices speak right to my heart. i have included a few of my favorite artists that have touched, and continue to touch, my soul.

willie nelson

this creature deserves a blog all to himself. 76 years old and still lives his life exactly the way he wants. this picture, full of beauty, captures the qualities i love about him most…humility, quiet confidence, wisdom, gentleness, a little bit rebel, experience, a life lived. i have always been intrigued by his beautiful soul.

tracy chapman

her music exudes passion and truth. i always feel that her music, every song, is a way for her to say something she can no longer keep locked inside of her, something she must share. and she does it effortlessly without wasting words.

ray lamontagne

musically, he is my favorite artist. i have never experienced anything like it. there are not many artists who can move me with every single one of their songs, but he has a way of doing just that…his voice, his words, his soul, his ability to express every possible emotion. i put him in a category of his own.

annie lennox

i love this picture. it is the cover of her bare album. as an individual and as an artist, she embraces so many of the qualities i admire in a human being: strength, vulnerability, truthfulness, emotion, grace, compassion, authenticity. 

keith urban

i think i have just as much fun watching this sweet thing as i do listening to him. he seems to get sexier by the second. he just came out with a new album, defying gravity, and it is, in my opinion, his best yet. if you click on his photo, you can go straight to his website and hear his sweet new singles, kiss a girl and sweet thing.

tina turner

at 69 years of age, she is still dancing (in heels) as if it is the only thing she has to do. this woman can move like no other. her energy is boundless and her power as a person is beyond measure. she has been pure inspiration for me throughout the years. 

don’t let your mind get weary and confused 
your will be still, don’t try 
don’t let your heart get heavy, child 
inside you there’s a strength that lies 

don’t let your soul get lonely, child 
it’s only time, it will go by 
don’t look for love in faces, places 
it’s in you, that’s where you’ll find kindness 

don’t lose your faith in me 
and I will try not to lose faith in you 
don’t put your trust in walls 
’cause walls will only crush you when they fall 

be here now

one of my all-time favorite songs by one of my all-time favorite artists. 

i have not found the words to describe this inspiring man or his captivating voice (maybe because there are none) but i can’t seem to get enough of him. this video is more of a pouring out of his heart than a performance.