John Michael Talbot

Infobox musical artist
Name = John Michael Talbot


Img_capt = typical John Michael Talbot promotional shot
Background = khaki
Birth_name = John Michael Talbot
Born = birth date and age|1954| 05| 08
Origin = Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.
Genre = Christian;
Country Folk/Rock earlier on
Years_active = 1970's–present
Label = Sparrow Records (1970's–1996) Troubadour for the Lord Records (1997–date)
URL = [http://www.littleportion.org Little Portion Hermitage]

John Michael Talbot (b. May 8, 1954) is an American Roman Catholic singer-guitarist who is founder of a monastic community, the Brothers and Sisters of Charity. ["Simplicity" (with Dan O'Neill) — (Troubadour For The Lord) ISBN 0-89283-635-0]

Biography

He was born into a Methodist family with a musical background in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He had started learning to play the guitar by the age of 10. At fifteen he dropped out of school and was performing as a guitarist for Mason Proffit, a country folk/rock band formed with Terry, his older brother. The band produced five albums and was one of the forerunners of more successful country rock bands such as the Eagles.

As success beckoned, Talbot embarked on a spiritual journey that led him through Native American religion, Buddhism, to Christianity. At this point he and his brother joined the Jesus Movement, recording the album "Reborn" which was re-released by Sparrow Records(originally released as "The Talbot Bros." on the Warner Brothers label.)

Two solo albums followed for Talbot: "John Michael Talbot" (1976) and "The New Earth" (1977). Both of these were produced by Billy Ray Hearn. Talbot married, then divorced, and his wife raised their daughter. He then chose to withdraw from the public eye. Reading the life of Saint Francis of Assisi, he was inspired to begin studying at a Franciscan center in Indianapolis. He became a Roman Catholic, and joined the Secular Franciscan Order in 1978. He started a house of prayer, The Little Portion, and planned to live as a hermit. Prompted however by the ongoing request for more music, Talbot continued to produce guitar and vocal music in a contemplative style.

He moved the "House of Prayer" to land in Eureka Springs, Arkansas that he purchased in his Mason Proffit days. He formed his own community, the Brothers and Sisters of Charity at [http://www.littleportion.org Little Portion Hermitage] . It is an "integrated monastic community," with celibate brothers and sisters, singles, and families. In 1989 John Michael married (with church permission), Viola Pratka, a former [http://www.incarnateword.org/cvi/ Incarnate Word] Sister who had come to the community in 1986. He is General Minister and Spiritual Father. For many years John Michael has promoted the work of Mercy Corps. ["Signatures: The Story Of John Michael Talbot" by Dan O'Neill — (Troubadour For The Lord) (2004) ISBN 1-883803-10-1] [ [http://www.mercycorps.org/?search_id=3fca5ccf6ccdb24781d1cce78574754a&keyword=talbot&topic=0&country=0 Mercy Corps - Search Results ] ]

His hermitage suffered a blazing fire in April 2008. The library and many common areas were destroyed. The community is praying for help in replacing much that was lost in this conflagration.

He keeps up an active recording and [http://www.johnmichaeltalbot.com/calendar/index.asp?id=7 touring schedule] .

Discography

Albums

With Mason Proffit

1. Wanted (1969)
2. Movin' Toward Happiness (1971)
3. Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream (1971)
4. Rockfish Crossing (1972)
5. Bareback Rider (1973)
6. Come And Gone (1974) (re-release of Wanted and Movin' Toward Happiness)

Personal Discography

1. Reborn" (1976)" With "Terry Talbot" (Originally released as "The Talbot Bros." (1974))
2. John Michael Talbot" (1976)
3. The New Earth" (1977)
4. The Lord's Supper" (1979)
5. Beginnings / The Early Years" (1980)
6. Come to the Quiet" (1980)
7. The Painter" (1980)" With "Terry Talbot"
8. For the Bride" (1981)
9. Troubadour of the Great King" (1981)
10. Light Eternal" (1982)
11. Songs For Worship Vol. 1" (1982)
12. No Longer Strangers" (1983)" With "Terry Talbot"
13. The God of Life" (1984)
14. Songs For Worship Vol. 2" (1985)
15. The Quiet" (1985)
16. Be Exalted" (1986)
17. Empty Canvas" (1986)
18. Heart of the Shepherd" (1987)
19. Quiet Reflections" (1987)
20. The Regathering" (1988)
21. Master Collection" (1988)
22. The Lover and the Beloved" (1989)
23. Come Worship the Lord Vol. 1" (1990)
24. Come Worship the Lord Vol. 2" (1990)
25. Hiding Place" (1990)
26. The Birth of Jesus" (1990)
27. The Master Musician" (1992)
28. Meditations in the Spirit" (1993)
29. Meditations from Solitude" (1994)
30. Chant from the Hermitage" (1995)
31. The John Michael Talbot Collection" (1995)
32. The Talbot Brothers Collection" (1995)" With "Terry Talbot"
33. Brother to Brother" (1996)" With Michael Card
34. Our Blessing Cup" (1996)
35. Troubadour for the Lord" (1996)
36. Table of Plenty" (1997)
37. Hidden Pathways" (1998)
38. Pathways of the Shepherd" (1998)
39. Pathways to Solitude" (1998)
40. Pathways to Wisdom" (1998)
41. Quiet Pathways" (1998)
42. Spirit Pathways" (1998)
43. Cave of the Heart" (1999)
44. Simple Heart" (2000)
45. Wisdom" (2001)
46. Signatures" (2003)
47. City of God" (2005)
48. Monk Rock" (2005)
49. The Beautiful City" (2006)
50. Living Water 50th" (2007)
51. Troubadour Years" (2008)

Bibliography

Books

*"The Music of Creation: Foundations of a Christian Life" — (Tarcher/Putnam) (1999) ISBN 1-58542-037-9
*"Changes: A Spiritual Journal" — (Troubadour For The Lord) ISBN 1-883803-00-4
*"Blessings: Reflections On The Beatitudes" — (Crossroads Publishing) ISBN 0-8245-1077-1
*"Come To The Quiet: The Principles Of Christian Meditation" — (J.P. Tarcher) ISBN 1-58542-144-8
*"The Fire Of God" — (Troubadour For The Lord) ISBN 1-883803-01-2
*"Hermitage: A Place Of Prayer & Spiritual Renewal" — (Troubadour For The Lord) ISBN 1-57921-040-6
*"The Joy Of Music Ministry" (Resurrection Press) ISBN 1-878718-63-0
*"Lessons Of St. Francis: Bring Simplicity & Spirituality Into Your Daily Life" — (Plume Books) ISBN 0-452-27834-1
*"The Lover And The Beloved: A Way Of Franciscan Prayer" — (Troubadour For The Lord) ISBN 1-883803-04-7
*"Meditations From Solitude: A Mystical Theology From The Christian East" — (Troubadour For The Lord) ISBN 1-883803-05-5
*"Reflections On The Gospels, Vol. 1: Daily Devotions For Radical Christian Living" — (Troubadour For The Lord) ISBN 1-883803-02-0
*"Reflections On The Gospels, Vol. 2: Daily Devotions For Radical Christian Living" — (Troubadour For The Lord) ISBN 1-883803-03-9
*"Reflections On The Gospels, VOL. 3: A Passion For God" — (Servant Publications) ISBN 0-89283-705-5
*"Simplicity" (with Dan O'Neill) — (Troubadour For The Lord) ISBN 0-89283-635-0
*"The Way Of The Mystics: Ancient Wisdom For Today" (with Steve Rabey) — (Jossey-Bass)ISBN 0-7879-7572-9

Information Sources

*"Troubadour for the Lord: The Story of John Michael Talbot" by Dan O'Neill — (Crossroad Publishing) (1983) ISBN 0-8245-0567-0
*"Signatures: The Story Of John Michael Talbot" by Dan O'Neill — (Troubadour For The Lord) (2004) ISBN 1-883803-10-1 (revised version of his earlier biography "Troubadour for the Lord")

References

External links

* [http://www.johnmichaeltalbot.com/ His Website]
* [http://www.praytwice.com/html/concerts.html Management & Booking]
* [http://www.littleportion.org Community Website]
* [http://www.the-trades.com/article.php?id=4245 Review: "Monk Rock"] at The-Trades.com
* [http://monkrocktour.blogspot.com/ Unofficial Tour Blog]