For 35 years Charlie King has been at the heart of American folk music. His humor and narrative skills have been praised by Pete Seeger and George Carlin. His lyrics are published in the Wall Street Journal and Solidarity Magazine as well as The New York Times. Sacramento Community Radio calls him "one of the best topical singer/songwriters today." Cincinnati City Beat says "Like Woody Guthrie, King is a true voice of America."
Charlie King will bring his unpredictable mix of songs to a coffeehouse at 9 p.m. Nov. 14 in Goshen College’s Newcomer Center, Room 19. King will also give a workshop titled "Carry it on: A History in Song of American Social Change Movements" from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in Newcomer Center, Room 19. Registration is not necessary. Admission to both events is free.
King sings hundreds of songs from dozens of genres but is best known for the music he writes himself. His contemporary songwriting and his traditional roots give him one of the most varied repertoires on the acoustic scene. With 10 albums of topical songs behind him, King recently released a double album for children — "Ship in the Sky and The Senseless Laughter of Whales" — featuring Sally Rogers and his daughter, Nell.
This year he is touring with "Brilliant," a collection of traditional and contemporary Irish songs. The recording features the wonderful accordion work of all-Canada champion Len Wallace as well as fine fiddle and vocal harmonies from Sharon Perez-Abreu. King has been collecting songs from North America, Ireland, Australia, England and Scotland for more than 30 years and writing songs since 1972. Said King, "Abbie Hoffman told me I could be anything but boring."
Billboard Magazine praises his ability "to remind us of the resilience of the human spirit." The Los Angeles Times recommends his blend of "politics, music and tenderness" and the Berkeley Express says "he sparkles."
Raised on Mark Twain and Tom Lehrer, he delights in satirical broadsides aimed at the high and mighty. But for King, a self-described hope monger, the satire never overtakes his celebration of the heroism and decency found in the everyday world. The end result has a disarming ring of truth.
Fellow performers pay his songs the highest form of tribute by singing his songs; these musicians include Pete Seeger, Arlo Guthrie, Holly Near, Ronnie Gilbert, John McCutcheon and Chad Mitchell.
Folk great Seeger said: "Charlie King is one of the most brilliant and agile singers and songwriters that I know of."
Said Canadian singer-songwriter Ferron: "A phenomenal blend of politics, heart and moral fiber mixed with a strong sense of who we are."
Legendary songwriter Tom Paxton said: "What this world needs is Charlie King. Luckily, we have him!"
King was well received by the GC campus and Elkhart County community at previous visits; the last time he performed in Goshen was in October 1990. This coffeehouse concert and the preceeding workshop are sponsored by the college’s student development department.
Newcomer Center is accessible to people using wheelchairs and others with physical limitations.
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Mennonite.net names program director
Mennonite.net has taken a significant step toward its goal of putting Mennonite churches and agencies on the World Wide Web, naming David Willems as its program director.
Willems, a 1994 graduate of Goshen College, holds a master’s degree in library science from Indiana University and attends College Mennonite Church.
"We’re thrilled to have someone with David’s credentials and background providing leadership to Mennonite.net," said Michael Sherer, executive director of Mennonite.net. "We are right on schedule to begin putting congregations and agencies on the web this fall."
Mennonite.net is a joint project of Goshen College and Mennonite Mutual Aid with a mission of assisting Mennonite churches, agencies and organizations in getting on the Web. Churches or organizations interested in participating in Mennonite.net, can contact Mennonite.net via e-mail at mennonite.net@goshen.edu, fax (574) 535-7017 or phone (574) 535-7730.
