CONTRIBUTORS
photo by matthew ginn
Michelle Mcafee is the creator and instigator of SONGBONES. A bolt of lightning struck one evening near her cabin in Oregon and she was never the same again. Thereafter, she was consumed with a vision of starting a really cool magazine for Roots Music lovers and grassroots Singer-Songwriters. Nouveau Bards. Her People. In a previous chapter, Michelle was a staff songwriter for Warner-Chappell, Sony-Tree/Maypop, and Bluewater Music. She has written music for independent films, has had songs recorded by multiple artists, and has shared the stage with folks such as G Love & Special Sauce, The Indigo Girls, & Jewel. She has released three albums, Up In The Air (2009), Float (2012), Paper Walls (2019).
photo by marcus serrano
Mark Elliott grew up in the vibrant cultural scene of Washington, DC, and caught the attention of legendary songwriter, Tom Paxton, who lit a fire in the young writer, leading him to Nashville and a publishing deal with Cherry Lane Music. He is a critically acclaimed songwriter, having won distinguished awards, including the Kerrville New Folk Award. He has written for many publishing houses in Nashville, and had major-label and independent artists record his songs. Alongside an active touring schedule with his band, Runaway Home, Mark is now writing books, blogs, and essays. The Sons of Starmount: Memoir of a Ten-Year-Old Boy is Mark’s first full-length book. markelliottcreative.com
Darren Campbell is a musician, filmmaker, Environmental Activist, father, and skier living in Tahoe, California. You might catch him performing with the bluegrass band Eight Dollar Mountain when he’s not on safari in Africa or other far flung places shooting film. He’s a cool human with lots of well-traveled wisdom and he’s one helluva flat-picker on guitar. eightdollarmountain.net
Alice DiMicele is a singer/songwriter who was born and raised in New Jersey and has called Southern Oregon home since 1986. She has released 15 albums on her label Alice Otter Music. DiMicele helped raise 2 boys who enjoyed selling CD’s and tapes at her shows. She currently lives with her husband Jeff, dog Roxy Ann, and cat Grace. Alice still tours often as a solo artist, with bassist Rob Kohler, or her band “Force of Nature” and her side-gig, “Petty Thievery,” a Tom Petty Tribute Band. AliceDimicele.com
photo by kari bedford
SALLY BARRIS has had songs covered by artists such as Kathy Mattea, Martina McBride, and Lee Ann Womack. Her song “Let The Wind Chase You”, recorded by Trisha Yearwood and Keith Urban, received a Grammy nomination for vocal collaboration in 2009. her writing credits are impressive, but her bright spirit, expressive mountain soprano, and extensive touring career are what captivates us. This Minnesota native has performed Mountain Stage, New Bedford Summer Fest, Wildflower Arts & Music Festival and The Kerrville Folk Festival. Sally is currently touring with her new cd “The Road in Me” and is based in Nashville, TN. sallybarris.com
Fiona Kernaghan is an Australian singer-songwriter and guitarist. She has released three solo albums, Cypress Grove, Shadow Wine and Truth Lilies and The Art of Being. Cypress Grove was nominated for Best New Talent at the ARIA Music Awards of 1996. Fiona has written twelve #1 hits, twenty more hit singles, won numerous awards and had over one hundred cuts worldwide in a really wide range of genres – from traditional country to electronic pop and EDM. She also loves nature, art, and exploring Taoism. Yep, we think she’s amazing too :) fionakernaghan.com
Photo by dawn reeder
JT Thomas is an award-winning photographer and science journalist who strives to produce images, multimedia and documentary films about domestic and global environmental issues. With a background in environmental biology and sustainable development, JT frequently collaborates with scientists, politicians and artists in order to document the critical issues of our times with a human-interest, narrative-driven approach. His work has appeared in the New York Times, WIRED, Smithsonian, Discover Magazine, High Country News and been shown at the International Center of Photography and the United Nations. We feel real lucky that JT offered his wonderful photography for Issue 02 of SONGBONES Magazine - Thanks JT!