I have always known that I would someday write a book. I just didn’t know what it would be about. Well, I have finally figured that out and hope to start working on it in earnest this coming Winter, when my insane touring schedule slows down.
A Bardic Circle
The book’s title and direction have been decided. A Bardic Circle will tell a bit about my own story: where I’ve been and who and what have influenced me. It will also contain interviews of some of the very, very many other musicians I have had the extreme pleasure of knowing and working with over the years.
We are ALL connected by musical and personal influences. That history and how it affects the music being created now all intertwine with each other.
Early Influences
From the moment I started this amazing journey till the present moment and beyond, I have and will continue to be affected by and influenced by the music of others. From the Beatles’ appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show and my Mom’s Brothers Four and Peter, Paul and Mary albums; from jazz musicians I saw in movies like Louie Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby and Miles Davis to the 60s AM radio playlists of the stations my Mom had playing constantly in my house as I was growing up; and to the classical music I was exposed to in music class and in the Jr High school band where I played trumpet.
I was by all definition a terrible student. Paying attention, taking notes and doing homework was just not something I did, yet I did take notes briefly in 8th grade music class while studying Gershwin. Rhapsody in Blue still to this day just blows my mind. Stravinsky, Tchaikovsky and Beethoven, too.
The Rock and Roll Years
Then, there’s the Rolling Stones, Beach Boys and heavy rock from Iron Butterfly that was my first concert at the age of 13. Led Zepplin, Hendrix and the prog rock of Moody Blues, King Crimson and so many others also influenced me.
I was and am still influenced by guitarists like Phil Keaggy, George Harrison, Leo Kottke, and Michael Hedges. There and so very many guitarists that I know both personally or by their music and reputation who are famous to other guitarists and so many of whom I am privileged to play shows and concerts with.
I do plan on interviewing many of them, as well.
I Am a Bard
People often ask me about my spiritual path and quite often I joke that I belong to The Church of the Holy Bag … that I’m “sac”rilegious.
The truth is more simple and yet more complicated than I can ever explain. I am a bard.
I express life, love and the divine through my music and all of those things are complicated.
There very well may be a few of you who will be getting interview requests over the next year from me, so don’t be surprised.
I am so grateful to everyone, both past and present who continue to inspire me.
I am a very lucky and blessed human being.
Thank you.
For more information about Brian Henke, including his collected articles here on Pagan Song, his bio, and links to Brian’s sites on the web, check out Brian Henke’s page on Pagan Song.
All photos including featured photo are property of Brian Henke. In the family photo, Brian is the tall fella on the far right with the dark shirt and light pants.
Please subscribe to the Pagan Song blog, to receive our blog post each week. Don’t miss any of the musical magic!
Visit our homepage to see the full list of the musicians who write for the Pagan Song blog.
Pagan Song has a fan club on Patreon. Join for as little as $3 a month for exclusive features! Click for info.