Gentle Thunder performs solo Grand Hammer Dulcimer and Native American flutes
selected events she appears with:
Will Clipman http://www.willclipman.com
Craig Chaquico http://www.craigchaquico.com
Mariee Sioux http://myspace.com/marieesioux
Faith Rivera http://www.faithrivera.com
Ann Licater http://www.fluteforthesoul.com
Amber Norgaard
http://www.ambernorgaard.com
Influences
My journey began as a rock-n-roll drummer and my musical expression has grown to encompass hammer dulcimer, piano, Native American flute, taiko and ceremonial drumming.
I have been influenced by such artists as Elton John, Fleetwood Mac, R. Carlos Nakai, Peter Kater, Sarah McLachlan, Kenny Loggins, Indigo Girls, Melissa Etheridge, Supertramp, George Winston, Heart, Journey, Peter Paul and Mary, Jefferson Starship, Led Zeppelin and the Beatles to name just a few.
I have traveled to many places in the U.S., Canada, U.K., and Europe and honor the circle of life wherever I share my music. I believe music is the Universal language and as it crosses all borders it speaks to the heart in all of us I give thanks for the honor that it is to play the music of Spirit. I am so grateful for all those trailblazers who have come before us...
Sounds Like
Gentle Thunder
All Gentle Thunder's music samples available on CD Baby.com
http://cdbaby.com/cd/gentlethunder07
**OPENING THE GATE - NOMINATED BEST NATIVE AMERICAN ALBUM 2007 NEW AGE REPORTER LIFESTYLE MUSIC AWARDS
**BEYOND WORDS w/ WILL CLIPMAN & AMOCHIP DABNEY 2006 GRAMMY NOMINEE - BEST NEW AGE ALBUM
Gentle Thunder began her musical journey at the age of fourteen in Kirkland, WA as a rock-roll drummer and by the age of seventeen was playing drums professionally. She had some experience in school band yet was largely a self taught musician learning by ear. Gentle Thunder graduated high school, stepping fully into her musical career and for years was the driving force behind several Seattle based original bands.
Her recording career as a drummer took her to Memphis, TN for two years. While in Memphis she became captivated by the hammer dulcimer and her Native American Cree ancestry. While exploring her Cree ancestry on her Mother's side, a door opened to her spiritual path, as she "remembered" her interconnectedness to ALL life and began to consciously walk the beauty way.
Hence, a new life and musical path opened and so she let go of her familiar "rock-n-roll" path, took a leap of faith and moved to Mt. Shasta, CA where the “voice” of her spirit expanded … performing with Shasta Taiko, playing hammer dulcimer, piano, ceremonial drumming, and Native American flute. Attending College of the Siskiyous for 2 years, she explored and received additional training in computer technology, creative writing, music, dance and theater.
Having performed in the U.K., Canada, U.S., Greenland and Europe, Gentle Thunder has obtained an international following with her distinctive style and heart-filled presence. Her solo recordings: Awakening Remembrance and Winds of the Heart have touched the lives of many and charted in the top 100 New Age Reporter. She is a voting member of The Recording Academy and member of BMI with her publishing company Magical Forest Music.
In 2005 she teamed up with kindred spirits, award winning artists and multi-instrumentalists extraordinaire, Will Clipman and AmoChip Dabney, and brought her third release Beyond Words to life. Since its debut, Beyond Words spent all 9 months in the top 100 and charted 27 for the year in the 2006 top 100 New Age Reporter, nominated Best Native American Album in New Age Reporter's Lifestyle Awards, nominated for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album at the 2006 Indian Summer Music Awards and 2006 GRAMMY® nominee for Best New Age Album.
The Wall Street Journal's Jim Fusilli calls her music "direct and organic".
In 2007 Gentle Thunder expanded GT Productions to produce other artists. She co-produced Ann Licater's Following the Call and co-produced and played Native American flute and percussion on Mariee Sioux's Faces in the Rocks. Both these artists are receiving rave reviews and are not to be missed.
Other projects include composing the musical score for Mt. Shasta City Dance Theater's H20 Manifesto, a multi media theater dance performance directed by Krista Miller; performing at and facilitating weddings and celebration of life ceremonies; touring solo and with her 7/20 Twin Will Clipman and doing guest cameo apperances with Craig Chaquico (former guitarist and writer for Jefferson Starship) and his world class band.
Summer 2007, she recorded her latest solo album entitled Opening the Gate. It is a pristine realization of her weaving grand hammer dulcimer, Native American flutes and a taste of her percussion artistry. This highly vulnerable solo album showcases the musicality, subtlety, power and nuances cultivated over the span of her potent career.
At last, an album and a live performance that eloquently weaves all of her musical voices together, showcases her versatility and celebrates the path of a woman blazing her own trail in the world of music.
This winter she goes into full on production on her new album with percussionist and 7/20 Twin Will Clipman. Having recorded the tracks fall of 2007 at Allusion Studio in AZ the new album is due to be mixed and mastered this winter with release date early 2008. They will be headlining at the 2008 Zion Art and Flute Festival. Gentle Thunder is also expanding her participation as well as appearances with Craig Chaquico and his band in 2008 and looking forward to doing more work with the non-profit Rising International.
Whether collaborating or producing other artists, creating music for performance art, dance and film or performing solo, Gentle Thunder is deeply dedicated to walking a path of beauty, honoring all life and bringing the vision of wholeness to all she does.
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Stopping by to wish you a fantastic week!!! Hope all is going great with you!!! Check out my newest single Whipping Post on Texas radio NOW!!! I also hope to see you out at Rowdy Bucks in Crosby Texas Saturday November 28th 2009 9:30 The show will also be streamed live from www.susanhickman.com Check it out if you cant make it!!! Hope to see you there!!! Love, ~Susan Hickman www.susanhickman.com www.reverbnation.com/susanhickman www.twitter.com/susanhickman
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Thank you for adding the memorial page for Michael Jackson.This memorial page for him was created for his fans all over the world to pay their respects to him on. Please leave a memorial comment for him on it now,and also add yourself to the memorial guestbook on it. We leave for you the eternal burning flame that will always be lit for Michael on your page.God bless
Thank you so much Gentle Thunder for honoring us with your precious friendship and for your kind comments.... We'll try and catch your show when you visit. We hope your evening is blessed with Love and that the adventures of your Life feel like a ride on the mystery train of Pure Joy.....Thanks again !!
Ho Gentle Thunder, watch out for those fluties in Austin. Tell them I said hi. They are in for quite a treat when they come to your show. Wish I could join them in the audience to not only cheer for you, but to enjoy your beautiful live. Have fun, John
Hey, sis! Just came across you on someone's top friends and thought I would say 'hi'. Hope all is well in your life. When are you coming back to Tucson with more chocolate and smiles?
As Human Beings, we all share our Earth Mother. In this respect we all have the greatest, most nurturing, most loving and beautiful mother ever created.
Love Her, Revere Her, Honor Her, Thank Her, and Watch Over Her...today and all days. She is our greatest gift!
Love and Blessings to you all my brothers and sisters...for we have been honored to be children of the Earth.
Thank you for joining us. Together we can make a difference. Please feel free to share anything you want to. And please check out our website: www.evergyforthepeoplecoalition.com
Hello GT, so happy to see how busy you have been performing all over the U.S. Yes, it will be great to connect with you soon out west, especially because Pogo will be there too! In peace and health, John
Listen to things more often than beings. Hear the voice of the fire, hear the voice of the water, Listen in the wind to the sighing of the bush: This is the ancestors breathing. Those who are dead are never gone; The dead are not down in the earth: They are in the trembling of the trees, In the groaning of the woods, In the water that runs, in the water that sleeps, They are in the hut, they are in the crowd. Those who are dead are not ever gone; They are in the woman's breast, they are in the wailing of a child, They are in the burning log and in the moaning rock. They are in the weeping grasses, in the forest and the home. Listen to things more often than beings. Hear the voice of fire, hear the voice of water. Listen in the wind to the sighing of the bush. This is the ancestors breathing.
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