John Michael Talbot (born May 8, 1954) is an American Christian musician, author, television presenter and founder of a monastic community known as the Brothers and Sisters of Charity.[1]
John Michael Talbot | |
|---|---|
 Talbot in 2014 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | John Michael Talbot |
| Born | May 8, 1954 |
| Origin | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Genres | Contemporary Christian music, country, folk-rock |
| Years active | 1970s–present |
| Labels | Sparrow, Troubadour for the Lord |
| Website | johnmichaeltalbot |
Life and career
editTalbot was born into a Methodist family with a musical background in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and started learning to play the guitar at an early age. At age 15, he dropped out of school and was performing as a guitarist for Mason Proffit, a country folk-rock band formed with his older brother Terry.[2]
Talbot embarked on a spiritual journey that led him through Native American religion and Buddhism and finally to Christianity. At this point, he and his brother, Terry, joined the Jesus movement and recorded the album Reborn, which was re-released by Sparrow Records (originally released as The Talbot Brothers on the Warner Brothers label).[3] He married his first wife Nancy in 1971.
Two solo albums followed for Talbot: John Michael Talbot (1976) and The New Earth (1977).[2] Both of these were recorded at Golden Voice Recording Studio in South Pekin, Illinois, and produced by Billy Ray Hearn. Reading the life of Saint Francis of Assisi, he was inspired to begin studying at a Franciscan center in Indianapolis. He and his wife divorced, and he became a Catholic and joined the Secular Franciscan Order in 1978.[4] His new beliefs influenced his next solo albums, The Lord's Supper (1979) and its follow-up, Come to the Quiet (1980).[2] In the years that followed, he continually released new albums and became the best-selling artist in the history of Sparrow Records.[2]
He started a house of prayer called "The Little Portion". Talbot moved The Little Portion to Berryville, Arkansas, on land he had purchased during his Mason Proffit days. He founded his own community, the Brothers and Sisters of Charity, at Little Portion Hermitage as an "integrated monastic community" with celibate brothers and sisters, singles, and families. By 1989, Talbot had married Viola Pratka (with the permission of the Catholic Church), a former Incarnate Word Sister who had come to the community in 1986.[5]
In accordance with the community's general constitutions, Talbot's title is "General Minister and Spiritual Father". For many years, he has promoted the work of Mercy Corps.[6][7]
The hermitage suffered a fire in April 2008 in which the chapel, library and many common areas were destroyed.[8] On April 10, 2010, the Bishop of Little Rock, Anthony Taylor, dedicated the new buildings. On October 2, 2010, the Brothers and Sisters of Charity at Little Portion Hermitage celebrated the opening of the new monastery church and common center.[9]
Talbot is the host of an inspirational television program, All Things Are Possible, on The Church Channel which is owned and operated by the Trinity Broadcasting Network.[10]
See also
editDiscography
editWith Mason Proffit
edit| Year | Title | Chart Position | Label | Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Wanted | Happy Tiger | 1009 | |
| 1971 | Movin' Toward Happiness | 177 | 1019 | |
| Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream | 186 | Ampex | A-10138 | |
| 1972 | Rockfish Crossing | Warner Bros. | BS-2657 | |
| 1973 | Bare Back Rider | 198 | BS-2704 | |
| 1974 | Come And Gone * | 2S-2746 |
* double album reissue of Wanted and Movin' Toward Happiness
Solo
edit| Year | Title | Chart Position | Label | Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top Contemporary Christian | |||||
| 1974 | The Talbot Brothers | Warner Bros. | 2767 | With Terry Talbot | |
| 1976 | Firewind | Sparrow | With Terry Talbot, Keith Green, Barry McGuire, 2nd Chapter of Acts | ||
| 1976 | John Michael Talbot | Sparrow | 1003 | ||
| 1977 | The New Earth | Sparrow | 1010 | ||
| 1979 | The Lord's Supper | Birdwing | 2013 | ||
| 1980 | Come to the Quiet | Birdwing | 2019 | ||
| The Painter | Sparrow | 1037 | With Terry Talbot | ||
| 1981 | For the Bride | Birdwing | 2021 | ||
| Troubadour of the Great King | Birdwing | 2034 | |||
| 1982 | Light Eternal | Birdwing | 2035 | GMA Dove Award winner | |
| Songs for Worship, Vol. 1 | Birdwing | 2044 | Also Sparrow CD 1159 | ||
| 1983 | No Longer Strangers | 21 | Sparrow | 1075 | with Terry Talbot |
| 1984 | The God of Life | 23 | Birdwing | 2056 | |
| 1985 | Songs For Worship Vol. 2 | Birdwing | 2053 | Also Sparrow CD 1159 | |
| The Quiet | Sparrow | 1254 | |||
| 1986 | Be Exalted | 10 | Birdwing | 1183 | |
| Empty Canvas | Sparrow | 1255 | Also Meadowlark 7015 | ||
| 1987 | Heart of the Shepherd | 13 | Birdwing | 2094 | |
| Quiet Reflections | Sparrow | 1150 | |||
| 1988 | The Regathering | 16 | Sparrow | 1153 | |
| 1989 | The Lover and the Beloved | Sparrow | 1193 | ||
| 1990 | Hiding Place | 19 | Sparrow | 1214 | |
| The Birth of Jesus: A Celebration of Christmas | 20 | Sparrow | 1241 | ||
| Come Worship the Lord Vol. 1 | Sparrow | 1243 | |||
| Come Worship the Lord Vol. 2 | Sparrow | 1244 | |||
| 1992 | The Master Musician | Troubadour | 4620 | ||
| 1993 | Meditations in the Spirit | Troubadour | 4621 | ||
| 1994 | Meditations from Solitude | Troubadour | 4622 | ||
| 1995 | Chant from the Hermitage | Troubadour | 4623 | ||
| 1996 | Brother to Brother | Troubadour | 3604 | with Michael Card | |
| Our Blessing Cup | Oregon Catholic Press | 10075 | |||
| The Early Years | Sparrow | 1580 | |||
| Troubadour for the Lord | Sparrow | 1545 | |||
| 1997 | Table of Plenty | Troubadour | 4624 | Also OCP 10402 | |
| 1998 | Pathways to Wisdom | Troubadour | 4625 | ||
| Pathways to Solitude | Troubadour | 4626 | |||
| Hidden Pathways | Troubadour | 4627 | |||
| Spirit Pathways | Troubadour | 4628 | |||
| Quiet Pathways | Troubadour | 4629 | |||
| Pathways of the Shepherd | Troubadour | 4630 | |||
| 1999 | Cave of the Heart | Troubadour | 4632 | with Phil Keaggy and Michael Card | |
| 2000 | Simple Heart | Troubadour | 4633 | ||
| 2001 | Wisdom | Troubadour | 4635 | ||
| 2003 | Signatures | Troubadour | 4636 | ||
| 2005 | City of God | Troubadour | 4637 | ||
| Monk Rock | Troubadour | 4638 | |||
| 2006 | The Beautiful City | Troubadour | 4639 | ||
| 2007 | Living Water 50th | Troubadour | 4640 | ||
| 2011 | Worship and Bow Down | Troubadour/OCP | 4641 | ||
| 2016 | The Inner Room | Troubadour/OCP | 4642 | ||
| 2020 | Songs from Solitude | Troubadour/OCP | 4647 | ||
| 2023 | Adoration | Troubadour/OCP | 4645 | ||
| 2024 | Late Have I Loved You | Troubadour/OCP | ? |
Collections
edit- 1980 Beginnings
- 1989 Master Collection V1 - The Quiet Side
- 1995 Collection
- 1995 The Talbot Brothers Collection
- 2003 Signatures
- 2003 History Makers
- 2008 The Troubadour Years
Bibliography
editBooks
edit- St. Romuald's Hermitage of the Heart: 40 Days to Peace, Prayer, and the Presence of God — (Book Baby) (2021)
- 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
- Simplicity (with Dan O'Neill) ISBN 978-0-89283-635-2
- 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
- Signatures (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
- Reflections on Saint Francis (Liturgical Press) ISBN 978-0-8146-3302-1
- The World Is My Cloister: Living from the Hermit Within (Orbis Books) ISBN 978-1-57075-858-4
- The Universal Monk: The Way of the New Monastic (Liturgical Press) ISBN 978-0-8146-3341-0
- Blessings of Saint Benedict (Liturgical Press) ISBN 978-0-8146-3386-1
- The Jesus Prayer - A Cry For Mercy, A Path of Renewal (Inter-Varsity Press) ISBN 978-0-8308-3577-5
- Nothing Is Impossible With God (Dynamic Catholic) ISBN 978-1-937509-61-3
Video releases
edit- All Things Are Possible With God (2014, Troubadour for the Lord)
- Nothing Is Impossible (2012, Troubadour for the Lord)
- Live in Concert (2001, Troubadour for the Lord)
- Quiet Reflections (1991, Santa Fe Communications, Inc.)
Information sources
edit- 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
edit- ^ Simplicity (with Dan O'Neill) – (Troubadour for the Lord) ISBN 0-89283-635-0
- ^ a b c d Jason Ankeny. "Allmusic bio". AllMusic. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
- ^ "Talbot, John Michael", by Don Cusic, Encyclopedia of contemporary Christian music: pop, rock, and worship, p. 427. Retrieved June 21, 2010.
- ^ "John Michael Talbot". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
- ^ "Musician Talbot to wed former nun 02/11/1989 | Chron.com". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved November 14, 2011.
- ^ Signatures: The Story Of John Michael Talbot by Dan O'Neill — (Troubadour For The Lord) (2004) ISBN 1-883803-10-1
- ^ "Be the change". Mercy Corps. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
- ^ "John Michael Talbot's Monastery Destroyed by Fire". Catholic Online. May 3, 2008. Retrieved September 5, 2009.
- ^ "Little Portion Hermitage Dedicates Mission Style Chapel". Arkansas-Catholic. April 24, 2010. Retrieved April 24, 2010.
- ^ "The Church Channel Broadcast Schedule". Trinity Broadcasting Network. April 29, 2014. Retrieved April 29, 2014.
External links
edit- Official website
- Little Portion Community website
- Review: Monk Rock at The-Trades.com