John Michael Talbot
Encyclopedia
John Michael Talbot is an American
Roman Catholic singer-songwriter-guitarist who is founder of a monastic community, the Brothers and Sisters of Charity.
, 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.
Talbot embarked on a spiritual journey that led him through Native American religion
and Buddhism
to Christianity
. At this point he and his brother, Terry, joined the Jesus Movement
, recording the album Reborn which was re-released by Sparrow Records
(originally released as "The Talbot Bros." on the Warner Brothers label).
Two solo albums followed for Talbot: John Michael Talbot (1976) and The New Earth (1977). Both of these were 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 became a Roman Catholic and joined the Secular Franciscan Order
in 1978. He started a house of prayer, The Little Portion.
Talbot moved The Little Portion to Eureka Springs, 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). Pratka was a former Incarnate Word Sister
who had come to the community in 1986.
Per 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
.
The hermitage suffered a fire in April 2008 in which the chapel, library and many common areas were destroyed.
On April 10, 2010 Bishop Anthony Taylor dedicated the new buildings and 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.
* double album reissue of Wanted and Movin' Toward Happiness
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Roman Catholic singer-songwriter-guitarist who is founder of a monastic community, the Brothers and Sisters of Charity.
Biography
Talbot was born into a Methodist family with a musical background in Oklahoma CityOklahoma city
Oklahoma City is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma.Oklahoma City may also refer to:*Oklahoma City metropolitan area*Downtown Oklahoma City*Uptown Oklahoma City*Oklahoma City bombing*Oklahoma City National Memorial...
, Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
, 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
Mason Proffit
Mason Proffit was a folk rock band from Chicago, Illinois that released five albums between 1969 and 1973.-History:Brothers Terry Talbot and John Michael Talbot played together in several local bands around Indianapolis, Indiana and later in Chicago...
, a country folk-rock band formed with his older brother Terry.
Talbot embarked on a spiritual journey that led him through Native American religion
Native American religion
Traditional Native American religions exhibit a great deal of diversity, largely due to the relative isolation of the different tribes that were spread out across the entire breadth of the North American continent for thousands of years, allowing for the evolution of different beliefs and practices...
and Buddhism
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
to Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
. At this point he and his brother, Terry, joined the Jesus Movement
Jesus movement
The Jesus movement was a movement in Christianity beginning on the West Coast of the United States in the late 1960s and early 1970s and spreading primarily through North America and Europe, before dying out by the early 1980s. It was the major Christian element within the hippie counterculture,...
, recording the album Reborn which was re-released by Sparrow Records
Sparrow Records
-Background:Sparrow Records was founded in 1976 by Billy Ray Hearn, then A&R director at Myrrh Records. Purchased by EMI in 1992, it is now part of the EMI Christian Music Group, and has been named by Billboard Magazine as "America's Best Christian Music Record Label"...
(originally released as "The Talbot Bros." on the Warner Brothers label).
Two solo albums followed for Talbot: John Michael Talbot (1976) and The New Earth (1977). Both of these were produced by Billy Ray Hearn
Billy Ray Hearn
Billy Ray Hearn is currently the founder and chairman of EMI Christian Music Group, the world's largest religious music label.In 1954, Billy Ray Hearn graduated from Baylor University with a degree in church music....
. Reading the life of Saint Francis of Assisi, he was inspired to begin studying at a Franciscan
Franciscan
Most Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
center in Indianapolis. He became a Roman Catholic and joined the Secular Franciscan Order
Secular Franciscan Order
thumb|rigth|Lapel pin of Secular Franciscan Order.The Secular Franciscan Order is a community of Catholic men and women, of any of the Rites in communion with Rome , in the world who seek to pattern their lives after Christ in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi. Secular Franciscans are...
in 1978. He started a house of prayer, The Little Portion.
Talbot moved The Little Portion to Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Eureka Springs is a city in Carroll County, Arkansas, United States. Along with Berryville, it is one of the two county seats for the county. It is located in the Ozark Mountains of northwest Arkansas. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the town is 2,350...
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
Little portion hermitage
The Brothers and Sisters of Charity at Little Portion Hermitage is a Roman Catholic based community made up of an integrated monastic expression of celibate brothers, celibate sisters, families and singles, and a domestic expression of those who live throughout the world in their own homes.The...
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). Pratka was a former Incarnate Word Sister
Order of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament
The Order of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament is an order of nuns founded in the early part of the seventeenth century by Jeanne Chezard de Matel.- External links :* * *...
who had come to the community in 1986.
Per 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
Mercy Corps
Mercy Corps is a global aid agency engaged in transitional environments that have experienced some sort of shock: natural disaster, economic collapse, or conflict. People working for it move as quickly as possible from bringing in food and supplies to enabling people to rebuild their economy with...
.
The hermitage suffered a fire in April 2008 in which the chapel, library and many common areas were destroyed.
On April 10, 2010 Bishop Anthony Taylor dedicated the new buildings and 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.
With Mason Proffit
| Year | Title | Chart Position Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
Label | Number |
| 1969 | Wanted | Happy Tiger Happy Tiger Records Happy Tiger Records was an independent American record label that was owned by the Flying Tiger Line air freight company. Happy Tiger only operated from 1969 to 1971, but during this time managed to produce more than two dozen albums by such notable artists as Count Basie, Mason Proffit, Red... |
1009 | |
| 1971 | Movin' Toward Happiness | 177 | 1019 | |
| Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream | 186 | Ampex | A-10138 | |
| 1972 | Rockfish Crossing | Warner Bros. Warner Bros. Records Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies... |
BS-2657 | |
| 1973 | Bare Back Rider | 198 | BS-2704 | |
| 1974 | Come And Gone |
2S-2746 |
Solo
| Year | Title | Chart Position | Label | Number | Notes |
| Top Contemporary Christian | |||||
| 1974 | The Talbot Brothers | Warner Bros. Warner Bros. Records Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies... |
2767 | With Terry Talbot | |
| 1976 | Firewind | Sparrow Sparrow Records -Background:Sparrow Records was founded in 1976 by Billy Ray Hearn, then A&R director at Myrrh Records. Purchased by EMI in 1992, it is now part of the EMI Christian Music Group, and has been named by Billboard Magazine as "America's Best Christian Music Record Label"... |
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 Sparrow Records -Background:Sparrow Records was founded in 1976 by Billy Ray Hearn, then A&R director at Myrrh Records. Purchased by EMI in 1992, it is now part of the EMI Christian Music Group, and has been named by Billboard Magazine as "America's Best Christian Music Record Label"... |
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 Michael Card Michael Card is an American Christian singer-songwriter, musician, author, and radio host from Franklin, Tennessee. He is best known for his contributions in Contemporary Christian Music, which couple folk-style melodies and instrumentation with lyrics that stem from intensive study of the Bible... |
|
| Our Blessing Cup | Oregon Catholic Press Oregon Catholic Press OCP is an American liturgical publisher based in Portland, Oregon. The not-for-profit company publishes liturgical music, books, choral collections, hymnals, missals, and support materials for the Catholic Church... |
10075 | |||
| 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 | ||
| 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 |
Collections
- 1980 Beginnings
- 1989 Master Collection V1 - The Quiet Side
- 1995 Collection
- 1995 The Talbot Brothers Collection
- 2008 The Troubadour Years
Books
- 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 978-0892836352
- 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 978-0814633021
- The World Is My Cloister: Living from the Hermit Within' (Orbis Books) ISBN 978-1570758584
- The Universal Monk: The Way of the New Monastic (Liturgical Press) ISBN 978-0814633410
- Blessings of Saint Benedict (Liturgical Press) ISBN 978-0-8146-3386-1
Information sources
- 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")
External links
- Talbot's official website
- Little Portion Community cebsite
- Review: Monk Rock at The-Trades.com