Keturah Allgood

KETURAH ALLGOOD

It’s not easy being a proponent for positivity these days. With the distrust and divide that plagues the populace, finding a reason for optimism seems out of reach for many and even untenable at times.

“When I was writing the songs for this record, I felt like were were facing a worldwide epidemic of suffering,” she recalls. “It seemed at times like there is no hope on the horizon and we were just doomed to stay in the cycle of endless darkness. I really wanted people to see and feel and believe that relief from all that doom and despair is within reach, if only we’re willing to take advantage of the beautiful, brilliant light that radiates within each of us. It’s all about tapping into that light and letting it shine out into the world. I know that making this album has helped transform me personally. It helped heal me and make me more radiant and reassured as a result.”

:Allgood credits those that have shared her musical journey with helping to express those earnest intents in live performance.

* Multi-instrumentalist Bradford Carson serves as her musical director, touring partner and consistent collaborator. The pair met in 2012 and they’ve been working together ever since. Versed in a variety of musical styles, he’s a working musician, teacher and recording artist who plays guitar, banjo, keyboards, drums, and practically everything in-between. He and Keturah also collaborate in a side project called Tuesday Collective.

* Bassist Brad Rudolph (also a part of Tuesday Collective) is an engineer, producer, songwriter and musician with over 40 years touring and studio experience. In addition to his contributions to Bo Diddley’s band and a stint at Apple working with Steve Jobs, he owns Falling Waters Studio, a world-class recording facility in Brevard. He says it’s his passion, enthusiasm and love of music and technology that drives him.

She credits her grandmother and her grandmother’s five sisters’ high, heavenly harmonies for providing her with an initial influence. The music she heard in church affirmed her devotion to a sacred sound. Growing up in Brevard, within the environs that nurtured bluegrass, country, gospel, and the roots of those sounds now referred to as Americana, helped further nurture a fervent fascination with making music.

“As soon as I could talk, I started singing, and as soon as I could reach the keys on the piano, I started playing,” she recalls. “When I was a toddler, I would put on my dad’s cowboy boots and cowboy hat, round up my classmates at preschool and make them all sit and listen to me sing “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys,” I knew then and there I wanted to make music my career.”

So too, there were those whose music made an indelible impression later on — strong feminists artists such as Tori Amos and Ani DiFranco who helped sustain insight and self-awareness — as well as any number of others whose music formed the roots and relevance that continues to impact modern music today — Mavis Staples, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Janis Joplin, The Band, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Ray Charles, Billie Holliday, Bonnie Raitt, Lucinda Williams, Townes Van Zandt, Indigo Girls, Big Mama Thornton, Ryan Adams, Leonard Cohen, and Paul Simon, among the many who plowed the way forward in terms of establishing a true template for today’s diversity and delivery.

In due time, Keturah opted to embark on a career of her own, one that’s now spanned some 25 years. Her initial album, recorded in 2003, was an eponymous effort credited to a duo, Kristin and Keturah. That was followed in 2006 by her first solo record, Whole Lot of Grey. She became involved in various band projects, but just as things looked promising, domestic difficulties impeded her progress. Her ex-wife’s mental disorder not only strained their relationship, but forced her to sideline her efforts entirely. At a point, that trauma and turmoil managed to derail any ongoing efforts.

Fortunately, music managed to help her overcome her malaise and give her the fresh start she so desperately needed. She was able to reveal herself with honesty and integrity. And with that, the idea for Shine was born.

“I consider this my rebirth, a welcome return,” she reflects. “This is the first record that really reflects who I am as an artist and individual. When you’ve been doing this as long as I have, your music becomes a reflection of your life’s journey. Part of that realization comes with age and maturity, but at the same time, it also comes from digging deep into your soul in order to discover who you are as an individual, and what you want to project into the world. I believe in being as open as I can and hopefully bringing some kindness and compassion, especially at a time when it’s sorely needed. Music can unite us, and I’d like to feel that I played a role in bringing that bond to full fruition.”

The lyrics that accompany the song “Peaceful Warriors” make that quest clear:

See I believe we have the power
To make this world better
To give hope to those who have none
And I believe if we all come together
We can rise above this madness
We can alleviate the sadness forever
If we just believe it
We’ve got to believe it now

With Shine, the illumination she describes couldn’t be brighter.