Soulful Folsom coming to Libby
Musician, poet and artist Rebecca Folsom is bringing her near four-octave vocal range to the Libby Memorial Events Center for the community’s auditory enjoyment Thursday, Feb. 12. The Boulder, Colo., native is swinging through Libby as part of a tour that will take her through parts of Montana and Idaho.
Folsom has played her music in solo performances to shows with up to seven band members in a music career spanning 20 years. For her Libby show, Folsom will play a duo with Mark Oblinger. “I like to mix it up with the number of musicians sharing the stage,” Folsom said. As a published poet, Folsom enjoys duos because her songwriting can really shine through and be heard.
The last time Folsom made her way up to Montana was in 2009 with an all-girl band out of Nashville called the Rhythm Angels. On that tour she took time to work with elementary schools to confront the problem of bullying in schools.
This time around, Folsom will be working with Libby’s high school choir before her performance to teach students how they can resonate, blend and expand their vocal range. The choir will then perform the songs they workshop during Folsom’s show.
“I am excited to have two professional vocalists work some vocal pedagogy magic with my students. I am particularly looking forward to Mark spending some one-on-one time with one of my eighth grade boys,” said music teacher Lorraine Braun.
Folsom said working with students made touring a much more rich affair. “The whole experience got deeper, because rather than just showing up in a town, we are immersed in the community,” she said.
Folsom’s trajectory in music led her to offer seminars to help musicians freely open their voices in a workshop titled The Art of Vocal Freedom. She also leads classes to help speakers in the corporate world and to aid kids in gaining communications skills.
Folsom blended her numerous artistic outlets in the production of her latest album, Reunion. In the compact disc jacket Folsom included her artwork and poetry. “The process opened a spigot,” said Folsom. The creativity consumed her to the point her husband wondered when he would see her again.
Folsom’s musical influences include Joni Mitchell, Etta James and Janis Joplin. “We really get that range of musical characteristics,” she said.
Folsom is excited for the opportunity to make her way to Libby. “I love coming to Montana, it’s been a couple of years since I was there last,” she said. With a packed schedule Folsom said she probably won’t have time to do much aside from work. On her one day off she made a stop at Quinn’s Hot Springs for a rejuvenating soak.
Folsom said performing on stage is where she feels most comfortable. “There is no place on earth that I want to be more. I’m happiest there, time flies there. It’s timeless, effortless and it brings me so much joy. My hope is always that it will bring other people joy, upliftment and awakening,” she said.
Folsom’s Feb. 12 show begins at 7 p.m. at the Libby Memorial Events Center.