Tom May: Folk Singer, World Traveler

Photo Courtesy of Tom May

Web Posted September 18, 2008

By Libby Sterling | For the Juneau Empire

When Tom May was a little boy, he thought he might grow up to be a railroad engineer or perhaps a telegrapher, after his father. He didn't expect to end up living his life as a professional musician, as he has for the past 36 years. He and his friends jokingly refer to his career as "a hobby that got out of control."

May was always attracted to music even though he came from a nonmusical family. He purchased a guitar with earnings from his newspaper route, marking the beginning of what his career has now become.

Originally from Nebraska, May now resides in Vancouver, Wash. His music has traveled far and wide, from all corners of North America to Europe. He first played in Alaska in the 1980s and he says he still loves coming back to Southeast. He gets out on the road quite a bit, playing between 150 to 200 shows per year, two of which will be in the Panhandle: He will play in Skagway on Friday, Sept. 19, and will also perform at the Juneau Arts & Culture Center at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 21.

Some would label May as a traveling troubadour, and though he says that word may be a little too flowery for him, he doesn't disagree.

"It is appropriate in the sense that I travel and take news of events that I've seen and my observations on history. I was lucky enough to find my niche, in a way, in that my songs are geographical and historical sketches, things that I feel are not forgotten but brought into the present."

May comes with a new album, "Blue Roads, Red Wine" released this year through Waterbug Records. The album features a song called "Yukon Journey, 45 Below" which, like many of May's songs, tells an epic story. In this case, the tale is of a tour through Alaska and Canada during a frigid winter. Juneau even makes a lyrical appearance, as does Alaska Airlines and all the other people, places and things that made the journey possible.

Much of May's music consists of verses that tell stories, whether they are personal journeys, present observations or historical narratives. His interest in history and geography moves him to write from one perspective and place in hopes of sharing it with another.

He has especially enjoyed bringing his songs about American history to listeners in Europe. The few hundred years of American history can't hold a candle to the millennia of recorded events taking place in Europe, but May says he has observed quite an interest by his international fans in his presentation and delivery of the American yesterdays.

His love for folk music has also led him to host the nationally syndicated radio broadcast, "River City Folk." The show first aired in 1985 and features the recordings of different artists from week to week, as well as live performances in the studio and interviews, granting listeners a comprehensive introduction to folk musicians from around the world.

He also helps run a winter folk benefit concert in Portland, Ore., which celebrated its 20th anniversary this year. It takes place each February and raises funds to provide low-cost and no-cost meals to people throughout the Portland area.

An author as well as a musician, May recently published "Promoting Your Music: The Lovin' of the Game" with co-author Dick Weissman. They have included interviews with friends in the music industry such as Gordon Lightfoot, Harry Manx and Eliza Gilkyson, and stories of their experiences turning musical callings into careers.

No matter where May is playing, he is constantly emphasizing the importance of relating to his audience and, in fact, viewing them as participants more than just flies on the wall.

"My reward is the joy of being able to play," May said. "If you miss the friends and the people connections along the way, you've missed all there is."