September 20, 2018

John Michael Talbot shares spirituality, healing in benefit concert in Dalton

REGIONAL
Story and photos by David Martin

DALTON – Christian singer and songwriter John Michael Talbot is very enthusiastic about his latest book, Lessons from a Troubadour.

The book is a compilation of parables, prose and stories, many of which he shares with audience members in between songs at his concerts such as the one he performed at St. Agnes Church in Dalton on Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. The concert proceeds were to help benefit St. Agnes Academy in Dalton and St. Mary School in Lee.

Talbot said ordinary settings and circumstances become the best sources for inspiration. For example, he described what happened when he wrote one of his most beloved songs in a breakfast setting.

“Mom was making pancakes and throwing them out to her kids like Frisbees. The kids were squealing with delight and there was butter and pancakes and syrup all over the place and bang! Right there I wrote ‘Holy is his Name,’ so the message for us is in the middle of the ordinary we find the extraordinary gifts of God,” said Talbot.

Talbot told iObserve he feels that message is a major reason why he wanted to write this book. Father Christopher A. Malatesta, pastor of St. Agnes Parish, said he was delighted to bring a talent like Talbot to the Springfield Diocese in the Berkshires.

Father Malatesta said the concert was wonderful and, since being ordained 25 years ago, he has used some of Talbot’s music during all of those years. He said the event was very prayerful and Talbot did a friendly and interactive sound check before the concert for VIP ticket holders and was able to visit with some very enthusiastic audience members between the sound check and the performance.  

“People even before the concert began were saying how beautiful this evening was going to be, so I have been very pleased so far,” said Father Malatesta.

Talbot said that telling stories and preaching at concerts are perfect transitions between songs. He said over time he discovered appropriate segues that go from one song to the next that helps the audience to move into the song more deeply. Talbot said he guides others in meditations, which is very helpful to audience members each night.

Father Brian McGrath, pastor of St. Mary Mother of the Church Parish in Lee, first met Talbot in 1981 in Lancaster County Pennsylvania, at a Christian concert attended by 20,000 people. At the time, Father McGrath was part of a group called Branches at the Newman Catholic Center at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. Branches would tour the Christian music circuit, especially Creation festivals. Father McGrath said he was inspired by Talbot’s music and spirituality and has followed his career ever since.  

Father McGrath’s connection to Talbot’s ministry helped to bring the Grammy Award-winning artist to St. Agnes for the concert.

“To see the love, the spirit, the healing and the wonder that happens on a night like this is just indescribable. If you see something like this come into your area, go to it. It is really worth it,” said Father McGrath.

After the concert, Talbot was available to autograph CDs of his music.

For a video version of this story, tune into an upcoming edition of “Real to Reel” the Diocese of Springfield’s weekly television newsmagazine that airs Saturday evenings  at 7 on WWLP-22 NEWS.