Talbot Makes Tour Stop at OBU

February 9, 2001

Troubadour for the Lord, guitarist and vocalist John Michael Talbot, will be in concert in Raley Chapel at Oklahoma Baptist University, Tuesday, Feb. 13 at 7:00 p.m.

The OBU and St. Gregory's University co-sponsored concert is free and open to the public.

Talbot is a nationally acclaimed Christian recording artist who has produced 45 recordings and written 14 books.

Originally from Oklahoma City, Talbot is touring Oklahoma throughout the month of Feb. to celebrate his 25th year of working in Christian music. OBU is the last stop in his 10-city tour, which includes concerts in rural towns.

"I want to return the favors that Oklahoma gave me in my early years," Talbot explained. "It's time to go back to the towns and cities and give something back."

At the age of 15, Talbot dropped out of school and joined the band Mason Proffit as guitarist. After producing five albums and performing with such '60s stars as Janis Joplin, the band disbanded.

Disillusioned with the entertainment industry, Talbot moved to an Indiana farm where he began a spiritual journey as a Franciscan monk.

In 1976, Talbot produced a solo album with Sparrow records, becoming a leader in the newly developing Christian music scene. He has since been nominated for 10 Dove Christian Music Awards and won Worship Album of the Year for his album Light Eternal.

In 1978, Talbot joined the Franciscan order taking vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. In 1982 Talbot and six others founded The Little Portion Hermitage on 25 acres in the Ozarks.

Today, his community, The Brothers and Sisters of Charity, has about 37 members in Arkansas and 500 members worldwide. It is the only community of its kind in North America recognized with canonical status from the Catholic Church.