ANN COWLES
Anne Cowles began studying violin at age 8 and has been performing professionally since 2000.
Diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis is what propelled her into music as a career. “I realized that I
needed to do what I love – I don’t have enough energy for anything else.” Anne uses her music to
express her creativity, and as a way to reach others with disabilities. “I started A Sound
Embrace, LLC with the intention of touching others with chronic conditions in a way that would
be invigorating.” Her company, A Sound Embrace, provides musical entertainment at senior living
centers and an exercise program called The Lebed Method to those with chronic conditions.
Anne wants to expand her business to include writing circles, knitting, painting – any avenue
to get people together for support and networking and to build community. “I want to be a catalyst
for independence and strength in the disabled community.” Anne also performs in a variety of
settings – accompanying circus performers and poets, doing one-woman Gypsy music presentations,
and providing ensembles for dances and parties. Please learn more at
www.aSoundEmbrace.com and
www.yourwebspace.com/music
MARK GILLIGAN
My name is Mark Gilligan. At the age of 39 I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. As I’m sure many of you can imagine, it was like the day the atom bomb was dropped - in this case on my head.
This is my story.............
I was born and raised in Dublin where I started my musical career at a very young age. Like many of the great Irish folk musicians like The Dubliners and The Fureys’ I served my musical apprentice in O’Donaghue’s Bar. In the ‘80’s I studied clarinet under Keith Donald (“Moving Hearts, Van Morrison, Mary Black”). Keith, Ireland’s most respected saxophonist encouraged me to introduce the clarinet in Irish folk music. Over the years, I have played with illummeries like Noel Redding R.I.P. (Jimi Hendrix Experience), Ronnie Drew (Dubliners), Danny Guinan, Eleanor McEvoy and Shane McGowan.
Combined with a load of rock & roll and folk experience, I developed my own sound and I am a so called multi-instrumentalist: in fact I play just about everything that can fit into the back of my car. As well as Clarinet I also play the tenor saxophone, whistles and the Wind Modulator. But -most of all- I’m known for my exceptional and unorthodox way of playing the bodhrán (Traditional Irish drum). Stages, as we all know, are built for doing all kind of shows. But stages where I have to perform have got to be Gilligan -proof. On the stage I have been labelled a gymnastic Mad-man, and at other moments I will sing one of my own sensitive ballads.
My last solo-project was the album ‘Bang the Drum’(2002); a collection of the past 20 years as a professional musician and the many musicians he has encountered along the way. Guests include Leo O’Kelly, The Mahones, Sonny Condell, Eleanor McEvoy, Danny Guinan. Since 1992 I reside in The Netherlands and I am the director of the Music Agency Poucha Promotions, the office which is behind most of the Irish Artists that tour Holland. They also organise and program festivals in top venues like De Melkweg, Folkwoods, Paradiso. They also run their own festivals live The Big Irish Nite, A Celtic Myst,Taste of Ireland, Deventer Pub festival.
Three years ago I was told after numerous tests that I‘ve got M.S. The only way I can describe it is that it’s like an unwanted lodger inviting himself/herself into your home and not leaving. Obviously, M.S. has had a direct impact on my career. First the legs weakened - so I slowed down on my dynamic performances un rock n’ roll like I sometimes play from a chair. Secondly, the double vision, so I rarely drive. Thirdly, numbness in my hands and fingers - so my poor old Clarinets suffer. Forthly, this year the right side of my face and mouth muscle deteriorated and again poor old clarinet suffered. So I took to playing guitar and writing some new songs. And that’s M.S. for me whatever it trows at me I tend to find a solution. I still drink, smoke, go on tour, stay out late and do all the mad things associated with rock n’roll. The key I find to all this is - in moderation man!!. But if and when my body says HEY !! slow down - I listen. The hardest thing with living with M.S. is having to say NO and all the psycological aspects like financial worries, not enjoying moments playing with your children, sex complications, mobility -god the list is endless.....
KRISTIE SALERNO KENT
Kristie's debut CD, "Believe" is a heart-felt testimony of her determination
to succeed despite adversity. As a child, Kristie always dreamed of a
career on stage. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theatre
from Syracuse University and a few years later she was diagnosed with MS.
The once bright spotlight went dark for a few years. Kristie decided that
she was not going to give up her dreams of performing just because of her
diagnosis. She credits her battle with MS for helping her to find her
purpose and her passion. Kristie travels the country speaking and singing as
an MS Lifelines Ambassador. She hopes her music will help inspire others to
live their dreams and to "Believe"!
ksk@whirlawayproductions.com www.kristiesalernokent.com
JOHN KRANZ I play jazz guitar and was diagnosed with MS in October 2003.
I still play a little but it has cut into my capacity. Our band did a second CD last year. We had hired a vibes player (who was great!) so that there is a lot less guitar work than the first. You can see/hear at
www.berkeleysquarejazz.com.
Like other people, I accept what happens and am glad for all the capabilities that remain. Having played for more than 40 years, guitar is one of the toughest things for me to lose.
NICK MASULLO Nick Masullo is a songwriter who lives in the Arkansas Ozarks. His CD release "Some Kind of Sign" was produced by songwriter Emily Kaitz who says, "There are times when Nick Masullo makes me think of my three favorite singer-songwriter's. John Gorka, Richard Shindell and Michael Smith. It's not that he sounds like any of them, it's just that some of his songs are that good." The CD features the members of Trout Fishing in America, Still on the Hill and Susan Shore.
Nick was chosen as Songwriter of the Year at the 2003 Ozark music awards and was the first place winner at the 2002 Woody Guthrie Folk Festival Songwriting Competition. He was a winner in Winfield's Walnut Valley Festival songwriting awards in 2002 and 2004.
Nick has been featured nationally on "The Folk Sampler" radio show, and has received radio play from Maine to California, in Canada and in Germany. The CD has been chosen for the playlist of both the On Line Folk Festival and the Internet Folk Festival. Sound clips and CDs are available at:
www.nickmasullo.com All profits from CD sales go to assist people living with MS.
For more information please contact Nick Masullo-1837 North Rupple Road, Fayetteville, AR 72704
nick@nickmasullo.com (479) 521-0809
MICHAEL OLSON
Hi, I'm a bass player. Wait, I mean bassist. Whatever. I started playing in
1983. Went through a few bands and school music classes (ended up with 5 during
my final semester!), took lessons from some great teachers (Dave Beegle, Marty
Rein, Peter Huffaker), and ended up attending school at MI in Hollywood, where I
graduated in '89 with honors. In 1991 I joined a group from the Boulder,
Colorado area called Wind Machine, where I got to develop my fretless chops for
8 years and tour the country with some of the finest musicians - and people -
I've known to this day. During off time from WM, I taught private lessons all
over northern Colorado, recorded several albums with various notable artists as
Dave Beegle, Bob Hollister, Danny Oertli, and GasHead, among others. It was
certainly more interesting than attending college! When WM disbanded in 1998, I
began to freelance more, and temporarily joined a few bands until I decided to
move to Nashville in 2002. Upon finding that I didn't really care to live there,
I returned and began my performing and teaching career again, this time joining
forces with Jennifer Lane at Elway's Steakhouse and Bar in the Cherry Creek
section of Denver, where we have performed together as a duo for nearly 3 years.
I have also spent considerable time performing with Dave Beegle, a rock-and-roll
cover band called The Jurrasicasters (also including Dave Beegle), and Kevin
Karrick. I currently teach private lessons at Spotlight Music in Fort Collins,
and have just begun doing the same for the Larimer Campus of Front Range
Community College. Sometime around the fall of 2003, I began having strange
physical problems regarding my walking and right hand motion. After a few years
of denial and more and more symptoms showing up, I finally gave in and went in
for a physical, and to make a long story short, I was diagnosed with MS in
October of 2006. It has only affected my playing slightly - so slightly that I'd
be surprised if anyone could hear the difference. Almost everything else on my
body has been affected to a large degree; my hands have remained virtually
intact. THANK YOU GOD. :-) www.michaelolsononline.com
Back to Musicians with MS
CHRIS ROCK
Chris has been a musician since high school in the late 60's. Playing bass guitar he also writes and sings. Though he can play almost every type of music he has found his niche in Contemporary Bluegrass Music. It gives him a chance to use everything he has learned over the year's. He is working with some wonderful musicians from the Gulf Coast Bluegrass Music Association. He says " They are incredibly nice to me, helping me in and out of what ever building they are playing in and even bringing me my guitar, they are a super bunch of people!"
Chris has Primary Progresses MS, diagnosed in 1999. Before he had always been in one band or another. He has also recorded three albums and written about half of the songs for the last one. The last few years have been rough and been hard on his confidence. He misses that part of his life but says he accepts his circumstances.
LINDA STOREY
Linda Storey has been a professional musician since the age of 15. Diagnosed with MS at 23, she has played guitar, bass, piano and lead singer. Linda was a guitar teacher for two colleges, and a private academy and a music store. As leader of 4 different bands Linda toured the Northwest for several years full-time. Since the diagnosis of MS and having to use a wheelchair she still tours part-time in the summers, including in 2006 shooting a music video at Mount St. Helens Washington. Linda has written and produced five CDs and now is leader of her current band which has played many of the popular venues in Colorado. She's a member of COMA (Colorado Music Association). She has also testified in front of the Colorado State senate advocating for the right of those living with disabilities.
Advocating for independent living through several agencies she starred in the "Bending As the Willow" episode of the TV documentary series Broken Wings. Linda has toured the "Don't Let It Stop You" tours with daughter Jessica speaking, advocating and performing in several states Speaker at the Presidential Ordered Conference on the Aging and Disabled. Speaker for the National MS Society. Keynote Speaker for State Department of Medicaid, Medicare Policy and Financing. Linda serves on the State Consumer Task Force and the Advisory Committee for CDAS. 2004 winner of the Advocacy Volunteer of the Year Award from the National MS Society. August 2005 write-up in the Wall Street Journal. Founder of Musicians against MS in 2004 then CASE for MS in 2006. From a wheelchair she has also raised two children.
e-mail: lstorey@lindastorey.com
website: www.lindastorey.com Back to Musicians with MS
CLAY WALKER
Years ago in a small town outside of Houston, Texas, Clay Walker dreamed of
becoming a country music sensation. Today, he has seen his dream turn into
reality. Since his recording debut in 1993, Walker has scored 11 No. 1 country
hits and sold more than 10 million albums. “Fall”, the new single and title
track from Walker 's eighth studio album, is currently climbing the charts.
In 1996, at the age of 26, Walker was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) during one of the most pivotal
points in his life. Walker had just completed his fourth album, the country
music career he had always dreamed of was taking off, and his first daughter had
just been born. The last thing he expected was the numbness, tingling and facial
spasms that led him to the doctor and a diagnosis of MS. Walker was concerned about how MS
would affect his life and career. Fortunately, thanks to effective drug therapy, healthy
diet and exercise, Clay, who was unable to hold a guitar pick in his right hand at the
time he was diagnosed, has since regained feeling in that hand and his right leg allowing
him to continue his successful career and active lifestyle. In characteristic fashion,
Walker views MS as a motivating force. Since publicly stepping forward and revealing
his many-year struggle with MS, Walker has made it his mission to help others with
the disease. In 2003, Clay established Band Against MS, a not-for-profit organization
committed to providing educational information for those living with MS, funding
programs researching a cure for MS and funding programs helping those living with
the disease. More information about Band Against MS is available at
http://www.bandagainstms.org/. Also see
www.claywalker.com Back to Musicians with MS
RUSS WARD
Russ Ward is a singer/songwriter from Northeastern Kentucky and was diagnosed in 1990 with Multiple Sclerosis. Russ began playing guitar in 1980 and continues to play today. Russ has played country, bluegrass, folk and rock and credits Neil Young, Tim O’Brien, James Curry and Jackson Browne as influences. He is a versatile singer/songwriter and is currently playing his original works with his band Rusted Clay.
In 2000 Russ was recognized for his writing talents and was featured as one of ten songwriters at the IBMA FanFest songwriter’s showcase. Russ’s music has been featured on an environmental documentary produced by a Rockeller Scholar at the University of Kentucky. His Debut CD, Life Lessons can be heard on regional public radio stations and out in various venues in the region. Russ and Rusted Clay have appeared on the syndicated concert series, Americana Crossroads produced from Morehead State Public Radio and has appeared on several compilation cd’s from the series.
Russ states, “That MS has been a life adjustment in many ways both personally and physically, however, I have learned to play the hand I have been dealt.” Russ is also a college professor and avid camper. “Camping has also been a therapeutic means and a way to relax from the stress of our fast paced world.” However, music is his first passion and states, “as long as my hands allow me to hold a guitar I will play, it may not be as good as it once was, but it means something to me, and as long as I can sing, I will make that joyful noise.” Russ can be found at
www.rustedclay.com. Cd’s, booking information, and other Rusted Clay venues and links can be found here. He has something for everyone and is an example of not allowing MS to take complete control of his life.