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House Blend
Tom Renaud
Episode 10a • December 2010
©2010 SCVTV & Stephen K. Peeples
[SEE ALL EPISODES]
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Tom writes: I was a monk for 25 years, living in Colorado, Nova Scotia, and Ireland. I lived in beautiful wilderness areas, developing a great love for nature’s beauty. I had the opportunity to work with my hands, learning construction, carpentry and woodcarving. And all the while I worked on the guitar and wrote songs.
The monasteries I lived in were retreat centers as well; people came from all walks of life to spend time with God. I spoke with them, heard their stories, and counseled many of them. I traveled to churches and conference centers, giving talks on the importance of living a life centered in the Spirit. Everywhere I went, my music became a way of communicating with and uplifting others.
In 1998 my religious community met a Nova Scotian folk duo, Evans and Doherty. Together we made a recording (mostly my originals) that received national airplay in Canada.
In 2003 I performed my songs at the Brendan Kennelly Poetry Festival in Ireland.
In 2005 I left the monastery. I was married in 2008, and have the privilege of living with a wonderful wife and stepson! I teach special education in California — but music continues to be my favorite work. I just finished "Walk Till Morning," a CD of 14 original songs written over the last 20 years.
ABOUT THE HOST
"House Blend" host, writer and co-producer Stephen K. Peeples is a
Grammy-nominated record producer ("Monterey International Pop Festival,"
1992), award-winning radio writer-producer ("The Lost Lennon Tapes,"
1988-1990) and veteran record company executive (Capitol, Elektra/Asylum,
Rhino). A Canyon Country resident since early 1988, Peeples wrote about the
SCV music scene for The Signal newspaper in 2004-2006 and was Managing
Editor of the My Santa Clarita community website in 2006-2007. He was The
Signal's Online Editor and social media manager from October 2007 to May
2011. In 2009 he was honored when The-Signal.com was named "Best Website"
by the California Newspaper Publishers Association. A jazz and rock drummer
since he was 12, Peeples was a member of the underground West L.A. garage
band Peaking Duck from 1977-2008. In 2010, he co-founded the SCV-based jazz
quartet RainTree.
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