John Michael Talbot is a singer guitarist who is also a monk.

Biography

Born in 1954 into Methodist household in Oklahoma City of muscial background. He was playing the guitar by 10. At fifteen he dropped out of school and was performing as a guitarist for Mason Proffit, a country folk/rock band formed with Terry, his older brother. The band produced five albums and was one of the forerunners of more successful country rock bands such as the Eagles.

As success beckoned Talbot embarked on a spiritual journey that took him via everything from Native American religion, Buddhism, to the Bible. At this point he and his brother joined the Jesus Movement, recording the album Reborn.

Two albums followed - John Michael Talbot (1976) and The New Earth (1977), both produced by Billy Ray Hearn. Then Talbot withdrew from the public eye. Reading

He is the General Minister and Spiritual Father of the community he founded, The Brothers and Sisters of Charity at , and currently resides at his community's motherhouse, the Little Portion Hermitage Monastery in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas. He keeps up an active recording and .

Discography

Albums

• John Michael Talbot (1976)
• The New Earth (1977)
• The Lord's Supper (1979)
• Beginnings / The Early Years (1980)
• Come to the Quiet (1980)
• The Painter (1980)
• For the Bride (1981)
• Troubadour of the Great King (1981)
• Light Eternal (1982)
• Songs For Worship Vol. 1 (1982)
• No Longer Strangers (1983)
• The God of Life (1984)
• Songs For Worship Vol. 2 (1985)
• The Quiet (1985)
• Be Exalted (1986)
• Empty Canvas (1986)
• The Heart of the Shepherd (1987)
• Quiet Reflections (1987)
• The Regathering (1988)
• Master Collection (1988)
• The Lover and the Beloved (1989)
• Come Worship
  
  
  
  the Lord Vol. 1 (1990)
• Come Worship
  
  
  
  the Lord Vol. 2 (1990)
• Hiding Place (1990)
• The Birth of Jesus (1990)
• The Master Musician (1992)
• Meditations in the Spirit (1993)
• Meditations from Solitude (1994)
• Chant from the Hermitage (1995)
• The John Michael Talbot Collection (1995)
• The Talbot Brothers Collection (1995)
• Brother to Brother (1996)
• Our Blessing Cup (1996)
• Troubadour for the Lord (1996)
• Table of Plenty (1997)
• Hidden Pathways (1998)
• Pathways of the Shepherd (1998)
• Pathways to Solitude (1998)
• Pathways to Wisdom (1998)
• Quiet Pathways (1998)
• Spirit Pathways (1998)
• Cave of the Heart (1999)
• Simple Heart (2000)
• Wisdom (2001)
• Signatures (2003)
• City of God (2005)
• Monk Rock (2005)

Bibliography

Books

• The Music of Creation: Foundations of a Christian Life — (Tarcher/Putnam) (1999) ISBN 1585420379
• Changes: A Spiritual Journal — (Troubadour For The Lord) ISBN 1883803004
• Blessings: Reflections On The Beatitudes — (Crossroads Publishing) ISBN 0824510771
• Come To The Quiet: The Principles Of Christian Meditation — (J.P. Tarcher) ISBN 1585421448
• The Fire Of God — (Troubadour For The Lord) ISBN 1883803012
• Hermitage: A Place Of Prayer & Spiritual Renewal — (Troubadour For The Lord) ISBN 1579210406
• The Joy Of Music Ministry (Resurrection Press) ISBN 1878718630
• Lessons Of St. Francis: Bring Simplicity & Spirituality Into Your Daily Life — (Plume Books) ISBN 0452278341
• The Lover And The Beloved: A Way Of Franciscan Prayer — (Troubadour For The Lord) ISBN 1883803047
• Meditations From Solitude: A Mystical Theology From The Christian East — (Troubadour For The Lord) ISBN 1883803055
• Reflections On The Gospels, Vol. 1: Daily Devotions For Radical Christian Living — (Troubadour For The Lord) ISBN 1883803020
• Reflections On The Gospels, Vol. 2: Daily Devotions For Radical Christian Living — (Troubadour For The Lord) ISBN 1883803039
• Reflections On The Gospels, VOL. 3: A Passion For God — (Servant Publications) ISBN 0892837055
• Simplicity (with Dan O'Neill) — (Troubadour For The Lord) ISBN 0892836350
• The Way Of The Mystics: Ancient Wisdom For Today (with Steve Rabey) — (Jossey-Bass)ISBN 0787975729

by others

• Troubadour for the Lord: The Story of John Michael Talbot by Dan O'Neill — (Crossroad Publishing) (1983) ISBN 0824505670
• Signatures: The Story Of John Michael Talbot by Dan O'Neill — (Troubadour For The Lord) (2004) ISBN 1883803101 (revised version of his earlier biography "Troubadour for the Lord")