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Michael Lewis and Denise Wilson, principals of Traveler's Dream

Traveler’s Dream is an American folk group founded in 2000 by the two prominent folk music performers Michael Lewis (vocals, songwriter, guitar, mandolin, bouzouki, feet percussion) and Denise Wilson (vocals, songwriter, Irish flute and tin whistle, concertina, fife, and guitar) with various other artists participating on certain recordings and performances. The duo’s repertoire draws heavily from the musical traditions of Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales, French-Canada and early America and falls primarily into the following categories:

  • Traditional music of England and Ireland
  • Original songs of these styles

Because of the historical and international nature of a large part of the band’s repertoire, Traveler’s Dream performs often at historical, cultural, and educational venues in addition to other venues including those that feature folk and acoustic music.

Early Influences & Biography of Principal Performers

The repertoire, performance and recordings of Traveler’s Dream are heavily influenced by the backgrounds of the two principals.

Denise Wilson

Wilson’s early prominence was as a folk music performer reinforced by her role as a historian in the same areas. Wilson’s musical interests were heavily influenced by her family’s Celtic ancestry and her early interest in history and in French language and culture. Her French Studies French studies started in 2nd grade and culminated in a year of study at the Université de Strasbourg in France during college. Her first public performances were with a group in France during those studies. Soon after she returned from Strasbourg Wilson joined with four other musicians to form the band Bon Jolais, a folk group that specialized in traditional music from Ireland, Scotland, France, and early America. They toured primarily in Midwest from 1987 until 1999 and during that period they recorded and published two CD’s “Spirits of the Wabash” and “Till the Storm Passes”. During her high school and college years Wilson also performed as a fifer with the Tippecanoe Ancient Fife and Drum Corps, a group of musicians that portrays La Compagnie Franche de la Marine, the French troops who were stationed in colonial North America. Under her directorship (from 1978 to 1990) the group appeared at historical sites and special events in the United States, Canada, and France. Wilson went on to earn a B.A. in French at Purdue University in 1981 and a Ph.D. in History at West Virginia University in 1997. Her graduate studies focused on the history of early America and Midwestern regional history. She taught history from 1993-2000 at Lakeland College in Wisconsin, and then returned to her home town of Lafayette, Indiana. In the winter of 2000 she began performing music with Michael Lewis as Traveler’s Dream.

Wilson has been quoted as saying that the research skills she acquired in school have enabled her to research traditional music and place it in its historical context. In addition to the “teaching” inherent to performances such as living history reenactments and historically-oriented festivals, Traveler’s Dream also does instructional programs which teach history through music at schools and colleges, historical conferences, and women's history programs. Wilson has received three grants from the Indiana Arts Commission to support her efforts to create musical programs which raise awareness and appreciate of Midwestern history and cultural heritage.

Denise Wilson Discography

All are CD titles

  • Bon Jolais / Spirits of the Wabash 1995
  • Bon Jolais / Till the Storm Passes ~1999
  • Traveler’s Dream / The Road Home 2002
  • Traveler’s Dream / The Willow Tree 2004
  • Traveler’s Dream / Home Comes the Rover 2008
  • Traveler’s Dream / Cold Blows the Day 2009

Michael Lewis

Lewis’s early prominence was in areas more contemporary than Wilson’s. Lewis credited contemporary singer/songwriters such as Bruce Cockburn and Greg Brown as being his early musical influences. Songwriting has remained a focus of Lewis’s activities since he began performing as a solo singer/songwriter during the 1980’s. He first toured nationally in 1988 when he joined the folk music group “Stone Soup” (following guest performances with them in 1987) whose other members included Carrie Newcomer and Dennis Leas. He was part of this band when it was featured in a one-hour PBS special entitled “October Nights.” When Stone Soup disbanded Lewis and Newcomer performed as a duo and Lewis performed on Newcomer’s solo CD “Visions and Dreams” which was released in 1991. Lewis’ music has also been influenced by his family’s Celtic ancestry and by Irish, English, Welsh & Scottish performers including John Renbourn and Clannad. These influences were more actively developed during his period of public performances which began during the 1980’s. Lewis’ years of performing contemporary folk and acoustic music impacts the way he interprets and performs the traditional music which forms a significant part of his current repertoire. Contemporary elements include his percussive guitar style, choosing traditional songs with strong lyrical content, and creating musical arrangements (vocal and instrumental) for Traveler’s Dream’s which combine elements of traditional and contemporary folk music.

In 2001 the Indiana Arts Commission issued Michael an Individual Artist Fellowship to fund the creation of four songs relating to Midwestern history and culture. Common characteristics of these songs, including “The Willow Tree” and “A Grove of Birches,” as well as many of his other original songs are that they are songs that tell stories and that include images of Midwestern landscapes. Lewis is also owner of Middle Earth recording studio. He has been quoted as defining the mission of his studio to include preserving the musical heritage of the Midwest and supporting Midwestern musicians. Such efforts have included songwriting for other performers and producing and arranging music for regional performers. His studio work on guitar, bouzouki, and mandolin are prominent on recordings of many Midwestern musicians.

Michael Lewis Discography

This consists of the following CD titles: Stone Soup / October Nights 1987, Carrie Newcomer / Visions and Dreams 1991, Sharon McKnight / My Backyard 2000, Traveler’s Dream / The Road Home 2002, Dream Journeys / The Magic Carpet 2003, Traveler’s Dream / The Willow Tree 2004, Sharon McKnight / Factory Girl 2005, The Squatting Toad Band / The Worst of the Squatting Toad Band 2007, *Clint Brandt / Ruined 2007, Linda Hicks / In the Corner 2007, The Squatting Toad Band / 2008, Kent Heckaman / Song from Those Days 2008, Joe Peters / Pilgrimage 2008, Traveler’s Dream / Home Comes the Rover 2008, The Squatting Toad Band / The Hoax 2008, Sacred Scripture Rosary 2009, The Vagaband / The Vagaband 2009, Marsha Musleh / Tearing Down These Walls 2009, Traveler’s Dream / Cold Blows the Day 2009

Partial Middle Earth Recording Studio Discography

All of the following are CD titles except for Halo 3 national advertising campaign: Sharon McKnight / My Backyard 2000 ***, Traveler’s Dream / The Road Home 2002 ***, Dream Journeys / The Magic Carpet 2003 ***, Traveler’s Dream / The Willow Tree 2004 ***, Sharon McKnight / Factory Girl 2005 ***, The Squatting Toad Band / The Worst of the Squatting Toad Band 2007 ***, Clint Brandt / Ruined 2007 *, Linda Hicks / In the Corner 2007 **, The Squatting Toad Band / 2008 ***, Kent Heckaman / Song from Those Days 2008 *, Joe Peters / Pilgrimage 2008 ***, Traveler’s Dream / Home Comes the Rover 2008 **, The Squatting Toad Band / The Hoax 2008 ***, Norouet / N2 2009 *, Sacred Scripture Rosary 2009 *, The Vagaband / The Vagaband 2009 *, National Ad Campaign for Halo 3 Video Game 2009 *, Marsha Musleh / Tearing Down These Walls 2009 ***. Traveler’s Dream / Cold Blows the Day 2009 **

Recorded *

Recorded and produced **

Recorded and co-produced ***

Eras & Changes

Traveler’s Dream achieved notability quickly (by 2001) at larger historical events due to the principals having been already established in that realm. With both having backgrounds that included stand-alone vocals, their earlier studio works included many with one or the other performing in a solo or lead vocal role. Following chiding by fans who were enamored with rare recordings of them performing in harmonized duets, recent reviews have indicated that their 4th CD marked greater inclusion of those types. Other changes including a trend towards a heavier predominance of original works, (see media reviews of their third CD ) and increasing guest appearances (vs. band membership) by others. Currently Chance Heasty frequently performs as a guest fiddler with Traveler's Dream.

Scope & Variations

Traveler’s Dream’s “core” encompasses significant variations.

Histories & Genres

Histories and genres include traditional music of the British Isles(with an emphasis on Irish and English traditional music), songs which were popular in early America. This includes the music of the French-Canadian voyageurs and the French-speaking people who settled in villages located in the Great Lakes and Mississippi regions.

Historical Versions, Creation & Adaptation

At one end of their spectrum are performances of historical versions of folk music. At the other end are original songs inspired by the same histories. Their works also include contemporary arrangements of historical songs.

Language

Normally the group performs in English, with a few songs in French. On occasion they perform entirely in French at specialized cultural & historical events.

Performer Roles

With both Wilson and Lewis being established as solo vocalists prior to founding Traveler’s Dream, songs with one or the other in solo or lead vocal roles are prominent in their performances. More recently they have introduced more harmonic duets, and a common theme though all of their eras has included some instrumentals.

Venue Sizes and Types

Venues sizes also vary significantly, from being main stage performers at 50,000+ attendance historical events such as the Feast of the Hunter's Moon to a self-stated stated preference to continue to play some very small venues of various types including academic programs. Venue types in their "core" exhibit similar variations including historical, cultural, and educational venues, venues including those that feature folk and acoustic music, and concert type venues. Inclusion of their work in broadcasts is generally in specialty programs, such as inclusion in four editions of The Midnight Special (radio) program in 2009.

Traveler’s Dream Discography

Traveler’s Dream has produced four CD’s

The Road Home 2002

  1. Will Ye No Come Back Again
  2. Grain de Mil
  3. St. Anne's Reel / Highlander's Farewell
  4. Leave Her, Johnny
  5. Two Recruiting Sergeants
  6. End of Summer Waltz
  7. Yellow Tinker / Brenda Stubbert' s
  8. Whup Jamboree
  9. Aux Marches du Palais
  10. Bold Lad On a Rock / Granny Didn't Stay too Long
  11. Soldier's Promise
  12. Par un Jour
  13. Waterway West
  14. Road to Boston
  15. Will Ye No Come Back Again (Reprise)
  16. The Road Home plus hidden song
  17. What do you do with a Drunken Sailor? (hidden track)

The Willow Tree 2004

  1. I'm Seventeen Come Sunday
  2. While Gamekeepers Lie Sleeping
  3. Jim Ward' s Jig / Old Copperplate
  4. Bad Girl's Lament
  5. Au Bord de Jean de La Fontaine
  6. Old Bean Waltz/Mrs. Isabella MacKenzie Sutherland
  7. The Willow Tree
  8. First of May Waltz
  9. Cotton Mill Girls
  10. Scots Wha Hae
  11. P'tit Cordonnier
  12. Bowery Girl / Grandpa Joe's Polka
  13. Maggie's Reel
  14. Meg's Waltz

Home Comes the Rover 2008

  1. Black Calvary
  2. Dans les Prisons de Nantes
  3. The King's Daughters/ Reel Saint-Jean
  4. Mary and the Soldier
  5. Star of Munster / Torn Jacket / Sally Gardens (reels)
  6. Paddy West
  7. Au Bois Marguerite / Curly Shingles
  8. Donnybrook / An Grianan / Banish Misfortune (Jigs)
  9. Holy Ground
  10. Nantucket Sleighride / The Essex
  11. Planxty Hewlett / The Ash Grove (Tunes)
  12. Ah! Si Mon Moine Voulait Danser!
  13. John O'Dreams
  14. Say, Darlin' Say (Hush Little Baby)

Cold Blows the Day 2009

  1. Gloucestershire Wassail
  2. Rise Up, Jock!
  3. Coventry Carol/ Il Est Ne
  4. Good King Wenceslas
  5. Pagan Carol for Winter
  6. I Saw Three Ships
  7. Winter's Mythology
  8. Deck the Halls
  9. Bring a Torch Jeanette, Isabella
  10. Maggie in the Woods / Road to Boston
  11. Holly and the Ivy Revisited
  12. Auld Lang Syne

References

1. Venue Examples http://travelersdream.net/past_performances.htm

2. Feast of the Hunters Moon http://www.tcha.mus.in.us/feast.htm

3. Helen Magazine, February 2009, pp. 57-58, "A Passion for Music: Traveler's Dream"

4. Krannert Magazine, Purdue University, Volume 9, Issue 2, Fall 2008, p. 21, "Day Job, Dream Job"

5. Indiana Arts Commission http://www.in.gov/arts/

6. Dirty Linen (magazine), #142, July/August 2009, p. 45, review of "Home Comes the Rover"

7. Sing Out!, (magazine) Volume 52, #3, Autumn 2008, pp. 74-76, music notation and lyrics to Michael's song "The Essex"

8. Playlists for The Midnight Special Radio Program http://www.midnightspecial.org/chicago.htm

9. Review by Muzzle Blasts Magazine November 2009 Issue, pages 62-63

10. Review by Smoke & Fire News Magazine, December 2009 issue

11. Review by FRoots Magazine, London England, March 2010 issue (#321) page 69 http://www.frootsmag.com/

External links

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