I had the great fortune to be raised by artistic people. My dad (Forrest Goodenough) was a composer, jazz pianist, and teacher—my mother (Lucia C. Greer) a flutist and business professional—and my step-mother (Dorothy Churchill Goodenough) a concert violinist and teacher.
The year I was four, Dad was on sabbatical. We lived in the Old Maverick House with two grand pianos in the Woodstock, NY, community. I was surrounded by artists, musicians, and writers— passionate about their work and the work of others. It was a great imprint.
My father was blind since childhood, so it looked to me like he just sat down at the piano and made up music. Years later I began emulating what I saw as a magical process. I began playing in clubs in Houston, TX, in 1962 and continued through college at the University of Texas Austin.
In 1964, Paul Johnson and I formed a marriage and musical duo. I finished my degree in Zoology (encouraged by my folks to find a passion and study something practical with a future…not music). As soon as I graduated, PJ and I took off for Europe to chase the music dream.
We eventually hit London, met fellow musicians, did a demo tape in Stigwood Studios, and were signed by RingMaker Music with deals—publishing, recording, and touring. It was an auspicious time to be in London in the business.
In 1971, I found myself in the Ozarks, building a cabin…determined to do music for the listeners (instead of for a company.) PJ and I parted ways in 1977, I recorded my first solo LP in 1980 with his help, and I had glorious space at Kwuda Cabin to write, rehearse, dream, and take the music on the road.
When diagnosed with breast cancer in 1990 I did stop publishing the Zassafras Music News, a newsletter for and about singer/songwriters. But only in 2002 did I completely step away from touring. TX, AR, OK, LA, KS, NC, NY, CA, NM, TN, MI, FL, etc. Most of the recordings are still available. Big thanks to Michael Johnson, Claire Lynch, Linda Lowe, Carey Creed, Ann Armstrong, Chuck Pyle, Penny Nichols, Mary MacGregor, and the others who have played or recorded my songs. And thank you for the acknowledgements: The Spirit of Kerrville Award 1993 – The World Folk Music Association Kate Wolf Memorial Award 1995- Lifetime Achievement Award from the NWAMA 2002.
The Writers’ Colony at Dairy Hollow in Eureka Springs, AR, started around 2000. Ned Shank and Crescent Dragonwagon converted their Bed and Breakfast/Restaurant to a space where writers can have uninterrupted time to work and give back to the community. I’m still proud to be involved and supporting this nonprofit organization.
In 1984 my truelove, Art Evans, and I found each other. We share a love of Nature. Our getaways are eco touring to see and photograph endangered wildlife. We look after our parents in our NW Arkansas patch of woods. I write prose, read, spin yarn, weave, knit and work part time in Arthur’s Dental Practice.
So there is an outline of the whole story. I promise to write prose about all of the in between parts. “Flights of Fancy” includes short stories, essays, and memoir.