Elder to release new CD at Vagabond Blues concert

PALMER — Already a seasoned world traveler, it was a trip to North Carolina as a graduate student that struck a chord with Shonti Elder.

The Wasilla musician and songwriter was born in India, where her parents were English teachers. Her name, Shonti, is the Sanskrit word for “peace.” As her family moved, she grew up listening to a variety of music, including classical, folk and Broadway.

She’s come a long way since her father gave her piano lessons as a sixth-grader. Elder began playing the violin a year later and discovered bluegrass at a festival in Union Grove, N.C. Since then, Elder has grown as a musician and songwriter, including the release of four CDs.

That first exposure to folk and bluegrass was a real eye-opener for a musician who had been trained in classical violin, Elder said.

“That just opened up this whole world I didn’t even know existed,” she said. “All I knew about fiddling up until then was what I saw in cartoons. Bugs Bunny would play the fiddle out of tune or they’d have people dancing in straw hats or whatnot. But we liked folk music and could play a bunch of folk tunes. We went back and bought some books on how to play (bluegrass).”

Over the past 30 years, Elder’s style has evolved to reflect a broad range, including Celtic, swing, Dixieland and even some soft rock.

“I love listening to a variety of music and I’m not very good at being pigeon-holed,” she said.

Her latest CD, titled “Bow Drawn,” features 20 mostly original tracks and is the focal point of a Saturday concert in Palmer. Elder will perform at 7 p.m. at Vagabond Blues to celebrate the release of “Bow Drawn.”

“Eighteen of the songs are ones that I wrote over about 20 years,” she said. “I hope that (those listening) get a positive message. I try to keep it progressive as far as being hopeful in how things can change in a good way.”

Presented by the Palmer Arts Council, Saturday’s concert will also feature musical groups Wings to Fly and Jubilee.

For Valley folk and bluegrass fans, Elder isn’t an unknown. She’s hosted her own show,”Travelin’ Music,” on KSKA Alaska Public Radio since 1978. It airs every other Sunday, noon to 2 p.m. She also teaches music and orchestra at seven schools in the Eagle River area.

Elder first ventured into the Alaska music scene in 1977, when she and some friends came to the Last Frontier for a vacation.

“The plan was to stay for six weeks, but she’s still here,” her website says. “Everywhere the group went, calling themselves the Open Road String Band, they were hired to play. They filled all the empty spots at the Alaska State Fair and toured all over the road system.”

Music has “opened so many doors” in Elder’s life, she said. “It’s been a wonderful way to meet people, have adventures, express myself, learn from other people. Songs are stories, and hopefully when people hear the songs I’ve written they’ll be able to relate.”

She has also played with the Finally Tuned String Band, Bering Sea Ramblers, The Lunch Bunch and Jubilee. Though Saturday’s concert is her first solo event where she’s the featured artist, she said. She has a simple philosophy when it comes to creating original songs — write what she likes.

“For me, I need to have time alone (to write music),” she said. “When I do have time alone, things come up and then, if I’m brave, I’ll throw the songs at one band or another. It’s a lot of fun. I like playing with other people. I’m not much of a solo person; I love getting together with people and learning their songs, and vice versa.”

Elder’s newest CD is a solo project in concert with many area musicians, but she’s collaborated to produce others.

In 1987, Elder and William Putman put out “Northwords.” The pair teamed up again in 1991 for “Homefires.” In 1992, Elder was with Jubilee for its recording of “A Welcome Sound.”

Contact Greg Johnson at greg.johnson@frontiersman.com or 352-2269.