Shannon Beck

“I am not waiting on the world to change,” says Shannon Beck, Seattle performing songwriter. Whether as mother, peace pursuer, poet, lover, or sister, Beck’s writing is from the heart. In the words of reviewer, Bill Fisher, “Beck’s willingness to be vulnerable, to give of herself, her experience and her feelings bring her lyrics their power …(the lyrics) after a few listenings, take on the quality of a friend’s open-hearted conversation.” One of Beck’s recent songs wrestles with change.

“There is a wild, untamed mystery

and it’s pulsing through our veins;

It moves us on and it anchors us

like a current through the waves;

If we stay on the river bank,

we’ll have only ourselves to blame;

Wet or dry, warm or shivering,

nothing ever stays the same”

Beck’s music is Heart-driven, contemporary folk. Some songs are tinged with blues or rock, but most are lyrical folk with contemporary sensibilities. In her self-produced debut album, Window Open Wide, Beck engages all of these traditions with some surprises.

Beck grew up in rural Washington state in a farming family. Her degrees in education and theology; alongside of her experience in the wilderness and the city; and working in peace and justice efforts infuse her lyrics with layers of meaning. Sometimes, though, Beck’s lyrics are concentrated and simple. In “Is it Love,” Beck asks:

“What do you long for deep down inside?

Is it love? Is it love?

What do you need to give to keep your soul alive?

Is it love? Is it love?

You can be empty; you can be proud.

Open up just a little bit and speak the truth out loud

What do you long for deep down inside?

Is it love? Is it love?”

She has recently become active in the issue of Torture and is increasingly donates her time to human rights work. “I don’t have much room in my life these days for cynicism,” says Beck. “It just doesn’t seem to get me anywhere.”

Shannon has shared the stage with national musicians Jenn Adams, Joe Jencks, and Kurt Stevenson. Among others, Beck has performed with Seattle award-winning musicians Deb Seymour and Jim Nason. She performs regularly with Mark Iler and Michael Guthrie.