If making a choice of five from a field of thirty-plus poems is the most difficult part of such an assignment, then, having this virtual feast to savor is easily the most delicious. This music is a personal response to the ‘wordsmith element’ of each one chosen, believing that the intent/touch/surrender/struggle/love in the author will rise at its reading like a gourmet dish or baked good. Trusting that, I breathe & listen to see what ingredients want to be released from my own stash, then – I let them lead.
Born and raised in Columbia, (Maury County), Tennessee, Sherry Paige graduated from Vanderbilt University. Her multifaceted career spans the creative arts as composer/writer/producer of music, film/video, & theater. Her musical theater composition, No Small Miracle, was runner-up to the first Michael Stewart Award; his 42 Street, a well known Broadway classic today. Following the loss of her home, contents, & beloved baby grand piano, Paige set out to rebuild her life from the devastating Nashville Flood of 2010. Three years later, putting her music back together, she was commissioned to record her solo piano album, The Piano Project. Currently living in Nashville, Tennessee, she continues her artistic passions & is honored as Finishing Line Press offers her first collection of poetry, To Find a Stone. With The Rockvale Review invitation to be the Featured Composer for Issue Four; Paige is further honored. “My drowned passions are being brought back to life. How do you thank someone for that?”