Michael Kelly Blanchard to visit

Singer, songwriter and storyteller Michael Kelly Blanchard will be a guest speaker and performer in Northwestern College’s Christ Chapel Monday, March 22, at 10:05 a.m. and at 7 p.m. Blanchard will also be performing Tuesday, March 23, at 11:05 a.m. The public is invited to attend.

Blanchard will be focusing on the topic of story. He will address the power of story, how to get in touch with one’s individual story, and how to integrate stories with the biblical stories using the gift of music. Blanchard says his stories help captivate the audience to “laugh and cry at both the human condition and the renewing power of God’s unconditional love.”

Blanchard studied composition at Berklee College of Music and for over 20 years has been writing and performing his own music. Some of his most popular songs include Be Ye Glad; Danny’s Downs; I Love You, I Do, You Bet; and Quail. Blanchard has recorded 10 albums and written two music dramas, one cantata and three novels.

Blanchard grew up in a home that intertwined music, literature and faith. Raised by a father who was a fiddler and a mother who taught English, Blanchard learned firsthand the blessing of faith with the blessings of creativity.