Arrow Rock postmaster also prolific songwriter

Arrow Rock Postmaster Tempe McGlaughlin sits at her piano. (Sydney Stonner/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

"They're kind of unusual," she said about her songs, which range from blues to jazz to Christian praise and more. She's written about 200 in her lifetime, the first one for Latin class when she was in middle school.

More recently, McGlaughlin wrote a song for folk singer Joan Baez and another to sing at her own daughter's wedding. She writes pieces to remember those who have died and to honor those just born. But, her inspiration often comes from her own emotions as well.

"It's the way I express myself," McGlaughlin said.

"Writing music," she added, "is a really therapeutic thing for me."

McGlaughlin has a long history as a musician. She joined her first choir at age 5 and never stopped singing, except for a two-year period where she lost her singing voice (it's mostly back now).

After graduating from college, where she studied theater with an emphasis on musical theater, McGlaughlin spent several years working as a professional musician on the West Coast. First, she was in a folk trio called Octobre Wood; later she sang in a jazz band and a gospel group.

When her children were born, McGlaughlin decided the lifestyle of a professional musician wasn't conducive to motherhood; and she and husband Bruce came to Arrow Rock.

In the village, McGlaughlin has participated in a few Lyceum productions, and she sometimes leads a musical worship service in the park. Even in the post office, McGlaughlin sings when she puts mail in people's boxes.

"Anytime anything musical happens around here," McGlaughlin said, she's usually involved.

Recently, she's collaborated with fellow villager Theresa Churchill to write songs; McGlaughlin supplies the music to accompany Churchill's poems. But, her songwriting process does not always begin with words.

"I'll usually get a phrase that's stuck in my head," McGlaughlin said, and the phrase can be music or lyrics, which she then develops into a song.

Sometimes, songs have come to her in a dream, so to speak.

"I've waked up in the middle of the night with songs that are almost complete," McGlaughlin said.

And other times, she'll be singing a tune, thinking it's a song she's heard on the radio, but it's actually one she wrote subconsciously.

As a solo artist, McGlaughlin has never recorded her music -- she has made discs with professional and church groups -- though she hasn't ruled out the possibility. But with or without a record deal, McGlaughlin will continue to write and play music.

"I've known all my life that music was pretty much the reason I'm here," she said. "It's always been an integral part of me."

"Music is really sweet to me," she added. "I think it's one of the best expressions of our spirits."

Contact Sydney Stonner at marshallbusiness@socket.net

Watch McGlaughlin sing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0Tmr6lCQ...