Tour Itinerary (back to top)
Past itineraries - sorted by state and performance date (view)

3/18/09 11:30 AM Normal, IL Heartland Community College



Program Options: Ideas for presenting Deidre McCalla on your campus (back to top)
Outside the Lines: Reflections on Race, Gender, Sexuality, Art, Parenting, and Politics

In an informal classroom discussion/presentation Deidre McCalla revisits the paths she has traveled and why. Plus, what it has meant to her, Crafting a Life Coloring Outside the Lines.

A dedicated, lifelong advocate for peace and social justice, Deidre’s unique perspective as a working class, Ivy League educated, African-American, lesbian feminist, home schooling single parent by choice, self-employed, singer-songwriter, performer, businesswoman, celebrates the multidimensional nature of identity and creativity.

Deidre McCalla is a veteran mover and shaker of the women’s music cultural movement and has toured nationally for many years. Deidre worked for eleven years with lesbian recording company, Olivia Records, with whom she released three critically acclaimed albums and her work has been published in Home Girls: A Black Feminist Anthology, and The Original Coming Out Stories. Deidre is cofounder of Atlanta FamilyPride (now known as FamilyPride of the South), an organization supporting LGBT families in the Southeast through educational programming, community resources, social activities, and public advocacy. Deidre McCalla lives near Atlanta, Georgia where she raises and home schools her son.

Reviews and comments (back to top)

Deidre was awesome! Her performance (with our Social Problems class) was perfect for the type of environment we wanted to create. Students (and our instructor Bev Clark) stuck around quite some time for chatting after the performance. Her music is wonderful, as is her persona. –all very worthwhile!
Doug Frazier, Educational Advisor, Des Moines Area Community College - Newton, IA
 

Everything went really well. She had a great showing for a noon show and I only heard positive comments. She did a great job of motivating students to take political action while emphasizing the positive. Also, she balanced the music and lecture portion beautifully :)
Beth Hoag, Director of Student Activities, University of Illinois at Springfield - Springfield, IL

Deidre was amazing. Everything went like clockwork and we had a packed theatre of around 200 people. Everyone loved her.
Pat Thielman, Women's Studies, Saint Cloud State University - Saint Cloud, MN

I would like to thank you for contacting me and introducing me to Deidre (and Nyah), they were both so wonderful to work with. Everything worked out well and they truly seemed to enjoy the welcome basket and their accommodations. In all honesty, the sound bit on line of Deidre's performance does her no justice, and it's very good. However, she is an AWESOME performer, worth every cent and then some. Many students came to me the next day suggesting that I bring her every year, however, they felt I should have an announcement placed in the local paper so those in the community can get to hear her...which I would be sure to do when inviting her back. Deidre, as I previously stated, is a fantastic performer. She's on time and does a performance that meets the entertainment needs of her audience. She is the first musical performer, based on those I've brought to our campus, who was engaging, and she seemed to also reach the male population on our campus too, which is rare. I loved hearing them clap, cheer out, and talk to me about her later. It was such a reassurance that I had selected the right person to come.
Tamara Carter, Coordinator of Multicultural Affairs, William Woods University - Fulton, MO

the Deidre McCalla show went VERY well...she's a great lady and everyone I've talked to really enjoyed the program...we definately want to have her back next year....
J.C. Dawkins, Coordinator of Minority Student Services – Concordia University - Mequon, WI

I just wanted to let you know that Deidre McCalla was great! She was a great addition to our celebration of Black History Month. She would be great for any event. We had a good turnout, which is not always the case. She is very engaging. Here music and sound are wonderful, and her talking in between songs was very interesting, and it really added to the overall performance. She also plays the guitar very well. The students and staff really liked her performance. You can tell she really loves what she does, it showed in her performance. The audience was very quiet while she was talking and singing, except for the laughs from some of her comments. That showed me they were extremely into what she was doing. She was a pleasure to talk to, and we are very glad we had the opportunity to have her perform at our college.
Helen Manley, Coordinator of Student Life, Prairie State College – Chicago Heights, IL

The Deidre McCalla show went fine. She put on a great show and kept the audience very involved. Overall, everything went very well and I couldn't have asked for a better show. Thanks again.
Matthew Jones, Director of Music, University of Alabama


She was great and there is a GREAT article in today's newpaper, The YSU Jambar, on her. She and her son were so nice and her music has gotten oh so much better. I am sending two or three copies of the school paper to you so you can see how well her performance at Peaberry's was accepted by our students. Several people stayed behind after it was over to tell me that they want her back. Deidre was very gracious and talked at lenght with visitors after the show. I was well pleased with her. Plus, Deidre is very low maintance, no big demands and a self starter. When I got down to Peaberry's Pub she was on stage and into her own thang.
William Blake - Director of Diversity Programs, Youngstown State University, Youngstown, OH

We thoroughly enjoyed our day with Deidre. She engaged the students in conversation in the discussion session we planned, and the students from my class , "Women: Images, Realities, and Choices," who attended the concert had very positive comments. Thank you.
Dr. Vivia Lawton Fowler, R. Wright Spears Professor of Religion, Director of the Center for Engaged Learning, Columbia College, SC


She was great! Everyone really seemed to enjoy the performance and her songs matched the atmosphere of Take Back the Night really well. The Manhattan Alliance for Peace & Justice liked her music so much that they are considering booking her for their annual meeting next spring. All the feedback I got was really good and the diversity of issues that she sang and spoke about matched perfectly with the progressive community that was represented at the park. She has an amazing voice and a powerful presence on stage.
Megan Challender, Ordinary Women Feminist Group President, Kansas State University - Manhattan, KS


Deidre was great. We had a great showing from the local community. We had three people there that were huge fans that had seen her somewhere before! I was pleased with the performance and the audiences reaction. One member even made a request.
Sharon Williamson, Performing Arts Director, Colby-Sawyer College, New London, NH

Deidre's performance was great! We didn't have a huge audience, yet, the students really enjoyed her.
Shelly Muma, Director of Student Involvement, Nebraska Wesleyan University - Lincoln, NE

We had a wonderful experience with Deidre last Wednesday at MCC. Deidre's whit and talent provided us with a warm welcome to the beginning of Spring Quarter at MCC's Ekhorn Valley Campus. She also was a great kick-off to Women's History Month Activities. I counted at least 155 in attendance specifically seated for her performance. Two classes were part of those numbers. The student population was traditional. Sometimes with such an audience, the students do not pay a lot of attention, but I noted that everyone was conneting with her message. I received many positive notes from Deans, faculty and others.
Barbara Velazquez, Coordinator of International/Intercultural Education, Metropolitan Community College - Elkhorn Valley Campus - Elkhorn, NE


It was great to meet Deidre. She is a delight! I am proud of her for raising her son, as she is. Her son was great, too.
I was beginning to wonder what was ‘going on’ that day, as it seemed like things on both campuses were falling short. It turned out OK though. What happened was, at the last minute – wouldn’t you know, literally, my sound person was coming up with extreme difficulties. We had mics turning up, not working. The problem was there was a ‘senior’s project day’ scheduled during the same time as Deidre’s performance was scheduled. And when there mics did not work, they pulled from the two I had reserved for Deidre’s performance. The department chairman made the call and that was that! I explained to Deidre and she rolled with it. At first she was concerned about being heard, however, that was not a problem. She sounded great at both performances! Our international students were having a fun event just before Deidre was to perform. They were writing people’s names in all of their individual languages. So, I had them do that for Deidre and Nia. I think they both liked that, too. Then several of them came to Deidre’s performance and visited afterwards. Fun was had by all. I look forward to working with you again. I would still love to bring in Bill Miller.
Cindi Elliott, Director of Cultural Diversity Programs, Westminster College & William Woods University - Fulton, MO

Deidre did an AMAZING job! I really enjoyed her performance, she is a very talented musician. Our students and staff really enjoyed it. Thanks for the great deal!
Carissa Kollath, Student Activities Coordinator, Northeast Community College, NE


Deidre was great! Her performance was fantastic - great music with a great message. The audience really enjoyed her performance. Deidre and Nia were gracious enough to join several people after the performance for dinner. I believe everyone had a great time.
Dara Lawyer, Student Services Coordinator, Western Nebraska Community College - Sidney, NE


Deidre's performance went pretty well received. We didn’t have great attendance. I enjoyed the performance and I think, though, that since we’re a community college, our students aren’t exposed to a lot of folk singers. I feel that it was a success just because they heard someone with a different perspective than their own & a different type of music.
Lisa Last, DSA, Neosho County Community College - Chanute, KS


Deidre McCalla’s lyrics and music speak to my heart and her voice makes the experience complete for me. After hearing her here at Methodist College and buying her CDs, I have listened to her non-stop in my car, at home, and at my work desk. If there is a mailing list for up-coming releases, I would like to be included. I have made my opinion well known that I would love to hear Deidre sing at our College again on her next tour.
Debbie Andrews, Student Services, Nebraska Methodist College - Omaha, NE


Deidre's show was great. We served over 200 plates of free SOUL FOOD and that helped. Friday is a difficult day on any campus let alone Community College. I have heard great comments and a nice article in our school newspaper. I think Diedre and her son had a good time on campus. Thanks, for all your help and your quick response to our Snow Day, you saved the event. Plus, Deidre was so nice to work with.
Steve Krafcisin, DSA, Des Moines Area Community College - Boone, IA


Deidre was a spectacular performer. Everyone in attendance thoroughly enjoyed her stories and performance. It was also very easy working with you all, and I look forward to working with you in the future.
Kelly-Ann Vassel, Diversity Advocacy Specialist, Illinois State University - Normal, IL

Our evening with Deidre McCalla went off without a hitch. Deidre was extremely easy to work with. Her performance was flawless. Her lyrics are poignant and touch on issues of social justice; she was a great choice as part of our Women’s History Month programming. I found you and the agency easy to work with and I enjoyed how easy it was to use the pre-made publicity off your website as well as the professionally made posters you sent us prior to the show.
Nicolette A. Yevich - Director, Women's Center - Shippensburg University

Deidra McCalla was great. She put on an awesome show and has such a great personality. After the show she and I got to talk about music and I got to ask her a lot of questions about being a professional musician. I would highly recommend her to other schools and hopefully we can get her to come back next year.
Greg Starliper, Shepherd University

"The show was great and Deidre was very warm and awesome. The students enjoyed her. It was a very attentive crowd. I really enjoyed Deidre and her son. It was a good time. Thanks for all the energy you put into making this happen."
Mirffat Sheikh, NSA Multicultural Programmer - Northland College (WI)

"Deidre did a wonderful job. She has a great voice and her songs have meaning in them. The students really enjoyed her dynamic personality and her upbeat songs. Thanks for making this all possible!"
Joyce Traczyk, DSA - Anoka Ramsey Community College (MN)

"Diedre did a fantastic performance - comments - it was like she knew us personally; she talked to us and sang as though we were all friends. She was awesome. I think she had a good time performing for us. We hope she will come back again."
Carol Nurmi, Asst. DSA - Rochester Community & Technical College (MN)

"I was very pleased with Deidre's performance on Feb. 16th. I heard very positive comments from staff and students as well. She is extremely talented and has a wonderful sounding voice. She was very nice and pleasant to work with, too. And attendance was fine. Overall, we enjoyed having Deidre and her son visit our campus!"
Lisa Manuell, Student Involvement Specialist - Moraine Park Technical College - Beaver Dam (WI)

"Deidre was great to work with on Wednesday. Her show went well! She has a wonderful commanding presence and did not let the side conversations taking place in the Cafeteria break her composure at any time. Thank you for helping us bring her to our campus this semester!"
Lella Schaaf, Student Life Specialist - Lincoln Land Community College (IL)

"Deidre was fantastic! She probably is the best songwriter we've had for our coffeehouse series! The turnout was low, but Deidre performed as if it was a sellout! Definitely a great artist for our school!"
Steven Mencarini, Director of Student Activities - Lake Forest College (IL)

"Deidre McCalla did a really nice job and talked to the crowd as they came and went. I like the way she incorporated what was going on at our campus, plus she has a fantastic voice. Thanks for your help in making this event a big success!"
Connie Schaumberg, Student Involvement Specialist - Moraine Park Tech. - West Bend (WI)

"Deidre's performance was superb! I heard comments from students on on "good" she was. Personally she was wonderful to work with, very professional. I thoroughly enjoyed her music and the chance to talk with her. Thanks much for all your help."
Amy Mussell, Reference & Instruction Librarian - University of Wisconsin (Sheboygan)

"Deidre's show was great!!!!! We had a fabulous spring day (about 70 degrees) and so we had about 500 students who wandered by and heard all or part of the concert. Diedre was a pleasure to work with. She handled all of the set up and checked with us to make sure that the levels would not disturb any classes. She placed no demands on us. In short, she was a dream to work with and the committee felt that she fit the Women's Week billing exactly. I couldn't be more pleased!"
Steve Brady, Director of Student Activities - St. Louis Community College - Meramec (MO)

"Deidre was wonderful! She is very talented, my friend could not get over how great a voice she has. People were in the Union studying and looked like they stayed to hear her play. I got to watch her son and we played checkers (he won) and bingo. There was another activity going on while she was playing but people seemed to be listening to her and waiting in line. She is a very good performer and very talented, I was glad she could come to UNI."
Renee Pasker, Student Programmer - University of Northern Iowa (Cedar Falls)

"Everyone felt that Deidre is a very talented singer/songwriter and those that attended really enjoyed the experience. Her songwriting workshop was very good--and very inspiring for everyone. Great job!!"
Cindi Gilbert, Director of Student Activities - Anoka Ramsey Community College (MN)

"Deidre was wonderful! I received many positive comments from students as well as faculty & staff members. Our Student Activities Council was so impressed that they would like to have her back in the future. Thanks for sending her our way!"
John Brown, Director of Student Services - University of Wisconsin at Fond Du Lac (WI)

"Diedre was wonderful! She has such an amazing voice. Her show was great. The audience REALLY enjoyed it. One staff member is going to use one of her songs for a class to listen to (the one about "hey girl, this could be you")She is a Social Work professor."
Kerry Strupp, Director of Campus Life - Marian College (WI)

"Deidre was excellent! The turnout was so-so as far as numbers, but all that were present really liked her and requested her back again. She will be returning! Three students went out to lunch with her and Nia. He has really grown. He is a very well-mannered, nice young man."
Ann Fremont, Activities Advisor - Des Moines Area Community College (IA)

"Dierdre was wonderful. We had a good crowd and her performance was great. The audience seemed to enjoy the show and her music. Thanks for sending her our way!"
Tony Peyla, Director of Student Life - Rochester Community College (MN)

"Another smashing success here at the College of St. Benedict / St. John's University (With the voice of the guy who did "The Rich and The Famous"). We had between 60-80 people throughout the night and about 30 who stayed the entire time, which is really good. Thanks for all your help and I hope that Deidre thought it went as well as I did."
Greg Brandt, JEC Music Chair - College of St. Benedict-St. John’s University (MN)

"Deidre was great! She was very easy to work with and the audience loved her. I've had many compliments!!! Thanks! I'm sure I'll be in touch about future scheduling."
Becky Bourque, Student Activities Advisor - Wisconsin Indianhead and Technical College (WI)

"Diedre's show was great! She did an incredible job; got here early and had her PA set up in plenty of time. The students really enjoyed her show. Thanks, Michael"
Michael Sanseviro, DSL - Georgia Perimeter College, Lawrenceville

"Deidre McCalla was amazing. I appreciate you including Beloit College in her midwest tour. She was a pleasure to work with and her music is great.Thanks again,Audra "
Audra Cooke, Asst. Dean of Students - Beloit College (WI)

Interview (back to top)
Where did you grow up?
To paraphrase Mark Twain "The reports of my maturity have been greatly exaggerated!" My parents lived in The Bronx and the Queens sections of New York City.
However, from 7th through 12th grade I was shipped off to a Catholic boarding school. In many respects, I was raised by a pack of outrageously wild Dominican nuns in upstate New York. The school was in the same town as Sing Sing, a federal penitentiary. We considered it our brother school.

How did your childhood/upbringing influence your decision to be a musician?
I have been a ham since the age of six. One of my earliest memories is at a very young age standing up in a storefront church and performing "Jesus Is My Sunshine." Because of my older brother, I listened to a lot of Motown. Once the nun/boarding school thing happened, I was introduced to FM rock music. I think the blending of those two arenas is why I tend to have a stronger rhythmic sensibility than many singer-songwriters.

What other influences in your life encouraged you to pursue a career in music?
The politics of the 60's and 70's and the commitment of musicians like Joan Baez.

When did you start performing on the road?
Right after graduating from college my best friend and I bought a small PA and hit the road. She worked as my manager. We were heading to California but the Buick broke down in Nebraska. We stayed there about two years...

Is there a particular part of the music business you like the most (i.e. songwriting, touring, singing, etc.)?
The point of the songwriting, the touring, the promoting, the recording, the endless driving, the whatever, is to be onstage. The live performance is "The Thing." It's totally about communication with the audience. Nothing else comes close.

How often do you write?
Not often enough...

What do you like about touring on the college circuit?
Meeting kids who dress like I do and are listening to remake hits of songs I loved when I was in college.

What do you do to pass the time on the road when you're not performing?
Raise my son and catch up on paperwork.

How would you describe your music?
Contemporary Acoustic Folk.

Who do you consider to be your musical influences?
Joan Baez, Eric Anderson, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, Randy Newman, Smokey Robinson, The Temptations, Amie Mann, James Taylor, Patti LaBelle, Bonnie Raitt, Carole King, Steven Sondheim...

Do you have any formal training?
I am mostly self-taught though after college I attended the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music for two years majoring in jazz guitar.

What kind of music do you currently listen to?
Truth be known, I mostly listen to NPR news though lately I've discovered folk music streaming on the web and that has been a real find.

What other passions do you have besides music?
Home-schooling my son and studying Latin.

What advice would you give someone who wants to become a full-time musician?
Don't. But if you feel you must, then do it with passion and commitment or else there's no point...