Classic Music Saved Me with the incredible Mary Gauthier

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Classic Music Saved Me with the Incredible Mary Gauthier"

Podcast Information

• Title: takin' a walk
• Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts
• Description: The "takin' a walk" MUSIC HISTORY ON FOOT podcast is hosted by Buzz Knight, a media executive and consultant, who shares his passion for music by exploring its history, stories, and insights through conversations with various guests.
• Episode Title: Classic Music Saved Me with the Incredible Mary Gauthier
• Release Date: May 7, 2025

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Introduction

In this compelling episode of "Music Saved Me," Buzz Knight welcomes the esteemed singer-songwriter and author, Mary Gauthier. The conversation delves into Mary’s profound connection to music, her journey as an artist, and the transformative power of songwriting in her life and the lives of her listeners.

Mary Gauthier’s Journey into Music

Mary Gauthier opens up about her path to becoming a dedicated musician, emphasizing that music became her sanctuary post-recovery. She reflects on the gradual realization that songwriting was more than a hobby—it was her purpose and a means to process the world around her.

Mary Gauthier [02:45]: "It became purpose. It became a way of processing the world. And my life became a way of connecting and building empathy, building bridges. I'm all about bridges, not walls."

The Power of Music and Alchemy

Mary introduces the concept of "alchemy" in music—a transformative process where darkness is turned into light. She draws a parallel between the ancient practice of turning coal into diamonds and the way music can convert personal pain into something beautiful and universally relatable.

Mary Gauthier [05:01]: "That's taking darkness and turning it into light. That's alchemy. And if you want to take it to another level of discussion and call it supernatural, I'm not gonna say no to it. It's transformative."

Navigating Personal Themes in Songwriting

Mary discusses the delicate balance between sharing personal experiences and crafting songs that resonate broadly. She explains that by delving into the "deeply personal" aspects of human experience rather than the mundane, her music connects with listeners on a fundamental level.

Mary Gauthier [06:40]: "The deeply personal reality is not something we talk about at cocktail parties. Sometimes we never even talk about it with our family. And the deeply personal is where we intersect in this life."

Music as a Saving Grace: Influences and Impact

Mary shares a diverse array of musical influences that have provided solace and strength throughout her life. From Iggy Pop and John Prine to Lucinda Williams and Tyler Childers, she highlights how various artists across genres have shaped her resilience and artistic expression.

Mary Gauthier [09:35]: "There’s a list that goes on and on and on, and we hold on. I hold on to these songwriters and their songs with dear life sometimes, for dear life sometimes."

The Therapeutic Nature of Songwriting

Exploring the therapeutic aspects of her craft, Mary clarifies that while songwriting aids her in processing emotions and finding clarity, it complements rather than replaces professional therapy. She underscores the importance of vulnerability and authenticity in her work.

Mary Gauthier [12:59]: "The clarifying process of songwriting for me is very therapeutic. Now, not everybody writes that way, and they don't see this art form as a way of doing that."

Deep Dive: "Mercy Now"

Mary delves into her song "Mercy Now," explaining its origins and enduring resonance. Written in 2002 amidst significant historical events, the song captures her internal response to turmoil without being confined to specific external happenings, allowing it to remain relevant across different contexts.

Mary Gauthier [14:56]: "What I tried to write about, and I think I successfully did, was what was going on inside of me as a response to that."

Connection with Audience and Gratitude

Reflecting on the emotional connections forged through her music, Mary expresses profound gratitude for the opportunity to impact lives. She recounts the courage it took to pursue songwriting later in life and the fulfillment derived from knowing her music provides comfort to others.

Mary Gauthier [17:47]: "I feel grateful. I feel deeply connected to purpose. I feel as though I'm one of the lucky ones that figured out what to do with my life and how to do it."

Conclusion

Buzz Knight wraps up the episode by acknowledging Mary Gauthier’s humility and the significant difference she makes through her music. Mary extends her gratitude for being featured and reinforces her commitment to creating songs that resonate and heal.

Podcast Host [19:33]: "Thank you for your selflessness of sharing your music with the world and helping them during their time as well."

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Mary Gauthier [01:06]: "There's a thing that happens in music and song that is hard to explain. Why does a sad song make you feel happy?"
• Mary Gauthier [05:01]: "That's taking darkness and turning it into light. That's alchemy."
• Mary Gauthier [06:40]: "The deeply personal is where we intersect in this life."
• Mary Gauthier [09:35]: "I hold on to these songwriters and their songs with dear life sometimes."
• Mary Gauthier [12:59]: "The clarifying process of songwriting for me is very therapeutic."
• Mary Gauthier [14:56]: "I tried to write about what was going on inside of me as a response to that."
• Mary Gauthier [17:47]: "I feel grateful... I'm really, really happy with where it's taken me and what I do."

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Final Thoughts

This episode of "Music Saved Me" offers an intimate look into Mary Gauthier’s life and artistry. Through heartfelt dialogue, Mary illustrates how music serves as both a personal refuge and a universal bridge, fostering empathy and healing within herself and her audience. Her insights highlight the indispensable role of authentic storytelling in songwriting and the enduring power of music to transform and connect lives.

Transcript

[Mary Gauthier]

You're listening to an iHeart podcast.

[Talkspace Ad Narrator]

This podcast is supported by Talkspace.

[Military Spouse]

When my husband came home from his military deployment, readjusting was hard for all of us. Thankfully, I found Talkspace.

[Talkspace Ad Narrator]

Talkspace provides professional support from licensed therapists and psychiatric providers online. Military members, veterans and their dependents ages 13 and older can get fast access to providers, all from the privacy of their computers or smartphones.

[Military Spouse]

I just answered a few questions online and Talkspace matched me with a therapist. We meet when it's convenient for me and I can message her anytime. It was so easy to set up and they accept Tricare. Therapy was going so well, my husband and I started seeing a couple's therapist through Talkspace too.

[Talkspace Ad Narrator]

Talkspace works with most major insurers, including Tricare. Match with a licensed therapist [e-mail] military go to talkspace.com military to get started today. That's talkspace.com military.

[Podcast Host]

Music saved me we're.

[Mary Gauthier]

Dealing with alchemy here. Alchemy is an ancient form of magic, but it can be explained in some ways. I would say maybe turning coal into a diamond is alchemy. There is a thing that happens in music and song that is hard to explain. Why does a sad song make you feel happy? That taking darkness and turning it into light, that's alchemy.

[Podcast Host]

This podcast is called Music Saved Me and on each episode we'll look at a musician. We'll delve into their story, their deep connection to music. We'll talk with their fans, everyday people with their own story to tell about how music has saved them in challenging times. Today we have the privilege of talking with a remarkable, remarkable artist and author. Mary Gaucher is best known for her soul stirring songs that have touched the hearts of so many. She's not only a talented singer songwriter, but also the author of the captivating book Saved by a Song and how perfect for her to join us today. In this episode, we'll explore the incredible journey of this acclaimed musician, her profound connection to songwriting, and the powerful tales of redemption and transformation that have shaped her artistry. Mary what? Welcome to Music Saved Me. It's so great to have you here.

[Mary Gauthier]

Oh, I'm excited to be here.

[Podcast Host]

In your book Saved by a Song, you talk about the profound impact that music has had on your life. Can you share with us a specific moment when you realized that music saved you?

[Mary Gauthier]

Well, honestly, I think it's been more of a process than an event. But there came a point as a songwriter as I took it more and more seriously and decided to really Dedicate my life to it as a person who came to it later in life. It wasn't my first career. It wasn't even. I didn't take it in as a career, actually. It was something I did on the side after I got sober, and I began to take it more and more seriously. So it's my second career. And I guess there was a point, a couple of records in, where I realized, my goodness, this is more than what it looks like on the surface. For me, it became purpose. It became a way of processing the world. And my life became a way of connecting and building empathy, building bridges. I'm all about bridges, not walls. I think that my awareness of the power of song is continuing. The magnitude of the power of song is amazing to me. What he can do. I was just at a thing I'd never done before. It was a storytelling festival, and somebody was wearing a shirt, and he said, the shortest distance between two strangers is a story well told.

[Podcast Host]

Beautiful.

[Mary Gauthier]

I think as a songwriter, I would certainly agree. And I might say the shortest distance between two strangers is a story. Song well told.

[Podcast Host]

Absolutely. Absolutely. You were just speaking of the power of music, how tremendous it is. I have to ask you. It sounds a little weird, but I don't think so. Do you feel that music has supernatural healing powers?

[Mary Gauthier]

Well, yes. I would characterize it like this. We're dealing with alchemy here. Alchemy is an ancient form of magic, but it can be explained in some ways. I would say maybe turning coal into a diamond is alchemy. It can be looked at scientifically. The pressure. The pressure. The pressure of the pressure transforms coal into diamonds. There is a thing that happens in music and song that is hard to explain. Why does a sad song make you feel happy? What is it that this art form brings that allows some of the worst things that ever happened to a songwriter to be sung and in that interaction or in that action, turned into something beautiful that other people will thank us for singing. That is taking darkness and turning it into light. That's alchemy. And if you want to take it to another level of discussion and call it supernatural, I'm not gonna say no to it. It's transformative.

[Podcast Host]

Your songs deal with deeply personal and emotional themes. How do you navigate that? It's a fine line between sharing your own personal experiences and also making your music and songs relatable. To a wide.

[Mary Gauthier]

Good point. Here's what I teach and here's what I understand. The personal is pretty boring. It's just my little life, my little Diary. My little comings and goings and interactions with people that went well or poorly. Nobody cares about my personal. I mean I'm. I mean we care about celebrities personal just as gawkers. But. But here's where I can get people interested is if I go two or three flights down from the personal and enter the deeply personal. I think this is where we all meet. We all meet at what it means to be human. And that deeply personal reality is not something we talk about at cocktail parties. Sometimes we never even talk about it with our family. And the deeply personal is where we intersect in this life. And I think great artists articulate that and people find each other there. That is what's interesting. I always say to my students that songs are great places to tell your secrets. Not personal secrets, not who kissed who or who cheated on who, but what you truly genuinely feel about what's transpiring in your life and in the world and your confusion and your alarm and your empathy and your own day to day experiences of life. In a way, it's where we go in and take our guard down. You know, it requires vulnerability.

[Podcast Host]

It does. And sharing with people, even if it's not your specific story, it makes them feel that they're not the only one.

[Mary Gauthier]

That's it. That's the job. The job of the songwriter is to get the listener to go, mary, play my song. They take ownership of the story because it is their story. One of my songwriting heroes and, and a man I traveled with for a bit was a songwriter from Texas named Guy Clark. And he used to say, look, we're all living the same life. We just hit the marks at different times, at different points. What it means to be human is true for all humans. We share the human condition.

[Podcast Host]

So true. Many people, obviously, as we're talking about this turn to music during difficult times in their life. I have, everyone I know has at some point in time. Can you tell us? I think you just did a song or a particular artist that has been a saving grace for you in your life.

[Mary Gauthier]

Oh God, there's hundreds.

[Podcast Host]

Maybe a few.

[Mary Gauthier]

Yeah, there's hundreds different times in my life. So many. And you wouldn't expect, like I would say, Iggy Pop and the Carpenters.

[Podcast Host]

Interesting.

[Mary Gauthier]

You wouldn't expect that from a folks like me. There's a time Green on red, Iggy Pop, the Violent films, Lou Reed. I'm listening and holding on for dear life. There's a time Karen Carpenter's vocals resonated so deeply something in her voice. I felt her, I think her tragedy was in her voice, and it resonated her strength and her situation. She was a woman trapped in a time that was very, very hard to be a woman, much less a woman drummer. You know, she. She broke a lot of stereotypes, and I think that the pain was in her voice. It resonated for me. So. So I went through a lot with the Carpenters and. And those early. Early punk bands, you know, the Clash, the. The anger of some of the Iggy stuff in the early days. And I always, always, always turn to John Prine as well. His sense of humor, his ability to see the light inside the darkness. So many Leonard Cohen songs, Bob Dylan songs. Bruce Springsteen really has been an important artist for me. And then people in my own genre, you know, Lucinda Williams, Steve Earle, Emmylou Harris. The younger ones that are coming up now speak to me too. Tyler Childers, Sturgill Simpson. They're a lot younger than me, but they're really resonating. The list is endless. It goes on and on and on, and we hold on. I hold on to these songwriters and their songs with dear life sometimes, for dear life sometimes.

[Podcast Host]

And still to this day, you'll think, tap back into that when needed for yourself.

[Mary Gauthier]

Yeah, Toby Keith's got a song I can't stop listening to. Don't Let the Old Man In.

[Podcast Host]

It's the best. I love him. Oh, my goodness.

[Mary Gauthier]

As he battles stomach cancer and fights for his health and his life. This is a saying that he picked up on, that he wrote a song about. And it's a Clint Eastwood like, hey, man, you're 91 years old. How the hell do you still make movies? And Clint said, don't let the old man in. And it's resonant for me. You know, I'm 61 years old, but sometimes the old man or the old woman comes knocking, and you gotta answer the door and go, we're not doing this today. Yeah, that song, I'm. Repeat, repeat, repeat. How old would you be if you didn't know the day you were born? What a line.

[Podcast Host]

So powerful.

[Mary Gauthier]

What a line. What a song. It's not just a song. It's life instruction.

[Podcast Host]

And one other little bit of advice is just taking down all the mirrors in the house. Tell me, Mary, describe songwriting. Why is it a therapeutic process?

[Mary Gauthier]

I like that distinction. You know, a lot of folks say, well, you're doing therapy. Like, no, I'm not doing therapy. Not with songwriting. I do therapy with my therapist. But songwriting is therapeutic in that it helps process. There's a processing that happens When I write a song, that helps bring some clarity, but it doesn't free me from having the need for therapeutic help. And when I do have that need, and I've had it for many, many, many years, I'll speed dial my therapist and get back in there. I don't do it as often as I did, but she's there, and I know her number. But the process of writing a song is trying, for me, trying to find clarity. And I think maybe that's what therapy is as well, is looking for clarity for sanity and reality and making decisions based on solid perceptions. You know, it's the misperception of the world and the misperception of what's happening that creates dysfunction and sometimes mental illness. And so the clarifying process of songwriting for me is very therapeutic. Now, not everybody writes that way, and they don't see this art form as. As a way of doing that. You know, there's so many different approaches, and everybody's welcome, and you can do it your own way. I'm not endorsing or saying this is how it should be done. I'm just saying this is how I do it.

[Podcast Host]

Your song Mercy now has resonated with countless listeners. Tell us about the inspiration behind the powerful song and why you think it is connected with so many people on such a deep level.

[Mary Gauthier]

You know, that continues to amaze me. A song that I wrote in 2002. People come up to me every night when I play with tears in their eyes and say, that song, that song, it keeps reinventing itself. That song, it keeps reactivating itself. I wrote it in such a way that it didn't intrinsically get caught in political events of the year 2002. I think it's a good example of getting past the personal into the deeply personal so that it didn't attach itself to the specific going ons of that time. But what inspired it was the specific going ons of that time. I knew enough about songwriting at that point to know that I wanted this to be a bigger song than. Than what was. What it would be if I said exactly what I was referencing. It was inspired by the US response to 9 11. It was inspired by the spotlight report reports on the rampant child sexual abuse in the parishes of Boston, the horrific number of priests in handcuffs being arrested for child abuse. I lived in Boston at that time. It was mortifying. At the time, the current dictator of North Korea's father was testing nuclear weapons. It was inspired by that, but I didn't reference that that was what was happening. If you Open the newspaper. But what I tried to write about, and I think I successfully did, was what was going on inside of me as a response to that.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, I was. I. Just to let you know, I'm. I'm from Boston as well, and I was there during that time. So that was amazing music and song and. And just a wonderful thing to put out there in terms of being able to help people figure out how to deal with all of this stuff. It's just. It was at. It was an unbelievable time.

[Mary Gauthier]

It was an unbelievable time. And what I was doing, and I didn't know I was doing it, was trying to help me deal with it.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. Yeah. But don't they always say a lot of times when you try to figure stuff out for yourself, you don't even realize that it's gonna resonate with so many people? Which leads me to my next question. You had mentioned about mercy now, and people still come to you and with tears in their eyes. It has such a unique ability, music, to bring people together. How does it make you feel when you see that impact on your audience while you're performing or even after, when they come to you after? How does that make you feel?

[Mary Gauthier]

I feel grateful. I feel deeply connected to purpose. I feel as though I'm one of the lucky ones that figured out. It took a while. I didn't figure it out first off, right out of the shoot, but I figured out what to do with my life that I was put here to do, and I'm doing it. And it's a real gift to know what to do with your life and how to do it and then to do it. That really makes me feel, I guess, grateful. Overall, the overarching experience of my songs resonating with listeners in me is gratitude. Because it took a lot of courage to walk away from my restaurants at 40 years old and become a songwriter. Took a lot of courage for me to say, you know what? I did that, and now I'm going to do this. And it may or may not work, but I'm going to try, and I've got to try. I don't want to be on my deathbed going, I wish I'd have tried. So I gave it my all and somehow I crossed the threshold somewhere over the. Over the first four, five, six records that gave me this sense that I get to do this as long as I want to, that they're not going to take it away from me, that it's working. And the goal was not to be a star, but the goal was to be able to support and sustain myself by writing songs. And that has worked out to be true. I manifested that and I don't need more. I have enough. I'm grateful for that too. I'm not always grabbing for more. I'm really, really happy with where it's taken me and what I do.

[Podcast Host]

Well, we are so happy for you and grateful that you joined us today to share your story about music and how it's impacted your life. And thank you for your selflessness of sharing your music with the world and helping them during their time as well. You don't mention it enough, but you do make a big difference for a lot of people and you're very humble about it. And thank you so much for coming on. Music saved me, Mary, and good luck with everything you're doing in the future and I hope our paths cross again.

[Mary Gauthier]

Hey, thanks for having me on. I appreciate it.

[Podcast Host]

Musicians On Call is a charity that is perfectly aligned with the mission of this podcast, delivering the healing power of music music since 1999. Why not become a volunteer or supporter.

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By going to musiciansoncall.org this podcast is supported by Talkspace.

[Military Spouse]

When my husband came home from his military deployment, readjusting was hard for all of us. Thankfully, I found Talkspace.

[Talkspace Ad Narrator]

Talkspace provides professional support from licensed therapists and psychiatric providers online. Military members, veterans and their dependents ages 13 and older can get fast access to providers, all from the privacy of their computers or smartphones.

[Military Spouse]

I just answered a few questions online and Talkspace matched me with a therapist. We meet when it's convenient for me and I can message her anytime. It was so easy to set up and they accept Tricare. Therapy was going so well, my husband and I started seeing a couple's therapist through Talkspace too.

[Talkspace Ad Narrator]

Talkspace works with most major insurers, including Tricare. Match with a licensed therapist [e-mail] military go to talkspace.com military to get started today. That's talkspace.com military you're listening to an iHeart podcast.