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Paige grew up in Charlton Heights, West Virginia. In 1969 at the height of the Vietnam war, he began trekking around the US and Canada, including Alaska,
and in 1973 began writing about his experiences in songs and poetry.
In these songs, you'll see another side of Paige's artistry. His music,
like his photographs and poetry, is distinctive and unique, and will stir your senses.
Paige’s concerns include
environmental preservation. He is active in Coal River Mountain Watch, an environmental
watchdog group located in Whitesville West Virginia.
He draws much of his inspiration
from events around him. He has just released a new album, entitled “Solid
Pearl”. The song "The Pearl" was written for his friends at Coal River Mountain Watch to express his concerns
over the practice of mountain top removal in West Virginia.
We hope you enjoy the following samples from Paige's latest recordings.
Paige's latest album, "Solid Pearl", as well as selected individual songs are available from this website. Click here to purchase.
Reviews for 'Solid Pearl'
Matt Burdette, Graffiti, August 23-30, 2006
John Lilly, editor of Goldenseal,
a folklife magazine for West Virginia, says ....
“I’ve listened to ‘Church Bells at Sago’ several times, and really enjoy it. I
think T. Paige has captured the experience from the miners’ perspective in a very creative way. It turns into
an uplifting song, despite the grim circumstances.”
“The Pearl” review by Ross Ballard
II
A piece that is at once both a song of defiance and tribute, T. Paige has found his voice. He reminds
us that we cannot allow the continuation of the destruction of our beautiful pearl (WV) by out-of-state conglomerates.
I think Pete Seeger would be very proud of the “passion to the people” spirit of “The Pearl”.
“The Church Bells at Sago” Review by Ross Ballard II
Here
is the song that captures so much emotion, so much pain, and so much of the tragic story of what happened on that terrible
day when 12 loving, hardworking miners were treated as “items” in a WV coal mine. That day the world got
a glimpse of West Virginia’s epic fight against corporate greed.
Steve Fesenmaier, former head
of the West Virginia Library Commission Film Services
says ...
Mr.
Dalporto is a many-talented artist, writing original songs for the just released audio book of “Miners March”
along with publishing a very nice book that collects some of his poems and photographs. He loaned me a copy of his excellent
paperback book, “It’s Still a Wonder Just Being Here” that includes poems written between 1981 to 1999.
He took most of the photographs around his home in the upper Kanawha Valley between 1989 to 1999. All of the photos are beautiful,
simple, and sincere. I particularly enjoyed the two color photographs of Smithers and Alloy. His poems are likewise beautiful,
simple and sincere. Dalporto has traveled around the United States, living in
Alaska, Nashville and other locations before returning home to Charlton Heights. He is active in the anti-MTR movement. He
just received word that two of his works, “The Pearl” and “Railroad” have been accepted for publication
in Blair Mountain Press' new book, due out this October---“Coal: A Poetry Anthology”.
Pam Payne, a fan, from Beckley WV says ...
I enjoyed the whole damn thing. And I've let everyone listen
to it. I wanted to tell you just how good I think it is. I've heard you sing "Church Bells" live, and liked the
chorus, because you know with my hearing and seeing, that's about all I could make out. So I lisented closely to the
words. Damn it is good. The emotion and the depth of feelings that you
sang in the song, is soooooo very touching. The words are felt. I love it. I am your greatest fan.
Press here to purchase Paige's latest album "Solid Pearl" !
Press here for more about Paige's moving tribute to the
Sago miners - "Church Bells at Sago"
Press here to hear samples from Paige's latest
CD "Solid Pearl".
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