Today we’d like to introduce you to Jim Newton
Hi Jim, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
After leading, performing, recording and traveling with several folk/pop/progressive country/light rock groups over the previous decade, in 1983 I was touring the country as a solo artist performing concerts and story-telling for youth and young adults in churches and college campus ministry settings. In March of that year, I was doing a weekend youth event at North Broadway UMC in Columbus, Ohio – and on Saturday afternoon of that weekend I met a couple who were youth sponsors. As we visited in some time between my sessions with their group, they told me about having lost their young son to cancer some years before. They also told me that, in memory and honor of their son, they were active in a parental support group at Columbus Children’s Hospital (now Nationwide Children’s). And they asked me if I would be willing to go and sing for the kiddos and families at the hospital the next afternoon. This really surprised me, and though I was worn out and weary from two weeks on the road & did not feel I had an appropriate repertoire for children, I could not bring myself to say no – so I said, “Sure, if you can set it up I’ll be glad to go”…
Well, they did set it up and the next afternoon I found myself in a lobby area singing for a small group of kids, family members and hospital staff. I remember how awkward I felt – with elevator doors opening and closing behind me, and a repertoire of songs which fell far short of what I thought kids would enjoy. But as unlikely as it seemed to me, the group really enjoyed the songs I brought that afternoon – and after I was done I walked around and greeted the kids and caregivers as they left the area. But just as I was putting my guitar back in the case, a nurse came hurrying up to me – she said, “Please Jim, there is one little boy who was too ill to join the group – would you go and sing a song in his room?” Once again, reluctantly, I agreed. The nurse led me down the hall and into the little boy’s room – he was very ill looking and his mom appeared completely worn out, with bags and tear stains under her eyes. The nurse said, “This is Jim – he is going to sing and play the guitar for you and make you feel better!” And she left and shut the door to the room. I just thought I felt awkward before – the pressure was on, for me to make them feel better – and for them to feel better! So I sang a song – when I finished I got no response at all – they felt as uncomfortable as I did. So, not knowing how to gracefully excuse myself, I sang another song – and about halfway through, this little boy began to have just the hint of a smile around the corners of his mouth. Thinking I might be getting somewhere with him, I rolled right into a third song – and he immediately broke out in a huge smile, clapping his hands as best he could to the music! When his mom saw that smile, she began to quietly cry – and that got me started, so I kind of blubbered my way through the rest of the song. With the ice broken, we talked for awhile – and when I had to leave to prepare for my evening concert at the church, the mom walked me to the door. She said, “I don’t believe we will be able to take him home this time – it looks like we are going to lose him. But you have given us a priceless gift today and I can’t thank you enough!” As I left that room, it was like a light bulb went off in my brain – if the music could make that much difference, in spite of my reluctance and lack of preparation, then perhaps this is where I belonged. My experience in that Ohio hospital immediately changed the course of my life and career!!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
In some ways my career path has been smooth, and in others quite rocky. When I returned to Texas after my trip to Ohio, I told my Celebration Shop (later to be called ‘Hugworks’ and now ‘KidLinks’) nonprofit board about my experience – and how I felt called to explore a new direction, serving kids with special medical and emotional needs. They immediately loved the idea – and so for the next couple of years as I traveled the country, I contacted and interviewed Child Life Specialists in dozens of hospitals, and I sang with as many kids as they would let me entertain while there. I also convinced my musical partner, Paul G. Hill, to join the effort and we began to write songs based on what I was learning about the plight of severely, chronically and terminally-ill children. My board members, the children’s hospital professionals, and Paul Hill made the initial career-change journey a smooth one – but figuring out how to fund the travel, personnel and recording costs proved to be somewhat rocky. I knew we needed some well-known artist to join our team, in order to get folks’ attention and raise funds – and in 1985 that opportunity presented itself. I had always loved ‘Peter, Paul & Mary’s’ music, and was particularly drawn to Noel Paul Stookey’s warm vocals. Plus I heard from a Nashville artist friend that Noel liked working on children’s projects. So, I finagled a way to play for a patron’s reception after one of his ‘Bodyworks Band’ (a group Noel played churches and festivals with when off the road with ‘PP&M’). As I stood over in the corner of the reception and entertained, I noticed that Noel would look over at me now and then. And being the kind soul he is, when most folks had left he came over to me and said, “Gee, sorry you had to play over here all alone while folks came to visit with me and the band – your music is quite good!” I immediately told him that I had come just to get his attention – that I was creating a project for hospitalized kids, and that I hoped he would be willing to consider joining our team. As he looked on with a bit of shock on his face, I finished with, “Please, just give me an hour of your time to share our plan with you, anytime in the next 6 months – I will meet you anywhere you say!” He seemed intrigued and curious, and told me he would give me that hour as soon as his tour coordinator and I could work it out. It took a couple of months, but I got that hour before a ‘PP&M’ concert in Dallas, and Noel Paul Stookey immediately became our Executive Producer and songwriting partner! His notoriety helped smooth the road for our fundraising and got the attention of a number of additional “angels” who have joined our team to help in many ways over the years!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Noel Paul Stookey’s influence on Paul G. Hill, myself and others on our songwriting/recording team has been extraordinary! It should come as no surprise that one who is so talented and experienced simply pulls other team members upward to new heights of capability and accomplishment – and that has been a true win for our nonprofit mission’s success. Noel has been a mainstay as Executive Producer ever since 1985 and he remains actively supportive these days as ‘Artistic Advisor Emeritus’ (even at age 87!). Three of our projects have received ‘Parents’ Choice Awards’ plus a number of other accolades/awards. Our creative songwriting is unique, as it flows from the guidance of early childhood education and healthcare professionals – we always have, and always will have our Pro Review Team vet each and every song for therapeutic content and age-appropriateness prior to our recording or making use of the songs we compose and collect in our direct services. We are not aware of another organization which creates therapeutic resources for children with this level of care and due diligence. Our organization’s longevity is another fact which sets us apart – first as Celebration Shop – then Hugworks – and now, KidLinks – we have served specially-challenged children now for 42 years, and counting! March 13, 2025 marks exactly 42 years since I first sang for hospitalized children in Columbus, OH!!
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I was fortunate to be a popular “jock” and a good student, growing up. My mother and maternal grandmother were both teachers so I was required to hit the books in a serious way. And my grandmother (Ivy Rasberry from Rosebud, TX – can you believe it?!?) programed me from an early age to make a mark in this world – she would routinely tell me, “Jim, I don’t know what you will do in your life, but you are so good and smart that I know you will make this world a better place.” I was a regular at our church youth group and enjoyed singing in choirs and a barber shop quartet at school as I grew up. After playing one year of college football (at the University of New Mexico) I transferred to McMurry College in Abilene, TX to study philosophy and religion (and begin to play guitar and join a folk group) – then on to seminary at Southern Methodist University (playing in a number of musical groups on the side). All the way through my schooling I stayed active with my musical life – and eventually found a way to do my best to live out my ‘grammy’s’ mandate through providing therapeutic music for specially-challenged kids – once I discovered this mission I never looked back!
Pricing:
- KidLinks provides all our direct services free of charge to kids and families – and our KidLinks.org online site can be streamed 24-7 at no cost to kids, families and professional caregivers worldwide!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kidlinks.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kid_links/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheKidLinks
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kidlinks
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/KidLinks
