Ancient Lore-The Journey Home

MUSIC INSPIRED BY A DREAM

There are places in this world where magic still exists. In the mountains above Pigeon Forge, TN there is a village unlike any other. “The Ancient Lore Village” is a forty-acre theme-based resort in the rich fantasy tradition of Tolkien’s “Lord of The Rings”, JK Rowling’s “Harry Potter”, or even CS Lewis’ “Chronicles of Narnia”.  It is a creation of the visionary mind of man named Tom Boyd, and the village he conceived and built is based on his fantasy book: “Bokee’s Trek: Outcasts To Inner Earth”.

Disheartened by how he saw the world slowly sinking into intolerance and hatred, Mr. Boyd used fantasy characters in his book, each different in their own way, to illustrate how even in our differences, the noblest of human tenets still remain: kindness, empathy, compassion… and most importantly…love. He holds the mirror up to our face, to see ourselves, the differences and imperfections, and yet, there is more that binds us, one to another, than divides us.

The Village is more than just a commercial venture, it is a work of art, the magic birth of a dream coming to real life. Like the visionaries before him; Disney, Tolkien, Rowling, CS Lewis…and maybe even God himself--Tom Boyd, takes his place among all those visionaries who long to walk the streets of their own creation, and touch their own dreams. And in doing so, they take us with them.

Our visit to the Ancient Lore Village was short, but even before we left, I began feeling the creative ideas churning, the strains of musical themes running through my imagination. I have always been fascinated with Celtic Folk Music: —The Epic Fantasy Music of “Lord of the Rings”— The angelic music of the Celtic Woman; and so many others. The enchanting, ancient melodies seep into the soul like warm honey and remain there, untouched, as if they exist on their own island in time. It’s captivating…and perhaps I am not the only one. The ancient jewels of our past are nestled in the heart of a world that is still with us and very much alive, just waiting to be found. Finding Mr. Tom Boyd’s beautiful village on the side of a mountain was like that, and it captivated my imagination. And so a new musical journey began.

CREATING ANCIENT LORE-THE JOURNEY HOME 

I admit I did not read the book. I wanted the inspiration of those first moments to be the guide, and not the story itself. I envisioned a type of music that was more like a movie score than a simple song.

The idea took over a year of experimenting and trials to render seven and a half minutes of music and video. I even experimented with Shakespearian lexicon to perfect the meter and the timing of the lyrics, to keep it in sync with the old-world concept. I wanted the vocals to be simple, to not overshadow the orchestral score, which is wonderfully captured by the “In Search of Wonder Digital Orchestra,” under my direction. Starting from scratch with only an idea can be a real challenge, but now, a year and a month later, I am done.

EPILOGUE:

Dreams are not easy, they never are. But it is the dreamer, the visionary, and all those who march to a different drummer, like Disney, like Tolkien… and even Tom Boyd, who enrich our lives in ways that we seldom realize.  What makes a dreamer dream? A creator create? I don’t know. I venture to think that most of us don’t know. But the one thing I do know and believe— a line from the new movie “Willy Wonka”, “Every good thing in this world started with a dream.”

My own thought- “The meek may inherit the earth, but the dreamers will make it worth inheriting. “

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

*This music was not created in conjunction with The Ancient Lore Village. It is a standalone fantasy piece only inspired by the Ancient Lore Village. The information presented comes directly from the Ancient Lore Village websites. The graphics used ARE NOT of the Ancient Lore Village. They are artistic works submitted by a number of talented artists who helped me create a platform for the YOUTUBE sight.

The video exists in two parts. First the actual song itself with lyrics, followed by an instrumental version with some amazing graphic overlays. It is worth watching to the very end. 

WHO IS KIM MICHAEL? 

I am a classically trained, award winning, musician/songwriter, novelist, and businessman. I worked on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, in the 1970-80s, co-owned Starlike Production Company in mountains above Los Angeles, CA: moved to Nashville where I worked in the Medical Industry, while writing books and articles for national magazines, and then moved to East Tennessee, where I created the “In Search of Wonder Digital Orchestra”—an off shoot of my popular website: In Search of Wonder-Kim Michael.

SITES OF INTEREST: 

WEBSITES: KIM-MICHAEL-AUTHOR.COM—In Search of Wonder

The Ancient Lore Village: https://www.ancientlorevillage.com/ 

TAGS: #Ancient Lore, #Celtic Folk Music, #Epic Fantasy Music,#Lord of the Rings Music, # Celtic Women Music, #Rioverdace Music