Motherlode - The Artists

We started performing in 1980, back when an all-woman folk band was somewhat of a novelty. Festivals, booking agents, and record stores categorized our albums as "women's music." "Exactly what is women's music?" we wondered, as we continued to write honestly and openly about our lives. Five albums later, in retrospect, we believe that we have been making women's music all along by writing about our own experiences of relationships, motherhood, political activism, loss, changes, and more. Through it all we remain a family.

Nan
Nan Collie Nan teaches health and drug and alcohol awareness to high schoolers in Portland, Oregon and drives a tractor on her Beavercreek tree-farm in her spare time.

Janet lives in Bellingham, Washington, and is a sign language interpreter for the deaf and deaf/blind.
Janet Peterson

Marie Eaton Marie lives in Bellingham, Washington and is the dean of an alternative college.

Kathleen lives in an farmhouse in Canby, Oregon. She spends her time working in her pottery studio, traveling and studying Spanish.
Kathleen Fallon

Photos by Russell Johnson