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J. G. Lightborne
Jonathan Graham earned his pen name, J. G. Lightborne, during the 1980s on the island of Bermuda where he performed as a folk singer for more than three years. Today, J. G. lives a...view moreJonathan Graham earned his pen name, J. G. Lightborne, during the 1980s on the island of Bermuda where he performed as a folk singer for more than three years. Today, J. G. lives and works in Wausau, Wisconsin, where he is still performing folk, country, and rock music. He also writes and records his own original music as well as making digital recordings for other musician friends and singers in the Central Wisconsin area. J. G. is a substitute teacher for three local school districts, specializing in working with four-year-old and kindergarten children as well as special-needs children. When not writing, performing, or teaching J. G. thoroughly enjoys cross-country skiing on the snowy trails of the north woods of Wisconsin. This is the primary inspiration of this work, A Bright, Cold Sunny Day.
He’s the grandson of author Lorenz Graham Sr., who wrote books for teenagers about growing up black. Lightborne’s father, Lorenz Graham Jr., earned his living as a folk guitarist in the late ’60s and ’70s. The younger Lorenz Graham performed historical songs from the 1860s and 1870s that reflected the slave period and reconstruction.
Lightborne, sixty-five, likes to think the spirits of both men are with him when he performs. The link to his father is obvious—Lorenz Graham Jr. taught him how to play and gave him a Martin guitar when he was twelve years old.
The connection between Lightborne’s writing and his grandfather is every bit as significant. After a stint in Africa as a missionary, Lightborne’s grandfather wrote children’s books that helped preserve black culture, with some set in Africa, some set in the United States.
Now Lightborne hopes to continue the legacy of his grandfather through his new children’s book, A Bright, Cold Sunny Day.
Lightborne also carries on the legacy of both his father and his grandfather by doing children’s concerts. He’s been singing as Mr. Graham Crackers for the Wausau School District’s four-year-old kindergarten program for the past ten years.
Lightborne’s aunt, Ruth Graham Siegrist, a professor emeritus of California State University at Fullerton, works to preserve the work of Lorenz Graham Sr. She’s happy that Lightborne is continuing the work of his grandfather by writing for children and also performing at children’s concerts. “I just love Jonathan,” she said. “And he’s a great singer.”
Writing and performing for children is a joy for J. G. “I really love their energy,” he said. “They know if you’re a phony. They know if you’re not for real.”view less