If you’ve been following along with our SMF spotlight series, then you might have caught last week’s article featuring some of the festival’s musical entertainment.
“But wait, Aerik,” you might have said. “There’s two names there and you only posted the Q&A from one of them!”
Never fear, my friends, for today I shall give you the next set of answers!
If you’re just joining us on this journey, you can use any of the below links to catch up. Summer Magick Fest is going to have tons of great presenters, such as:
- Ivo Dominguez, Jr.
- Iya Funlayo E. Wood, PhD
- Ellen Evert Hopman
- Yeshe Matthews
- Sandra Tabatha Cicero & Chic Cicero
- Ginger Doss & Lynda Millard
And of course, I also had a chat with the wonderful women who organize the festival! If you haven’t already gotten your ticket(s) for SMF 2024, they’re on sale now. Look, if there is one thing that you accomplish today (other than reading this article, of course), then let that thing be buying your ticket. It’s worth it. I swear. Just go check the schedule.
So… more about the music!
Ginger Doss & Lynda Millard
Experience an uplifting set of music that will open your heart, realign your connection to the divine and leave your spirit recharged! The music of award winning singer-songwriter Ginger Doss (They/Them) transforms a life long spiritual quest into songs that range from funky tribal drumming to inspiring spiritual anthems. Joining them will be their long time musical cohort Lynda Millard whose breathtaking songs, amazing vocals, dazzling flute and bass thrill music lovers of all types. Together they have a harmonic grace and command of their instruments that can only come from years of playing and singing together. Drum, dance and journey on sparkling waves of musical bliss as they weave their melodic magic with rocking grooves and spine tingling harmonies that have earned them international acclaim.
Last week we heard from Ginger. This week we get to hear from Lynda. The usual way this goes is… I ask questions, I get answers, you read them, and everybody goes home happy!
Q&A
What’s the quick story of who you are, what tradition(s) you’re a part of, and how you got started on your spiritual path?
I have taken whatever felt like *Truth* to me, from every path I’ve walked, and formed what I call “Millardian Philosophy.” It has elements of everything I’ve studied and experienced, and it can change as I change, grow and evolve. I was raised in the Christian church, and had too many questions they just couldn’t answer. I started seeking knowledge wherever I could find it. I became interested in Paganism, and once I attended my first Pagan festival, I knew I’d found my tribe.
Can you give me a teaser of what to expect for your show at Summer Magick this year?
Most of our ‘Florida family’ remembers me and Ginger (Doss) from the early days of our bands, Velvet Hammer and Dreamtrybe. We’ve been a duo since the band days, and of course, we still perform the old favorites from that time! Our sound is hard to label, but many would say it’s got elements of progressive rock.
If someone is listening to your music for the first time, what songs should they start with?
I’m probably best known for two of my songs, “We Do Not Die” and “Blessed Be.” Both of those songs have elements of my Christian-to-Pagan transition, and I think a lot of other people can relate to that, too.
What’s your most memorable experience at a festival?
It’s really difficult to pick just one! I’ve had the honor of being in powerful rituals with Starhawk, Laurie Cabot, and so many other leaders in our community. Performing at festivals across the US and Canada for almost thirty years, I’ve found that every festival has its own community, its own energy and often, its own land – and each one is so very special.
Who has been highly influential in your own spiritual growth?
What catapulted me into the ‘New Age’ movement (and was the bridge to finding Paganism) was reading ‘Out on a Limb’ by Shirley MacLaine at a young age. That got me interested in metaphysics, and I read everything I could get my hands on, about Edgar Cayce, reincarnation, etc. Later on, I had the opportunity to study with Stuart Wilde, and that was truly a paradigm shift. Another seismic shift came from reading ‘Behaving as if the God in All Life Mattered’ by Machaelle Small Wright, which opened my eyes to Nature Intelligence, and how it works.
Aside from your concert, what workshop are you most looking forward to attending at Summer Magic
I’m embarrassed to say I have not even looked that far ahead, to see what’s being presented! I trust the ones I’m supposed to be at will let me know.
What’s the best place for people to find out more about you?
www.gingerdoss.com/lynda-millard
All of my recorded music can be found there!
Is there anything else you’d like to mention?
I’m really excited to share my new song with our Florida fam. It’s called ‘Marais des Cygnes’, about the river that runs through my little Kansas hometown. It has quite a story behind it. Ginger and I are finishing up the final touches on recording it, and it will be ready and available at Summer Magic!
Bonus Question: What’s your favorite way to combine music with spirituality?
As a very spiritual musician, I am blessed to be able to combine them by writing and performing songs that others in our tribe can relate to!
More about Summer Magick Fest 2024
Summer Magick Festival is an earth-based spirituality convention with workshops, celebration, and community in a comfortable hotel setting. Headliners, rituals, and musical entertainment have been chosen to encourage tolerance between the many different earth-based faiths and foster planetary stewardship. It’s a family-friendly event with programming for young ones as well as close proximity to all the wonders of the Orlando theme parks. Join us for a new kind of Florida festival!
With all of these cool headliners, the great community, and the awesome workshops, can you really think of a better place to spend one of your weekends in June?
So guys, I was watching The Hobbit again last night. I don’t know how many times I’ve watched it in total (somewhere more than 10 but less than 100 is the best estimate I can give you), but have you ever noticed how the dwarves are such great little singers? I mean really… go back and pay attention to their songs the next time you watch it. I don’t really vibe with a lot of the other aspects of dwarf life, at least not as I understand them, but things like this make me feel like we could all get along. I know this topic doesn’t have anything to do with the rest of the article, but sometimes that’s just how fine print works, okay?
Aerik Arkadian 
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