Meet the Owners
Meet the owners of the Stone Mountain Arts Center. Carol Noonan and Jeff Flagg.
Noonan the Musician
Noonan, being a musician herself and having knowledge of touring first hand, wanted to do it better than what she found was a growingly careless circuit. There are and were fewer owner-operated venues, and the lack of attention to detail for the artist as well as the audience was, she felt, fostering lackluster results. Noonan’s music life has been a journey from studying voice at the New England Conservagtory, to adult contemporary/ singer songwrter genre with indy and major label signings (Island and Rounder)resulting in multiple recordings under her belt. These days she is the chief cook and bottle washer and on occasion hangs up her apron and puts on her guitar for a show with the Stone Mountain band. The band features her two good friends, Duke Levine and Kevin Barry who have played with her for over 30 years and enjoy coming up to the Maine woods to do shows when she can fit one in.
Jeff the Net Builder
Jeff had a successful commercial fishing net business, building ground fish nets for a large fleet of boats out of the New England coast harbors. Based out of Portland originally, when they got the house in Brownfield, he decided to downsize, and build a barn on their property to work from home. Little did he know years later that very barn would be the Stone Mountain Arts Center. Jeff is a self-made carpenter who learned to do whatever job had to be done. He would learn how to do it rather than hiring out. Carol jokes, his “thriftiness” made him learn how to do everything we needed done.
Here is what critics have said about Noonan’s own work over the years:
“Carol Noonan’s voice is scintillating… it illuminates songs and words from a bygone era that are, unfortunately, as timely today as ever.”
– Ned Wharton Producer/Director NPR’s Weekend Edition Sunday
“No one hypnotizes quite the way that Carol Noonan does. She’s a deeply honest, soul-piercing singer whose latest album is an exalted trip into a minefield of emotions.”
– Steve Morse/Arts Editor Boston Globe
“It is a testament to Carol’s writing ability that the originals on ‘Somebody’s Darling’ mesh seemlessly with the traditionals. This is songwriting for the long haul. These songs are sad, yes. But delivered in Carol’s voice, they stir and inspire the soul.”
– Rob Reinhart/Acoustic Cafe
“Brilliant modern folk singer”
-Renown Critic, Dave Marsh (Bruce Springsteen biographer)
“No one exposes the contemporary meaning within traditionally based material as effectively as Carol Noonan on her new cd “Somebody’s Darling Songs Of War Loss And Remembrance”. Humanity and intelligence shine from a voice that is pure as gold. An instrument of quiet and subtle strength. A record that should be in everyone’s collection.”
– Roz & Howard Larman Co-Hosts And Co-Producers “Folk Scene”
“Carol Noonan respects all the right traditions of English and Irish folk music with her soulful quaver, reminiscent of Sandy Denny…Her beautiful voice offers the consolation music is supposed to provide. -Playboy Magazine<
Carol Noonan seems to exist beyond time…Noonan has forged a distinctive, dreamy, style, that is as breathtaking as her rich alto voice. She sounds at times like a 90’s Sandy Denny, soaring into the heavens even as she hits you in the heart.
-Steve Morse, Boston Globe
“Certainly one of the most moving recordings of the year. Highly recommended.”
– Dirty Linen Magazine
Carol Noonan: “Carol Noonan Christmas” (Noonan Music) 3 1/2 stars The New England singer-songwriter blends a folky approach with strong Celtic influences on this nicely measured mix of hymns, traditional carols and lovingly detailed, personal reminiscences of her own
Christmas high points in song. LA Daily News-Bob Strauss
Noonan’s voice fills these songs with emotion…The creative flame burns so brightly here she’s gotta be on the right track. -Performing Songwriter
“Completely captivating and irresistibly compelling, Noonan’s newest may be the first true folk masterpiece of the new millenium” -Goldmine Magazine
“Noonan’s voice has an alluring dronal feel…Her mostly somber originals become transporting even elegant…Her sustained notes open gorgeously like a young Joan Baez”
– Scott Alarkin, The Boston Globe
Carol Noonan Self-titled
Noonan is endowed with a remarkably strong and beautiful voice that, while comparable to Joan Baez or Judy Collins, sets her apart from the crowd of her contemporaries. Out of financial necessity, Noonan has recently emerged from her voluntary retirement from the music business. With this new album, which is not only self-titled, but self-released, she lets loose a gorgeous noise, backed by the tasteful picking of New England guitar great Duke Levine. Amazingly, Noonan mixes highly traditional tunes with modern singer-songwriter material with no loss of continuity. – Guitar World Acoustic: by Jim Steinblatt
For more information, visit Carol Noonan Music.