Tamie Jensen's
Personal Interview

Where were you born and raised?
I was born in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota and raised on Island Lake just 1/2 mile from where I live now.

What was your first exposure to music? What type of music did you prefer?
Hymns and gospel choruses. Also, ethnic music from around the world, folk and classical. I liked everything but country. Christian folk music has always been my favorite.

What was your first musical group that you joined? What kind of music did you play? When and where was this?
My sister Laurie and I sang together in churches and meetings as far back as I can remember. We sang contemporary Christian music and we'd practice in bed at night singing harmony until Dad or Mom would tell us it was time to go to sleep.

How did you first become interested in Celtic Music?
When I was a child, bagpipes always moved me to tears. As a young adult, I attended a folk festival and learned a few Scottish ballads that I've been singing ever since. The style fits my voice like nothing else ever did. It used to be hard to find this style of music. Whenever I'd hear it I'd be like, "What is that?!" I was so strongly drawn to it. Maybe from my Irish/Scottish roots way back, who knows? But, the music is so expressive. From sighing, lamenting airs that portray sorrow or longing, to the laughing jigs and reels that make your soul dance, I need this music. I need it like sunshine and rain and the air I breathe.

How did you happen to become a part of Northwind Crossing?
I was part of Shell Lake Immanuel Lutheran Church's Centennial Band. After practices, Fran Gack and Bill Meyer would play some Irish tunes and I couldn't believe someone I knew actually knew how to play that stuff. I had searched for music and instruction for years and here they were! I think I begged them for music and their teaching that night. A few of us continued jamming together about once a week, and then we began doing some performances. It was all pretty much unplanned. One thing just led to another and it became something very worthwhile and important in my life. This band - these people - this music - and our families' support have helped me through some really rough times. God had the plan.

What are your hopes and aspirations for Northwind Crossing?
I'd like to keep learning new songs and striving for a more traditional sound. I suppose that because we are Americans, the American sound will always be a part of Northwind Crossing, and that's not bad- that's just who we are and what we've grown up hearing all of our lives. But I think that we've turned more and more to the traditional Irish sound, and especially now with our new young fiddler, and when we added the harps. I also want to keep spending time in the recording studio and put out more CDs...an art and an education in itself.

Where did the name Northwind Crossing come from?
We brainstormed and that's what we came up with. We're from the "North" - "Crossroads" were where people met for music and dance. The word "Crossing" also hints at the cross of Jesus Christ. At the time we chose the name it seemed sort of funny that we actually needed a title!

Will you be making another CD? If so, what kind of songs do you want to have on it?
Oh yes! I would like ballads, jigs, reels, hornpipes - traditional tunes, O'Carolan, as well as contemporary Celtic songs. I'd love to do some original tunes.

What do you do when you are not playing or singing Celtic Music? In other words, what is your other life like outside of Northwind Crossing?
When I'm not practicing or playing Celtic music with Northwind Crossing, I am a wife, mom, and grandma. I teach piano, play piano and lead worship in my church's worship band, record the music and produce a weekly radio program with my pastor that airs Sunday mornings on KRCQ 102.3 FM at 9:05am. I play for weddings & funerals, do mini concerts or special numbers at various churches and organizations, and compose original music. I work part time as a secretary for my husband Steve at White Earth Indian Health Clinic. In the summer I clean cabins at Valhalla Resort and swim as much as possible, and in the winter I bake bread & cookies!