A Conversation with Caroline Herring (continued)

PM: Caroline, are you what you'd call a spiritual person?

CH: Yes.

PM: And in any special way?

CH: Increasingly obscure, only because as I age I realize that maybe all the things I just knew that I knew I don't know anymore. I mean, I do believe there's something out there beyond us, or at least I hope so. And many days I think that's a benevolent God. And I go round and round with people, it's one of my favorite conversations, on what made us, and why are we here, and what's waiting for us, and how our lives are structured. I don't know, and yet I have a faith, I suppose, that was instilled in me from a very young age that was structured for me to believe that all those things do exist. And I must say, I'm very unhappy when I come to the places in my life where I dismiss that. I eventually just have to crawl on back to it, because it's too much a part of my DNA. And whether it's culturally, socially, or more than that, I've come to accept that I do believe in God, whether I like it or not. [laughs]

PM: Yeah.

CH: So that's who I am, and I certainly enjoy the great conversation, and have no big answers. But I am grateful for my faith.

PM: Yeah. I feel a lot like that. So do you plan now to enlarge the family, broaden the career, or both?

CH: Well, I've enlarged the family, and I think my hands are pretty full with a four-year-old and a one-year-old. And so yeah, now is the time to start broadening the career, while keeping the family first. And I'm just glad to have a career. I think it's really doable. In probably three years we can all hit the road and have fun at summer festivals, and all have our instruments in tow--without shoving the banjo or the fiddle down my son or daughter's neck, I can show them musicians on stage. One of the great joys for me of playing music is that I get to meet other musicians, as I've already mentioned to you, it truly is. And so to expose my kids to that is reason enough by itself to keep playing. I feel like it's a rich opportunity for all of us, as long as we can shift around and manage, and as long as my husband stays [laughs] really supportive. But he loves it, too. It's definitely a family affair.

PM: Wow. Does he play as well, then?

CH: Yeah, he plays upright bass and a little guitar.

PM: Oh, wow, he plays upright bass. That comes in awfully handy.

CH: Awfully handy.

PM: What's his name?

CH: Joe.

PM: Well, yeah, I hope I get to meet Joe down the line. And as I said, I'm very happy to have you back on the scene. And your new album certainly makes it very clear that you're here to stay. I think it's your best one yet.

CH: Thank you.

PM: And it really re-establishes you as a very important voice. It reminds me of my good friend Diana Jones. Have you shared the stage with her anywhere yet?

CH: I have had the pleasure of doing that.

PM: Isn't she something?

CH: Yes, she is.

PM: And I think you guys are candidates for friendship.

CH: Well, I'd love that.

PM: Caroline, it's very nice to speak with you today. And I look forward to running into you out there in the world somewhere, and wish you the best of luck with this record.