Voices of New Mexico is an anthology from 34 authors who explore New Mexico – the state’s traditions, history, quirks, landscape, and people.
My contribution, “Elizabeth Garrett: Songbird of the Southwest,” is a biography of the woman who wrote the words and music to “O Fair New Mexico,” adopted by the New Mexico State Legislature in 1917 as the official state song.
Elizabeth was the daughter of Pat Garrett, famous for killing Billy the Kid. She was educated, taught piano and voice, traveled by train, and was close friends with Helen Keller. Elizabeth wrote and sang of apple blossoms, azure skies, and high sierras without having ever seen them. She was blind.
Book Available through:
Rio Grande Books, Albuquerque
LPD Press, Albuquerque
suehouser.com 