Interview with Tim Krekel, July 11, 2001

Partial Transcript: When did, when did you first become aware of Thomas Merton?

Segment Synopsis: Krekel talks about the first time he became aware of Thomas Merton. He discusses his Catholic upbringing. He then talks about his first encounter with Merton's writing.

Keywords: Books; Religious upbringings; T.V. shows; Television shows; Writings

Subjects: Biographies; Catholic Church.; Catholics.; Louisville (Ky.); Merton, Thomas, 1915-1968.; Musicians; Religions; Television

Partial Transcript: Um, you were just speaking about ways you related to Merton, but remark on--sort of--it's a funny fit, I mean, you've got a Roman Catholic monk that is appealing to a musician who's not particularly religious.

Segment Synopsis: Krekel talks about why Thomas Merton appeals to him. He describes his rebelliousness against his Catholic upbringing. He also talks about the aspects of Merton that made him relatable.

Keywords: Interfaith communication; Interfaith dialogue; Rebelliousness; Religiosity; Teenage rebellions

Subjects: Catholic Church.; Catholic schools; Catholics.; Merton, Thomas, 1915-1968.; Religions; Religiousness; Spirituality

Partial Transcript: Why would you, I mean, what's your conjecture that here, thirty-three years after he died, he's more popular than ever.

Segment Synopsis: Krekel talks about why he feels Thomas Merton is more popular now than ever before. He describes how Merton was ahead of his time and explains why that was the case.

Keywords: Celebrity; Interfaith communication; Interfaith dialogue; Religiosity

Subjects: Fame; Inspiration.; Merton, Thomas, 1915-1968.; Popularity; Spirituality

Partial Transcript: Um, describe what Gethsemane looks like.

Segment Synopsis: Krekel describes what Gethsemane looks like. He talks about the resemblance it bears to France and the general atmosphere it has.

Keywords: Ambiance; Atmosphere; Feeling of a place; Peacefulness; Quiet; Quietness; Serenity

Subjects: Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani (Trappist, Ky.); France.; Solitude

Partial Transcript: Um, does--do you--does Gethsemane mean anything to you?

Segment Synopsis: Krekel talks about the significance of Gethsemane to him. He talks about the occasions in which he has visited Gethsemane on his way to places such as Nashville.

Keywords: Travels; Trips

Subjects: Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani (Trappist, Ky.); Monasteries.; Nashville (Tenn.); Travel

Partial Transcript: Uh, does Merton have any, um, daily impact, or I guess everyday impact?

Segment Synopsis: Krekel talks about whether Thomas Merton has a daily impact on his life. He speaks about the extent to which he thinks about Merton on a daily basis and how Merton has influenced the way he acts.

Keywords: Impact; Influences; Mentors; Relatability

Subjects: Catholic Church; Catholics; Inspiration.; Merton, Thomas, 1915-1968.; Nonviolence

Partial Transcript: And I, I don't plan to position you as an expert or anything like that.

Segment Synopsis: Krekel talks about what Thomas Merton has meant to different people. He describes Merton as someone who has faced a lot of turmoil and he discusses the impact of the 20th Century on him.

Keywords: Religiosity; Religious life; Strife; Struggle; Turmoil

Subjects: Merton, Thomas, 1915-1968.; Spiritual life; Spirituality

Partial Transcript: Um, I know you've written at least one song about him.

Segment Synopsis: Krekel describes the two songs he has written about Thomas Merton. He gives the names of the songs and recites the lyrics to one of them.

Keywords: 14th Dalai Lama; Father Louis; Global East; Lines; Lyrics; Songs; Tenzin Gyatso; Thomas Merton; Verses

Subjects: Bstan-ʼdzin-rgya-mtsho, Dalai Lama XIV, 1935-; Merton, Thomas, 1915-1968.; Music.; Musicians.; Tenzin Gyatso, Dalai Lama XIV, 1935-