Artists:Joyce Rouse

A songwriter in Nashville since 1986, Joyce Rouse decided to focus on her own musical career in 1993 and concentrate on creating songs relating to the topic she’s the most passionate about — protecting and healing the earth. In short order, she adopted her persona as Earth Mama, put together an album of environmentally themed tunes and began to receive requests to perform at fairs, festivals, conferences and schools.

Her latest CD, “Around The World With Earth Mama,” includes songs like “Only Take What You Need,” “Less Is More,” “Green Blues” and “Let It Rot” — an ode to composting! With a meld of musical styles from calypso to country rock, Rouse swings her way through music she says is designed to be uplifting and positive.

“There’s a great deal of power in awareness. We need to take a good look at how we live, work and travel,” Rouse said. “There’s always something more we can do. And whether it’s how we eat, cook or build, everything we do affects the environment. “I see myself as a cheerleader for the planet, so the message I’m trying to share is that if we all do a little, the impact would be enormous. I want to encourage people to just start somewhere.”.