Obit: Songwriter Jane Voss (1948-2026)

Subject: RIP Jane Voss
From: Thomas Stern
Date: 20 Jul 26 - 08:14 PM

Jane Roberta Voss, 78, passed away on June 20, 2026, in Farmington, New Mexico.
https://www.farmingtonfuneral.com/obituaries/jane-voss

Singing for Jane Voss – Concert 1 – Murray Callahan · Kim Wallach · Kate Brislin & Suzy Thompson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=cuBSHRfC7M4

Singing for Jane Voss — Concert 2 — Martha Burns · Emily Miller & Valerie Mindel ­­· Eve Goldberg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=i05Hc4MgDVI

Thomas.

Subject: Obit: Songwriter Jane Voss (1948-2026)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 20 Jul 26 - 09:08 PM

https://www.farmingtonfuneral.com/obituaries/jane-voss

Jane Roberta Voss' Obituary

Jane Roberta Voss, 78, passed away on June 20, 2026, in Farmington, New Mexico.

Born and raised in a big working-class family in Ohio, Jane Voss was singing from a very early age. After graduating from the Notre Dame Academy in Toledo, she went to college, first at Marquette University and then at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Realizing that colleges couldn’t teach her what she really wanted to learn, she decided to try a different path. After a short time in Cedar Rapids, she headed for San Francisco, arriving in December of 1969.

Jane began her performing career in San Francisco coffeehouses in 1970, and took to the road in 1972, appearing at folk festivals in the U.S. and Canada. She soon was a familiar presence in the folk music scene on both coasts. Her early reputation was made as an inspired interpreter of old-time country music, especially the songs of the Original Carter Family. Her 1976 release, “An Album of Songs” (Bay Records), has been called “hands down, among the finest albums ever made by an interpreter of old-time country songs.”

The album includes three of her earliest original songs, notably “Keep in Mind (That I Love You)”, which is a well-known favorite in the North American folk music community.

KEEP IN MIND (That I Love You)[chorus]
(Jane Voss)

Keep in mind that I love you
Keep in mind that I care
Though the world that’s moving ’round you
May bring grief and despair
When you find yourself alone
Amidst the city’s push and shove
Don’t be discouraged
Keep in mind that you are loved

“Keep in Mind (That I Love You)”

© 1972 · Jane Voss· Obscure Origins Music (BMI)

Jane met Hoyle when he arrived in California in 1972. They fell in love and began their enduring partnership in 1976 in Sonoma, California. That same year, Jane worked as a host-interpreter for the Smithsonian Institution’s Bicentennial Festival of American Folklife on the National Mall. Shortly after that, Jane and Hoyle gave their first duo performances at a tiny saloon in Sonoma County.

Jane and Hoyle toured the country for many years, performing in coffeehouses, for folk music organizations and arts centers, and at music festivals. Their first duo album was released by Green Linnet Records in 1981. It was included in Stereo Review magazine’s Record of the Year Awards. The magazine’s editor wrote, “At the root of it is the ability to write a believable song in a given genre. ... Voss has created here a perfectly believable blues, Mexican canción, Motown number, hillbilly hymn (with shape-note harmonies), and country ballad.”

That album included Jane’s song, “Still (My Thoughts Go Back to You)”, which has been performed and recorded by quite a few bluegrass groups.

STILL (MY THOUGHTS GO BACK TO YOU) [chorus]
(Jane Voss)

Movin’ on my way, I leave you far behind
Ever-changing sights and scenes of my life occupy my mind
And time works many wonders, it is true
Still, my thoughts go back to you

“Still (My Thoughts Go Back to You)’
© 1973 · Jane Voss · Obscure Origins Music (BMI)

After being on the road constantly for four years, Jane and Hoyle were encouraged to settle in Albuquerque by Jane’s old friend Jeanie McLerie. From their home base in Albuquerque, they continued touring and recording and made seven albums together. They began doing school residencies with the New Mexico Arts Division and creating historical concert-lectures under the auspices of the New Mexico Humanities Council.

During that time, they recorded the album “Sparkle and Shine”, which included Jane’s great song, “To All My Friends in Far-Flung Places”, which was covered by the well-known folk singers Dave Van Ronk, Chuck Pyle, and Rosalie Sorrels. A new recording by Denver folk singer Harry Tuft will be released this summer.

TO ALL MY FRIENDS IN FAR-FLUNG PLACES
(Jane Voss)

I’d like to wake up in some town
And find that you were all around me
And all of us were settled down
And I’d come home
To all my friends in far-flung places
May I stay in your good graces
Hold me in your memory
And when you do not hear from me
Don’t think that out of sight is out of mind
For though our lives may lead us apart
Still you are always in my heart
The love we share is all I know
Gives me grace to go on now
The love we share is all I know
Gives me grace to go on down the road
That leads me on to meet
My fate to taste the bittersweet
Of welcome always waiting for me
Somewhere, always somewhere down the line

“To All My Friends in Far-Flung Places”

© 1985 · Jane Voss · Obscure Origins Music (BMI)

In 1992, Jane and Hoyle moved to Aztec and bought an old house when Hoyle began his twenty years of playing at the Diamond Belle Saloon in Durango. In the immediate area, they have done school residencies and concerts at the Farmington Civic Center, San Juan College, Farmington Museum, Aztec Museum & Pioneer Village, and with Showcase Concerts.

Jane’s all-original CD “Farther Down the Road” introduced another of her most beloved songs, “The Thing That Makes You Beautiful”. It and several others of Jane’s songs have been published in magazines and song books. Jane and Hoyle have been guests on the public radio programs West Coast Live, Mountain Stage, Fresh Air, All Things Considered, and World Cafe.

THE THING THAT MAKES YOU BEAUTIFUL
(Jane Voss)

There are those who say that beauty
Is the flower of a day
That it blooms in youth only
And with age will fade away
But enduring as diamonds
More shining than gold,
The thing that makes you beautiful cannot grow old
Oh, the thing that makes you beautiful cannot grow old
So if there’s ever any question
If you get to feeling dull and old
Won’t you let me be your mirror
Where the truth is always told
In the eye of this beholder
You’re a bright and shining star
’Cause the thing that makes you beautiful is the way you are

Oh, the thing that makes you beautiful
The thing that makes you beautiful
The thing that makes you beautiful is just the way you are

“The Thing That Makes You Beautiful”
© 1985 · Jane Voss · Obscure Origins Music (BMI)

Jane was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Anna Voss, and by her siblings Donna Anderson, Raymond Voss, Kevin Voss, Christopher Voss, and Ruth Hickman. Her surviving siblings are Michael Voss, Tony Voss, Carleen August, and Jerome Voss.

No flowers, please. You are welcome to donate in Jane’s name to a worthy cause or organization. Hoyle simply asks that you do all you can to bring joy into this troubled old world.

I AM THERE
(Jane Voss)

And when I have gone on beyond
The bound’ries of the known,
To that place where each of us
Must travel on alone
That won’t be the end of me
I know you know it’s true
You were always here with me
So I am there with you
A twinkling on your far horizon
A singing on the wire
Any way I can get through
I’ll be comin’ back to you
A flicker in the firelight
A whisper on the air
You may turn to find me gone
But I am there

“I Am There” – © 2000 · Jane Voss · Obscure Origins Music (BMI)

Jane Voss YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@janevoss5400

Subject: RE: Obit: Songwriter Jane Voss (1948-2026)
From: Rex
Date: 21 Jul 26 - 01:04 PM

If you haven't heard the endearing voice of Jane Voss, or heard her songs that touch the heart. Take time to hear this one.

To All My Friends in Far Flung Places

Subject: RE: Obit: Songwriter Jane Voss (1948-2026)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 21 Jul 26 - 02:11 PM

What an amazing video, Rex! Most of the faces in the video look familiar, but I could identify only a few of them. I'm sure there are many Mudcatters who would recognize many of these people.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Obit: Songwriter Jane Voss (1948-2026)
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 21 Jul 26 - 08:07 PM

she was sure a great songwriter.

Subject: RE: Obit: Songwriter Jane Voss (1948-2026)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Jul 26 - 12:12 PM

Her voice is wonderful, and such great lyrics. I agree with Mary.

Subject: RE: Obit: Songwriter Jane Voss (1948-2026)
From: Rex
Date: 23 Jul 26 - 01:51 PM

Well Joe, I intended to only point out Jane's wonderful singing voice and how great her songs were, this one in particular. But why not talk about the friends she honors in this video? I am sure that she and Hoyle were close friends with well known performers like
Libba Cotton, the New Lost City Ramblers and Jean Ritchie. Was that
Paddy Maloney playing the concertina? But you bet, lets bring up these lesser known people, some are friends of mine. Some are gone. I bet our 'Catters can identify everyone on the video. I'll start this off:

Pop Wagner and Bob Bovee 0:50
Ken Keppeler and Jeannie McLerie 3:18 & 4:00
Glenn Ohrlin 4:16
Liz Masterson and Sean Blackburn 5:26
Liz Masterson and ? 5:38

Who's next? Who are these other dear friends of Jane and Hoyle?