By any normal measure, John McCutcheon, at age seventy-two, should be retired.
He’s punched the clock in the international folk music world for over a half century. He’s been a respected archivist of Appalachian music. He was in the forefront of popularizing the hammer dulcimer and is considered a world master on the instrument. He helped revolutionize children’s and family music with five consecutive Grammy-nominated albums. He co-founded and led the fastest-growing Local in the Musicians Union. His songwriting is hailed around the globe and his instruction books introduced thousands to the joys of their own music making. He recorded and released tribute albums to Woody Guthrie, labor musician Joe Hill, and his friend and mentor, Pete Seeger. He even starred in a one-man musical, Joe Hill’s Last Will, which toured nationally and internationally. And he has consistently been one of the most popular touring musicians in the folk world. Yes, by any normal standard, he could proudly hang up the banjo and retire.
But John McCutcheon is just getting started.
With his latest release, Field of Stars, John McCutcheon has yet again demonstrated an ear for a good story, a deft pen, and the ability to provide insights using the most ordinary experiences that both surprise and delight.
John McCutcheon will be on the Main Stage at 4:30 pm on Friday, October 17. Listen and learn more here!
