John McCutcheon

 

Master instrumentalist, powerful singer-songwriter-storyteller and multiple Grammy nominee, John McCutcheon 

surprises and delights with an ear for a good story, deft pen, and insights using the most ordinary experiences that resonate with universal meaning. His live performances, marked by wit, charm, and the ability to connect with listeners, are described as “breathtaking” and “like a conversation with an old friend.” 

He has written hundreds of songs and garnered more than his share of accolades. His eclectic catalog of ballads, historical songs, children’s songs, love songs, topical satire, fiddle and hammer dulcimer instruments, and even symphonic works are among the broadest in American folk music. His 45 albums have earned six Grammy nominations. His songwriting has been hailed by critics around the world; his song “Christmas in the Trenches” is considered a classic and was recently named one of Folk Alley’s ‘100 Essential Folk Songs.’ 

 

His first award-winning song, says he, was titled “The Ponderosa No-Cream-in-My-Coffee Blues,” penned at a greasy spoon of the same name in his Wisconsin hometown. He was all of 15 years old and it won him his high school talent show. “My best friend claims that he still has a cassette of the song,” McCutcheon recently disclosed, “and if we ever have a serious falling out it’s going right up on YouTube.”

 

McCutcheon live onstage with guitars, banjo, hammer dulcimer and an occasional fiddle has a magic all its own. Join us to welcome him back!