Chris Smither // Paul Cebar

After 50 years of bold work, Holly Near is still one of the most consistent and well-informed voices for change. Her work is loving, challenging, funny, thought provoking, and remains rooted in the global community. As an outspoken singer and ambassador for peace, Holly brings a unique integration of world consciousness and self-evaluation, always growing and sharing experience humbly and boldly.

Peter Yarrow co-wrote “Puff, the Magic Dragon,” and by any measure he’s one of America’s most beloved folk singers. With Peter, Paul & Mary in the 1960s and beyond, he was part of a group that changed the world of music. He’s been active in changing the wider world as well, and he has never slowed down since the birth of Peter, Paul & Mary during the Kennedy administration. In 1969 he was one of the organizers of the antiwar March on Washington. In support of the rights of Jews in the former Soviet Union he wrote the anthem “Don’t Let the Light Go Out.” In 2000 he founded Operation Respect, a set of school and camp curricula designed to promote a culture of tolerance and respect. Peter’s recent appearances have emphasized music as a shared message and an antidote to mean-spiritedness and intolerance.

Loudon Wainwright III, or LW3 for short, is a cherished icon of American folk music, a darkly witty and touchingly personal songwriter and storyteller. He started out in the folk clubs of New York and Boston before going on to a long career that’s encompassed both music and acting. Loudon comes to Michigan with a brand new album, “Lifetime Achievement.”

We know—Tom Paxton had a farewell tour a few years ago. Kidding! Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner and folk icon Tom Paxton is back, and he’s teaming up with the Grammy-winning Nashville singer/songwriter duo The Don Juans—Don Henry & Jon Vezner! Collectively, their songs have been covered by: Harry Belafonte, John Mellencamp, Miranda Lambert, Neil Diamond, Ray Charles, Nanci Griffith, Judy Collins, Pete Seeger, Janis Ian, Kathy Mattea, John Denver, Faith Hill, B.J. Thomas, Blake Shelton, Peter, Paul & Mary and Bob Dylan … just to name a few! Within days of writing and playing together, the trio knew they were onto something, and they soon took it on the road. Ever since the days of Porter & Dolly’s cover of “The Last Thing on My Mind,” the songs of Tom Paxton have had a special resonance with Nashville songwriters, and now the tradition continues!