Born in Chicago in 1937, by his teens Tom Paxton had moved to Oklahoma where he picked up an interest in folk music by listening to Harry Belafonte, Burl Ives, the Weavers and Woody Guthrie, whose engagement with many social and political causes inspired him. His career began at the Gaslight Café in Greenwich Village where his songs impressed audiences ahead of Dylan’s arrival. He appeared at the 1963 Newport Folk Festival and soon signed to Elektra Records for seven LP releases through the 60s. He moved to Reprise and then Vanguard Records, where his album output included “New Songs From The Briarpatch”. Covered by hundreds of artists, his work has included socially motivated, comedy, topical and children’s songs, with ‘The Last Thing On My Mind’, ‘Ramblin’ Boy’ and ‘Bottle Of Wine’ among the best-known. He was awarded a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009 and continues to tour every year.
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