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Tom Rush 2026
Folk

Few artists have shaped the landscape of American folk music quite like Tom Rush. With his distinctive guitar style, warm expressive voice, and signature wry humor, Rush has captivated audiences for more than six decades, creating concerts that feel less like performances and more like shared musical journeys.

His shows move effortlessly from rib-aching laughter to the tender melancholy of ballads and the driving pulse of gritty blues — a reflection of the tradition he helped build and the future he continues to inspire.

Rush emerged from the Boston coffeehouse scene of the early 1960s, quickly becoming a central figure in the folk revival. His early recordings introduced the world to now-legendary songwriters including Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, and Jackson Browne, helping usher in the singer-songwriter era. As James Taylor told Rolling Stone, “Tom was not only one of my early heroes, but also one of my main influences.” Garth Brooks has likewise named Rush among his top musical inspirations — a testament to the remarkable reach of his artistry.

Signed to Elektra Records in 1965, Rush released a trio of groundbreaking albums culminating in The Circle Game, widely credited with changing the direction of modern folk. Ever evolving, he embraced the folk-rock movement of the 1970s before returning to the stage revitalized, selling out Boston’s Symphony Hall and launching his influential Club 47® concerts, which paired established artists with emerging voices. Through these concerts, Rush helped bring performers such as Nanci Griffith, Shawn Colvin, Alison Krauss, and Mark O’Connor to wider audiences.

A master interpreter with an uncanny ear for great songs — and a gifted songwriter in his own right — Rush has built a body of work whose influence crosses genres and generations. His retrospective No Regrets traces this extraordinary musical legacy, while later recordings and live releases capture the storytelling and humor that have endeared him to audiences worldwide.

Today, his voice is richer than ever, his playing deeply expressive, and his performances infused with the wisdom of a life devoted to music. Like a fine wine, Tom Rush’s artistry has only grown more nuanced with time — blending tradition with fresh perspective and reminding us why these songs continue to matter.

To experience Tom Rush in an intimate listening room is to witness living folk history — a rare opportunity to hear the music, stories, and spirit that helped define an era and continues to inspire the next.

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Join us for an unforgettable evening with one of the true architects of American folk.

Stream this show live at Caffè Lena TV. Livestream available for $5 – 100% of live stream tickets on CaffeLenaTV benefit the artists. Subscribe for unlimited live streaming, two week access to recent shows, and Caffe Lena's video archive. 

Note: Caffe Lena does not permit ticket reselling above face value. Tickets purchased for the purpose of resale may be canceled without notice, and refunds for such purchases will not be granted.