“I recall that my first exposure to folk music came when I listened over and over to the popular Weavers’ ‘Tzena, Tzena, Tzena’ and ‘Irene Goodnight’, not knowing that they were folk songs, but loving them. When the music became popular in the late fifties and early sixties, I knew that I had found the music that I loved. I learned to play guitar, and hung out and performed at a local coffee house called the Noble Thought. I recall Peter Yarrow and Judy Collins, both pretty much unknown at the time, playing there. My real exposure to folk music came at Ohio State through my association with a fine banjo player and folk musician named Fred Starner. While there I also met an activist and aspiring young songwriter named Phil Ochs, who at that time sang as part of a folk duo. Phil, of course, went on to great folk fame. During my time at Ohio State, I performed a great deal at the local coffee house and Sundays at a local bar, and my attachment to folk music has stayed steady and true for over forty-five years. Learning words came easily to me and I have always wanted to perform this wonderful music. Although I’ve performed individually from time to time, Generations has given me the chance to play and perform this music in a way that I have wished for.”

Singing songs in the spirit of Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger, Joel will delight audiences with songs of the sea, songs of protest, and songs of great historical import.