Artist Loudon Wainwright III

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Loudon Wainwright III

Since his 1970 debut, after which he was hailed as a “New Dylan,” Loudon Wainwright III has released more than 20 albums, all blending folk, country, and rock with storytelling and humor. Despite a few guest appearances on M*A*S*H and two Grammy nods in the ’80s, he’s been recording in relative obscurity ever since, unable or unwilling to adapt his darkly comical folk into something more commercial. Thank goodness. Wainwright has been more visible in recent years, not only for his own music but his rising-star kids, Rufus and Martha. His 2009 ambitious concept double-album, High Wide & Handsome: The Charlie Poole Project, revolved around the popular ’20s banjo player, while 2010’s 10 Songs For The New Depressionfinds Wainwright characteristically wry about the sagging economy. He’s currently touring in support of a compilation album that marks his fourth decade in music, aptly titled 40 Odd Years.

Updated 08/17/2011