"These songs have a way of sneaking up on you. You may find yourself humming them, whistling them, and singing a verse to a friend. Like the songs of Woody Guthrie, they're becoming part of America." - Pete Seeger

Consummate folksinger, children's book author, and composer, Tom Paxton looks at life's ups and downs, sometimes poignantly, sometimes in hilarious detail. An integral part of folk music since arriving in Greenwich Village in the early 1960s, via Chicago and Oklahoma, Tom has been a primary influence on four distinct generations of folk musicians. Whether addressing issues of injustice and inhumanity, laying bare the absurdities of modern culture, or celebrating the bonds of family, friends, and community, Tom's songs—"Ramblin' Boy," "The Last Thing on My Mind," "Bottle of Wine," and "What Did You Learn in School Today," to name but a few—endure.

These days, Tom writes a bit more about growing older (inspired by his own life), as well as younger (inspired by his grandson). In addition to recording a CD of new songs, Comedians & Angels (Appleseed, 2008), Tom's classic children's song, "The Marvelous Toy," was recently published by Peter Yarrow Books as a beautifully illustrated book. Tom was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Recording Academy at the 2009 Grammy Awards.

Visit Tom's website

Listen to a track from Tom Paxton: