Sunday November 16, 2025 2:00 p.m.$25 (under 18 $10) Door opens at 1:30 p.m.
NOTE: Linden Tree’s new location is at Temple Emmanuel, 120 Chestnut St. Wakefield. Just up from the North Ave. Train station. New comfortable chairs. Handicapped accessible.
Linden Tree favorites, Maine’s Curt Bessette and Jenn Kurtz return to our stage to entertain with songs and stories from their Veterans Tribute Concerts celebrating the men and women who served in all wars. Many were written by Curt’s whose father served in the Navy. The concert will also feature them singing favorite songs and stories from their other recordings. This show will surprise you, make you laugh, and you will be glad you came.
Curt Bessette is an award winning singer songwriter who has performed across the United States in concerts and festivals. Jenn Kurtz is celebrated as an amazing harmony singer and arranger and is always available to answer questions about her home state of Missouri.
Veterans might remember Curt and Jenn were here at Temple Emmanuel with their Veteran’s program with funds donated to the building of Wakefield Veteran’s Memorial. Curt and Jenn have a new song of theirs called, “I’m Not Me Anymore” about PTSD. Part of the proceeds will be donated to Veteran service organizations.
Reserve your seat : 978-326-7905. Cash or check at the door.
Linden Tree Concerts are at Temple Emmanuel, 120 Chestnut St. Wakefield, MA.
Sunday October 5, 2025 2:00 p.m.$25 (under 18 $10)
The Linden Tree Concert 41st Season will continue on Sunday, October 5, 2025 with the often humorous, often clever singer-songwriter Christine Lavin.
NOTE: Linden Tree’s new location is at Temple Emmanuel, 120 Chestnut St. Wakefield. Just up from the North Ave. Train station. New comfortable chairs. Handicapped accessible.
Christine Lavin has been called the Folk World’s long-reigning Queen of the Intelligently Absurd. The title of one of her earlier albums, I Don’t Make This Stuff Up, I just Make it Rhyme, says it all. Christine is a singer/songwriter/guitarist/recording artist/author/videographer who has been based in New York City since 1976. Her latest album, her 25th, On My Way to Hooterville, includes 10 new songs and one re-worked song, “Ramblin’ Waltz,” a re-telling of her time in 1975 when she was one of the entourage drivers for the first week of the tour of The Rolling Thunder Revue.
Christine has an eye for the ironic and the absurd in the news and everyday life, and puts it into song. She dresses it all up in skillful guitar work, electronic loops, and wonderful gimmicks. She has won numerous awards for her songwriting and her book, Cold Pizza for Breakfast: A Mem-Wha??.
Supportive of other songwriters she admires, Christine has produced ten compilations, showcasing 100 songwriters. Her song Amoeba Hop, a science music book illustrated by Betsy Franco, recived a “Best Book Award” from the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
“It is precisely her take on the ordinary that makes her work so extraordinary.” — Village Voice.
If you haven’t experienced a Christine Lavin concert, make your reservation soon, as seats are limited. Reservations: Call or text 781-521-3564.
Admission: $25, those under 18 are $10. Pay Cash or check at the door.
The first show of our season will be Linden Tree’s participation in Wakefield’s Porch Fest on Saturday afternoon September 6. See the Wakefield Porchfest Facebook page for more info about this event.
All Linden Tree Coffeehouse events will be held at Temple Emmanuel, located on Wakefield’s West Side at 120 Chestnut Street.
PORCH FEST WAKEFIELD. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2025. FREE!
Temple Emmanuel will be hosting one of many locations around town for Wakefield’s Second Annual Porchfest. Bring chairs and blankets. Free concert. From neighborhood’s porches and back yards, folks will present a variety of music, a tradition many towns have adopted. This is Wakefield’s second year, and shows will be from noon to 6. A schedule will be available nearer to the date.
Temple Emmanuel is located on Wakefield’s West Side at 120 Chestnut Street.
Our schedule is as follows: 1:00: Linden Tree’s Eddie Dee. Eddie Dee is a powerful singer, who accompanies himself on piano in a variety of styles. He has a long history in Folk Music, Popular Music, and Musical Theatre. He will include a selection of familiar “oldies” in this show.
2:00: Andy and Judy Sing! “Andy and Judy Daigle are a New England folk singing married couple who have recorded over 80 songs and produced 8 albums. Andy & Judy do a masterful job of involving the audience in their performances. Sing-a-longs and smiles are the norm at one of their concerts. As Steve Ide, the Artistic Director of the Rose Garden Coffeehouse in Mansfield, MA, said “They put the fun back in folk music.” Andy & Judy have deepened their sound through the addition of mandolin, banjo, piano, harmonica, ukulele, and with support musicians, bass, violin and percussion.
3:30: Squeezebox Stompers. For over 25 years, The Squeezebox Stompers have brought the vibrant sounds of Cajun, zydeco, blues, folk, and original music to New England, earning Boston Music Awards and songwriting accolades along the way. Their lively and eclectic performances are guaranteed to get you on your feet and having a blast! With a rich blend of instruments—including accordion, fiddle, mandolin, saxophone, harmonica, guitar, bass, and drums—they create an unique live music experience. You can’t be sad when tapping and clapping to the Squeezebox Stompers.
Called Canada’s finest singer-songwriter by one of the most respected and lauded music journalists of the last 50 years, James Keelaghan is an artist who has proven to be a man for all seasons.
Fusing his insatiable appetite for finding the next unique storyline, Keelaghan also forges his pieces with brilliantly defined craftsmanship and a monogrammed artistic vision, making him one of the most distinctive and readily identifiable voices of not only the Canadian scene, but as a member of the international singer-songwriter community.
Armed with a songbook that has enlightened and enthralled, and been embraced, by audiences around the world, Keelaghan’s life as an artist is one that is a perpetual journey on so many levels.
Most importantly it’s a journey that has invited fans of literate and layered songwriting to be a part of his artistic expeditions, some that weave their way through marvelously etched stories of a historical nature with underlying universal themes, and others that mine the depths of the soul and the emotional trails of human relations. ̈His masterful story telling, over the course of nine recordings, has been part of the bedrock of his success, earning Keelaghan his share of nominations and awards, and acclaim from Australia to Scandinavia.
The Secret Sauce was the top vote-getter in Linden Tree’s 2024 Winter Potpourri. Janet Feld, Esther Friedman & Jackie Damsky have joined forces as The Secret Sauce, performing tasty originals & choice covers, with lots of sweet 3-part harmony, plus guitar, mandolin, & violin. They came together over a love of each other’s songs, great friendship, and fun, and that’s how the Secret Sauce rolls!
Saturday April 5, 2025 7:30 p.m.$25 (under 18 $10)
The Linden Tree Concert series is pleased to announce the return of Indiana Actor and Singer Songwriter Tim Grimm on Saturday, April 5th at 7:30 pm. The Linden Tree is now in the social hall of the Wakefield Lynnfield United Methodist Church on Vernon St. Wakefield. This year’s Winter Potpourri winner Tom Hanlon will open the evening’s concert.
Tim Grimm is a bit of a Renaissance man in the performing arts world, forging a rich and varied career that blends his love of songwriting, travel, and acting in theatre, film and television. For most of his 25-year career as a storytelling balladeer in the tradition of John Prine, Woody Guthrie, and Bob Dylan, Tim has written primarily about community, history, family, and social issues – often framed by his strong sense of place and the many years he spent on the family farm he built in rural Indiana. His songs are filled with rural characters and landscapes, written and sung with vivid warmth and intimacy. On April 4th, Tim’s brand new album Bones of Trees will be released on radio.
Tim’s 2023 album, THE LITTLE IN-BETWEEN was an evocative evolution from his previous albums – and considered his most personal to date, written in three intense months during the winter of 2021-22. This album traced his travel between the hills of southern Indiana and the Oklahoma prairie – and his internal journey from a rich past to an unexpected future – using a first-person voice in every song to illuminate a deep inner territory that historically remained more submerged in his work. This fertile creative year also yielded forays into visual art, with Tim using pastels and charcoal to create striking folk-art style triptychs, pieces of which now form the visual art featured on the new album cover and booklet.
After several years of working as an actor in the 19990s where he co-starred on the NBC drama Reasonable Doubts and appearing in the film A Clear and Present Danger with Harrison Ford, he returned with his famiy to small town southern Indiana. Where he continued to compose music for a number off stage plays including Amber Waves and The Grapes of Wrath produced in Indiana and New York. Two PBS documentaries he wrote songs for received nominations for EMMY AWARDS.
Tim is perceptive, reflective and engaging. His music is personal and intense. It’s deep.” says David Pearson .
Tom Hanlon, an award-winning singer-songwriter, grew up in the 60’s, when folk music was in all its glory. Tom branched into rock and roll in high school, and joined “The Long Island Sounds” out of New Haven CT, opening for such acts as the Beach Boys, Gary Lewis and the Playboys, and the Zombies. He studied Classical guitar at NE Conservatory, taught there for several years, and–more recently–began writing songs. He collaborates now with Leslie Bryant, of Ergo Canto. The title track from their CD, “This Train,” was a finalist in the American Songwriter Awards. His “Nail Care and Repair for Guitarists” video on YouTube with 90K hits. Tom’s songs are on Reverbnation, where he is often Number 1 in “Folk” for the Boston Region.
The Linden Tree Coffeehouse is located in the social hall of the Wakefield Lynnfield United Methodist Church, 273 Vernon Street in Wakefield. There is a parking lot behind the church and it is handicapped accessible. The show begins at 7:30 pm, doors open at 7:00. Homemade baked goods and beverages are available. Tickets are $25 (those under 18 $10) Pay cash or check at the door. Reservations: for preferential seating. 978- 326-7905.
Saturday March 1, 2025 7:30 p.m.$25 (under 18 $10)
Linden Tree Concerts announces the return of two fan favorite duos: Gayle Anderson & Bob Gram along with Leslie Lee & Steve Gretz on Saturday, March first at 7:30 pm. The concert takes place at the Wakefield Lynnfield United Methodist Church at 273 Vernon St. Wakefield.
Gayle Anderson has always loved music and performing from an early age in Gloucester. At Wheaton College she toured and recorded two albums with The Wheatones. Discovering folk music on WUMB, she began attending open mikes where she met her husband Bob Gram .Bob at UMass Boston also was hooked on the WUMB programing and began attending open mikes and solo gigs.
Together Anderson-Gram released their first CD “Watercolors “ touring together along the East Coast and West Coast and venues in between, releasing their 5th CD “tides and embers.” They are a well-seasoned artistically-polished folk duo. Their voices blend perfectly, and their guitar accompaniments are thoughtful, interesting, and balanced. Their commication with the audience and clever lyrics add to a very satisfying entertainment experience. Andersongram.com
Leslie Lee and Steve Gretz sings songs to lift spirits and soothe souls. Leslie grew up in Kansas City, MO surrounded by music. Her introduction to folk after earning a BFA in Commercial Art was when she created the artwork for Steve Gretz’s first CD, Waiting for the Sun.” In 2003 she stood at the microphone recording on his sold out CD, “Recovered.” Steve Gretz grew up in the NY stage also involved with music most of his life. In the 90s he performed in the duo Arnold+Gretz, recording four CDs. One of his songs” Who Taught These Idiots to Drive?” was featured on NPR’s Car Talk radio show!
Leslie and Steve were married in 2000 and began performing and recording music together in 2003. The songs they write and sing are influenced by a variety of genres including folk, gospel, Americana, and contemporary singer / songwriter. In 2011, they wrote the song, “One Great Hour to Share” for the One Great Hour of Sharing organization, which assists individuals and communities around the world who suffer the effects of disaster, conflict, or severe economic hardship. The song has been used to promote the One Great Hour of Sharing offering in churches throughout the country. Their performances feature simple but tasteful arrangements of timeless melodies. Steve’s guitar is often supplemented by other traditional instruments, but the focus is always on thoughtful lyrics and beautiful harmonies. When Steve and Leslie return to the Linden Tree, they will be joined by multi-instrumetnalist Seth Connelly. “We sing these songs because they move us, and we hope they will lift your spirits and soothe your souls.” https://www.leslieandsteve.com
Saturday February 1, 2025 7:30 p.m. $25 (under 18 $10)
NOTE: Reservations are closed for this show.
“For anyone unfamiliar with this group they are a powerhouse, featuring some of New England’s finest. They bring lots of talent, experience, and a distinctive sound of their own.”
Formed in 2013, Rock Hearts brings together five seasoned musicians from Southern New England who love to sing and pick bluegrass, old country tunes, and seek out tunes from other genres to “bluegrass-ify.” Named an Official 2021 IBMA Showcase Band, the band is enjoying national radio and Chart activity. They are a sought after band for major festivals. They are 615 Hideaway record label artists and work closely with label owner, Sammy Passamano, in Nashville, TN. Their first independent project, Starry Southern Nights, put them on the national radar. A year later they signed with Sammy Passamano and released their first 615 Hideaway Records label single from their new project, Wanderlust, which continues to receive outstanding fanfare and radio attention. Their 3rd project and second with the 615, Unfinished Bridges, is by far their best work yet.
Since it’s release on October 4th, Unfinished Bridges, has experienced tremendous success with the full album and several singles debuting in the Top 10 on national charts, including (5) #1 positions.
Here’s what some folks are saying:
“Rock Hearts’ Unfinished Bridges deserves a large audience and copious praise.” Colin Jordan
“It’s one of the most satisfying recent bluegrass releases and should rank high on any fan of the genre’s must-hear list.” Mark Dreury
Rock Hearts has shared the stage with some of the top bands in the industry including, Del McCoury, Dale Ann Bradley, Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, Jonathan Edwards, Danny Paisley, The Gibson Brothers, Dan Tyminski, the Seldom Scene, Larry Sparks, and many more. The band consists of founding member and banjo player, Joe Deetz, lead man and guitar/vocals, *Alex MacLeod, the newest Kentucky Mandolin endorsed artist, *Billy Thibodeau, bassist, Rick Brodsky, and fiddler/2023 IBMA Mentor of the Year nominee, *Austin Scelzo.
*Alex MacLeod is one of ten songwriters selected for the 2024 IBMA WOB Songwriter Showcase.
*Austin Scelzo is nominated for the 2024 IBMA Momentum Awards: Industry Involvement; nominated for 2023 IBMA WOB Momentum Mentor of the Year; IBMA Leadership 2024
*Billy Thibodeau was recently inducted into the Maine Country Music Hall of Fame and named as a Saga Music Instruments Mandolin Artist (KM1500); IBMA Leadership 2017
Joe Deetz’s career on banjo spans over 40 years. A New England Bluegrass Boy with Joe Val, Joey has also worked with Frank Wakefield, John Herald, Back Eddy and many others. He has recorded with John Herald, Will Scarlet, the Beach Boys and Carol King. Joey was also featured on the Sesame Street recording of The Garbage Man Blues. His passion for bluegrass is evident in his tasteful, yet driving banjo and harmony singing. He lives in Mendon, MA with his wife.
Alex MacLeod grew up in bluegrass. His father and mother, Sandy and Geri, exposed him to the music early on. While his dad Sandy played in the band, his mom clogged with the Ralph Case Cloggers in Maryland. With a classic leading voice and rock-solid rhythm guitar, Alex has served as front man for several bands in the region including Northern Lights, Southern Rhode, Back Eddy, and the Iron Skillet Band. A talented songwriter, Alex has penned Starry Southern Nights, the title track from their debut album, as well as Wanderlust, their most recent single and title of their new project. He lives in Charlestown, RI with his wife and four daughters, Raechel, Maicey, Grace, and Piper.
Billy “BT” Thibodeau boasts an undeniable bluegrass pedigree and he brings his high tenor and lead vocals, along with his fastidious mandolin and splendiferous guitar playing to Rock Hearts. A multi-instrumentalist, Billy has been picking and singing bluegrass for several decades. Cutting his teeth with his Dad, Sam Tidwell and Uncle Bob in the Kennebec Valley Boys, he would later lead his own band, The Bill Thibodeau Band. He has also played with the Descendants of Bluegrass, Bluegrass Supply Company, and Union River Band, just to name a few. A member of the IBMA Leadership class of 2017, Billy currently teaches music and works at Rick’s Music in Cumberland, RI. He lives in Cumberland, RI.
Austin Scelzo was introduced to various fiddle traditions at Mark O’Connor’s early Berklee String Camps, learning from powerhouse players like Billy Contreras, Jason Anick, Casey Dreissen, Jeremy Kittel, Andy Reiner, Bruce Molsky, Mark O’Connor, and Christian Howes. Austin’s Bluegrass journey began with the Western CT based group the “Angry O’Haras”, then later “On the Trail“, with which he recorded fiddle and vocals. Austin is also an active bluegrass community advocate, teaching Wernick Method Jam classes, and launching the Connecticut Bluegrass Music Association. Austin was recently named to the IBMA Leadership Class of 2023, nominated for the 2023 IBMA Momentum Mentor of the Year, the 2024 IBMA Industry Involvement award and was recognized in his home state of Connecticut as a CT Arts Hero.
Rick Brodsky is a multi-instrumentalist who has played within numerous musical genres over the past 35 years. Rick is a regular on the Connecticut/New York bluegrass scene and has played bass for numerous regional and national artists including Jonathan Edwards, Jeff Scroggins & Colorado, The Korey Brodsky Band, Stacy Phillips & His Bluegrass Characters, and Laura Orshaw & The New Velvet. You can hear Rick’s bass playing on several of Ben Freed’s highly acclaimed banjo albums and more recently on Korey Brodsky’s 2015 album.
Saturday January 11, 2025 7:30 p.m. $25 (under 18 $10)
Linden Tree concerts continues into 2025 with encore performances with two of our favorite women singer-songwriters Les Sampou and Kerri Powers. Both sets will feature a lot of blues with bits of jazz and rock & roll. This year’s concerts are held at the Wakefield Lynnfield Methodist Church on Vernon St. Our regulars cite the friendliness, affordability, and exceptional national talent presented each month.
Les Sampou is an Americana singer-songwriter, who got her start in the Boston folk scene and moved on to national prominence and acclaim. Sampou has performed at Montreal Jazz Festival, SXSW, Toronto Blues Festival, Kerrville Folk Festival (where she won the New Folk Songwriting Award), Philadelphia Folk Festival, Winnipeg, and Falcon Ridge to name a few. Sampou has conducted workshops at Berklee School of Music and appeared on top syndicated radio programs such as Acoustic Cafe, World Cafe, and NPR. Sampou has released seven albums, five on her own label and two on Rounder Records. Her album, “Fall from Grace”, topped the Gavin Americana Charts nationwide. Her release “Lonesomeville” charted number 2 on the US/European Americana F.A.R. Chartsand led to her performance at the SXSW Conference in Austin, TX. To date, Sampou has released seven albums of original material (See Sales on Menu). In 2021, Les won the 26th Annual International Songwriters Award for lyric writing for her song “LIES FROM TRUTH.”
Sampou, who lives on the South Shore of Boston, began playing in the streets in what she terms as “relatively late in life,” at twenty five..After cutting her teeth in the streets, Les began playing area clubs, before Sampou found the coffeehouse scene. Her first album “SWEET PERFUME” caught the attention of legendary DJ Dick Pleasants and it soon was on the doorstep of Rounder Records where she was immediately signed. Rounder released “Fall From Grace” and it hit the top of the charts of Gavin Americana Radio. Sampou’s third disc, the eponymously-titled album “LES SAMPOU,” was a departure from her folk and blues sound and her penchant for rock began to color her voice and her writing.
When Sampou and Rounder parted ways, Les released her first all-acoustic, country-blues album, ‘BORROWED & BLUE’” on her own label, MoNando Music. Always side-stepping categorization, this time Sampou put out a collection of the guitar-based country-blues—original and classics—tunes that were a staple in Les’s live shows.
But, it wasn’t until her album ‘LONESOMEVILLE,’ that Sampou feels like she “hit her stride.”recorded Lonesomeville live in two days with Ducky Carlisle, mix engineer, added his acclaimed rock edge to the Americana set of blues and soul-tinged country tunes..“Powerfully expressive, her new album, “Lonesomeville,” was a personal Top Ten favorite of the year.” STEVE MORSE, BOSTON GLOBE/ ROLLING STONE
Les dedicating another album to the singer-songwriter coffeehouse scene for its support of acoustic musicians. The national coffeehouse scene for decades has presented acoustic concerts in the halls of churches run by volunteers. “I dedicate this album to every promoter and volunteer, and to the audiences who find their way to “the church of music. Ours is a lucky community and I’m blessed to have been taken into its fold all these years.” says Sampou.
Sampou’s seventh and most recent project “LIKE YOUR VIBE” is the result of the last few years of collaborations with select musicians worldwide. In order to build her catalog of TV/FILM-ready songs, Sampou and her collaborators created cross genre songs from “1969” co-written with Andre Lund from Norway, an indie rock song about the 1960’s counter culture, to the dark, vampire-themed song “Dreadful Love” co-written with Israeli Roy Osherove to “Boy Blue” a country rock ballad co-written with Axel Bauer from Austria. After accumulating twenty plus collaborations, Sampou and her partner Ed Grenga placed many of the songs on TV and Film.
Singer-songwriter Kerri Powers channels blues and soul with an eye-to-eye, earthy sensibility that makes for honest listening and reflection. She’s your sage girlfriend speaking from the heart and does so with a new collection of songs written from a place of grief and longing – something that speaks to us all. She’s one of the finest country blues fingerstyle guitar we’ve had on our stage. “Powers’ exceptional vocals are matched with outstanding songwriting. A lifetime of creativity infuse her original songs with mournful, redemptive catharsis.
With ‘Love is Why,’ Powers’ first self-penned full-length album since 2018, the New England-based artist explores the universal emotion of love and its huge influence on our decisions. In particular, she examines love in the context of holding on or letting go through human loss and grieving. The album’s original songs were written during the pandemic and after Powers lost her father, whom she calls “my best friend.”
Recorded in 2021, Kerri says, “I wrote the songs from a place of loss and grieving and went from there.” “Writing the songs was hard but a necessary part of healing. At the end of the day, all the songs were written from a place of love for humanity and the need to spread the message that love is essential.”
Kerri’s critically acclaimed album “Love is Why” has been praised by notable music journalists Lee Zimmerman, John Apice, Bucky O’Hare, and more and has been reviewed for Americana Highways, No Depression, Blues Blast Magazine, as well as landing on several ‘Top Albums of 2023’ lists for non-comm and Americana and Blues radio. “When it Rains” stayed at the #1 spot on the Roots Radio Rock Music Charts for several weeks.
“I don’t know where this young lady came from, but it’s got to be a secret place. This is not the kind of singing and performing that can be easily taught. It has to be in your spirit, in your blood, and the fact that she is from the Northeast will confound the artists down South, in the Delta, in Memphis, Clarksdale, Austin, and Nashville.” John Apice/No Depression
Tickets for this concert are $25. Homemade baked goods and beverages hot and cold are sold before the show and during intermission. Doors open at 7 with the show beginning at 7:30pm. For preferential seating call 781 246 2836 by noon on performance days.
Linden Tree concerts are now held at the Wakefield Lynnfield United Methodist Church at 273 Vernon St. Wakefield, MA 01880 Easy to find from 95. Parking Lot by church rear entrance. Handicapped access too.
Join us for our Winter Potpourri 2024, hosted by Wakefield’s Kirsten Manville and featuring Mark Zelermeyer & Friends. The $10 minimum donation will be shared with the Wakefield Food Pantry.
The evening will showcase James Cooke, Mel Green, Tom Hanlon, Paul Hatem, Jan Luby,Dan Margarita, Secret Sauce, and Matthew Sowersby, playing two songs each trying to win a future Linden Tree gig.
Host Kirsten Manville will share her melodic and lyric-focused Americana music, with a touch of blues and country. Her songs have singable lyrics and memorable melodies that capture stories about every day life , the ups and downs and in-betweens. Her latest CD is “Blossoms in the Sun.” It was a Top 5 pick in the September 2022 is- sue of Metronome Magazine.
Mark Zelermeyer & Friends will also perform a set. Telling stories about everyday life, Mark’s songs are always thoughtful and engaging, with lyrics ranging from poignant to funny, heartfelt to uplifting. Backed by Bob Metzger on guitar and John Vandale on bass, Mark and the band have been steadily building their fanbase as they perform around Greater Boston and beyond, as far away as England. Voted “Audience Favorite” at last year’s Linden Tree Coffeehouse Potpourri, their second full-length album will be released early 2025. According to Metronome, “Mark Zelermyer delivers a collection of poignant songs on his debut release, Prior to Leaving.”
Linden Tree’s 40th season continues with Joe Crookston on Saturday, November 2 at 7:30 pm. He is a gifted songwriter, guitarist, banjoist, artist, fiddler, slide guitar player, eco-village member and believer in all things possible. He was named 2016 Folk Alliance International Artist-in-Residence. His recent CD, Nine Becomes One, was published in 2023, features ten new songs. Besides being a multi-instrumentalist, Joe’s stage presence is quietly thoughtful and meditative and then funny as hell.
Joe Crookson is a master storyteller with songs that are universal, historical, humorous, and mystical. Several songs have been and are being made into movies. His first album Able Baker Charlie and Dog went to #1 on the folk-acoustic DJ charts and was named Album of the Year (2008) by International Folk Alliance. Many of his songs are based on true American stories such as the one he wrote about Florence Hemphill, a WWI Nurse from Kansas, or Roko Camaj, a World Trade Center Window Washer from NYC.
The song Blue Tattoo was made into a documentary film honoring the life of Dina Jacobson a Auschwitz Holocaust Survivor. There is a trailer for Brooklyn in July on his website. His rhythm is infectious and with the lyrics and voice, Joe’s the whole real deal who gains new fans at every show when he tours the USA, Ireland, and Canada. His love of his craft is obvious and his talent outstanding. His shows are entertaining one-man multi-media productions. Joe also brings his love of imagery to life on stage through the songs and his original paintings projected behind him, adding to the magic of a Joe Crookston performance. Audiences leave his shows inspired.
The Linden Tree Coffeehouse takes place in the social hall of the Wakefield Lynnfield United Methodist Church, 273 Vernon Street in Wakefield. There is a parking lot behind the church, and it is handicapped accessible. The show begins at 7:30 pm, doors open at 7:00. Homemade baked goods and beverages are available. Tickets are $25 (those under 18 $10) Reservations: 781 246-2836.
Linden Tree Coffeehouse 