August 18, 2002 Tom Paxton to Perform 9/11 Tribute

Folk singer-songwriter Tom Paxton will perform on the Neptune Plaza of the Library of Congress’ Thomas Jefferson Building on Tuesday, Sept. 10 at noon. Recipient of the ASCAP Foundation 2002 Lifetime Achievement Award in Folk Music, Paxton is the composer of such classics as “I Can’t Help But Wonder Where I’m Bound,” “Under American Skies,” “Peace Will Come, and Let It Begin With Me,” and “The Bravest”—a tribute to the heroes of the New York police and fire departments who died on September 11, 2001.

Cosponsored by the Library’s Music Division and the American Folklife Center, the concert is part of the “Homegrown 2002” outdoor concert series and the “I Hear America Singing” musical heritage celebration. It is also one of many public programs at the Library of Congress to mark the anniversary of September 11, 2001. Other commemorative events include an exhibition, “Witness and Remembrance: September 11 Acquisitions at the Library of Congress,” film and video presentations, panel discussions, gallery tours, curatorial talks and scholarly programs sponsored by the Library’s Public Service Collections Directorate.

Tom Paxton has been an integral part of the folk music community since the early 1960s, winning fans worldwide with songs that have become part of the American vernacular, such as “Ramblin’ Boy,” “The Last Thing on My Mind,” and “Bottle of Wine.” Paxton’s compositions—recorded by Willie Nelson and Placido Domingo, among others—have stirred the emotions of three decades of audiences. Under the aegis of his children’s label, Pax Records, Paxton has released several acclaimed albums, including Suzy Is a Rocker, winner of the prestigious Parents’ Choice Gold Medal. Songs like “My Dog’s Bigger than Your Dog,” “Going to the Zoo,” and “The Marvelous Toy” have led to a successful series of children’s books, published by Morrow Junior Books. Paxton hosted the acclaimed BBC Radio series “Tom Paxton’s America” and has been named honorary chairman of the board of the World Folk Music Association.

Additional concerts in the September 11 anniversary series are a noontime performance by the Virginia Grand Military Band, offering a program of American band classics on Sept. 12 in the Library’s Coolidge Auditorium (no tickets required); and an evening appearance by singer- songwriter Suzanne Vega on Sept. 13 at 8 p.m. (Tickets available through TicketMaster, (301) 808-6900 or (202) 432-SEAT.) For further information call (202) 707-8432.