In August, the Shelter Island Library’s Summer Dialogue series hosted a conversation between Tom Junod and David Browne about the dearth of contemporary protest songs, especially at a time when there is so much to protest.
Gerry Mooney, a music producer based in East Hampton, contacted Christopher Walsh, who wrote about the program in The Star, to let him know that Charlie King and Rick Burkhardt will be performing in the community room at Windmill Village II, 219 Accabonac Road in East Hampton, on Sunday at 7 p.m. Mr. Mooney knew about the performance because he is producing it, and it’s not his first rodeo with Mr. King.
“I have been putting on Charlie King concerts, going to them, giving his albums and CDs out as presents, for over 50 years,” Mr. Mooney said in an email. “Charlie is just the best.” Pete Seeger agreed, calling Mr. King “one of the finest singers and songwriters of our time.”
A musical storyteller and political satirist, Mr. King sings and writes songs about the extraordinary lives of ordinary people. He received the annual Phil Ochs Award in 2017 in recognition of his music and activism for social and political justice. His songs have been recorded by Seeger, Holly Near, Ronnie Gilbert, Arlo Guthrie, Peggy Seeger, Chad Mitchell, and John McCutcheon, among others.
According to Billboard magazine, “His message songs vary between the funny and the frightening, but he pulls them off with unvarying taste, musical skill, and charm.”
As for Mr. Burkhardt, he is an Obie Award-winning composer, playwright, and performer whose works have been performed in over 50 U.S. cities and abroad. Along with Andy Gricevich, he is part of the Prince Myshkins, about whom Sing Out magazine said, “Anyone who aspires to write political satire should hear this brilliant duo.”
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