Tom Rush to play Vinegar Hill on Friday

Tom Rush, a folk musician who gained popularity during the 1960s, jokes he’d like new listeners to know that he is “a musician–but that’s okay”, as behind closed doors some musicians tend to have a certain bad reputation.

His proudest achievements, he said, have been raising three terrific children and being able to put them through college with the money he has made from his biggest hit and favorite song, “No Regrets.”

Rush, who lives in Massachusetts, will be performing at Vinegar Hill Music Theatre in Arundel at 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12.

His most recent album, “Gardens Old, Flowers New,” released in 2024. FolkAlley.com said in a review of the album that Rush’s “lyrical whimsy and ingenuity captures moments of human vulnerability and celebrates the joys of life and love.“

When asked to describe his music in three words Rush said with a smile, “brilliant, provocative, and jaw-dropping.”

When asked about finding inspiration for his sound, he said it's the crowd that inspires and drives him to continue making music after all these years.

“I get paid to have a good time, it’s a very good gig,” he said.

His favorite place to perform is in front of a large group of people.

“It’s all about connecting with the audience,” he said.

He has become well known for storytelling during his shows, often receiving requests for his stories.

Rush refers to his newest mantra, “the audience doesn’t want perfection, they want connection.” It’s alright to make mistakes, he said, as long as the audience feels like they know who you are as a person.

Rush can recall back to his very first show, 65 years ago, like it was yesterday where he was “terminally nervous.” Preparing for a show now is drastically different from how he would in his earlier career; he finds that taking a nap and throwing on his “special show shoes” is simply all he needs before he goes on stage. Nowadays, he has toned down to around 50-60 shows a year.

In addition to making music, he is working on many different books. One being a book of short fun essays, a second about the lyrics he has written, and another on reasons why you probably don’t want to become a traveling musician, he said.

To Rush, the music industry has become “a whole different world.” He leaves aspiring musicians with the advice of, “If you’re in a band you want to own the name.”

Angelina Keizer is a student at University of New England and a UNE Community News Fellow.