A Tribute To Jack Hardy – available now

Jack Hardy

In honor of the fifth anniversary of his death, Smithsonian Folkways presents A Tribute to Jack Hardy, featuring 26 previously unreleased recordings of Hardy’s songs by an illustrious group of performers, all of whom cited him as a key influence and a personal friend.

Performers include album producers Mark Dann and David Massengill, joined by contemporary folk standouts including Nanci Griffith, Suzanne Vega, Jonathan Byrd, Red Molly, Lucy Kaplansky, Brian Rose and many more. Jack Hardy himself, known as a welcoming host for weekly songwriting workshops who also founded the Fast Folk magazine/label, is also included via two unreleased tracks recorded shortly before he died.

The 105-page liner notes include Hardy’s “Songwriter’s Manifesto,” complete lyrics, photos, and personal tributes, anecdotes, and essays from the participating singer-songwriters.

The Jack Hardy Band – ‘Ponderosa’: