I Got a Song, released in 2017, is the first-ever book exclusively devoted to the history of the Newport Folk Festival. It documents the trajectory of an American musical cornerstone over its 59 years.

My historical research is complemented by extensive new interviews with people who saw it all and who made it all happen, including festival producers George Wein, Bob Jones and Jay Sweet; artists such as Pete Seeger, My Morning Jacket’s Jim James, Judy Collins, Peter Yarrow (of Peter, Paul, and Mary), Colin Meloy (of the Decemberists) and Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy, and audience members from every era.

Surely the definitive account … offers a detailed and absorbing account of the festival’s history. … an indefatigable and engaging chronicler.
Lou Glandfield, The (London) Times Literary Supplement

 

A treasure trove for music fans … a great read, a thorough and entertaining account. … That positive, life-affirming spirit is evident in this book as well — I strongly recommend it.
Ken Abrams, No Depression

 

The book is so valuable to me, I can’t tell you. It brings back memories of things I’ve forgotten about. It’s so important that we know our own history.
Newport Folk Festival founder George Wein, in The Providence Journal