Once a regular on the Caffè Lena stage, Loudon Wainwright III gained a reputation as one of the folk-rock scene's true characters back in the mid-70s when he blasted out of Caffè Lena's orbit to enter an illustrious career of national renown. His talent for writing humorous and nakedly honest autobiographical songs has landed him GRAMMY nominations for "I'm Alright" (1985) and "More Love Songs" (1986). In 2010 he won the GRAMMY for Best Traditional Folk Album for "High Wide & Handsome: The Charlie Poole Project."
His lyrically compelling, emotionally powerful songs have been recorded by Bonnie Raitt, Johnny Cash, and (his son and acclaimed singer-songwriter) Rufus Wainwright, among others. He has written for film and television, including the soundtrack for Judd Apatow's Knocked Up, ABC's Nightline, and HBO's Boardwalk Empire. You can also catch him on screen in films directed by Martin Scorsese, Christopher Guest, Tim Burton and Judd Apatow, as well as in TV shows such as Parks & Recreation, Undeclared, and M*A*S*H.
In 2017 he release a memoir detailing the family history his lyrics have referenced and the fractured relationships among generations: the alcoholism, the infidelities and competitiveness, as well as the closeness, the successes, and the joy. He reflects on the experiences that have influenced his work, including boarding school, the music business, swimming, macrobiotics, sex, incarceration, and something he calls Sir Walter Raleigh Syndrome.
Location
Caffe Lena (View)
47 Phila Street
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
United States
