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Tom Smith, folk singer

Biography
Born in 1949 in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Tom Smith attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, and Lesley University, where he graduated with a Masters of Education. While attending MIT, Tom developed his passion for folk music and was active in the Cambridge, Massachusetts folk scene in the 1970s and 1980s. He performed solo and with his old-time music band, the Harvest Home String Band. Influenced by musicians of the American folk music revival and tempered by anti Viet Nam war activism, Tom Smith's performances combined the music of old-school folk music performers with songs based upon contemporary issues. From the 1980s to the present day, Tom continues performing traditional and original folk songs and poetry.

Tom Smith's original songs are reminiscent of old folk songs, though several have a distinctly contemporary subject. One example is his Talking Post Trauma Blues, a talking blues in the style of Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan, dealing with the subject of returning Iraq War veterans dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Smith's non-musical professional career as an educator has influenced his music making. Tom started a weekly series of performances at the Boston Children's Museum (then in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts) in 1975 which continued for several years. His first recording for children, If You Want Any More You Can Sing It Yourself was released in 1979 by Penny Wise Productions. Tom followed up this initial release with a 1981 recording of songs and stories for children, entitled Chip Off The New Block, by A Gentle Wind. Tom has also performed family concerts annually at the New England Folk Festival in a nearly unbroken string from 1980 to the present day.

Since 2000, all of Smith's published recordings are available online from his website.

Discography
Chip Off the New Block, A Gentle Wind recording of songs and stories for children

If You Want Any More You Can Sing It Yourself, Penny Wise Productions, out of print, available online.