91.9 WFPK Presents: Shawn Phillips with Tyrone Cotton

The man whom Bill Graham called “The best kept secret in the music business”, who taught Joni Mitchell her first guitar techniques, also taught George Harrison of the Beatles his first lessons on Sitar, the man who wrote the music to Donovan’s “Season Of The Witch” and has played with many of the finest musicians in the world including Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood. He’s produced 27 Albums and is known around the world for his refusal to bow down to commercialism in the music industry. He has done what many singer/songwriters don’t do, which is continue to evolve his creative skills in his concerts. When he comes into a venue, he brings the sounds of an entire symphony orchestra in real time, and plays the songs so many love as close as possible to what was recorded on the albums. All in real time! All solo! He has a powerful new show he is debuting on his 2023 tour. This is a show you do not want to miss!

Tyrone Cotton’s earliest musical revelation was listening to the raspy, inspirational voice of his grandfather, the Reverend Cleveland Roosevelt Williams, at his childhood home in Louisville, KY. At a young age, Cotton began playing guitar along to the sounds of popular rock and blues artists. Overtime, he was influenced by Jerry Garcia, Jimi Hendrix, Buddy Guy, and Mississippi John Hurt, who intrigued Tyrone with his “finger pickin’ and soft, wispy voice.” Inspired by this wide variety of artists, Cotton developed a style of writing that blended soul, folk, blues, jazz, and rock n roll. He has become a staple in the Louisville music scene over the past 30 years, being well recognized for his stirring voice and lyrics. Cotton has toured throughout the United States and Japan, with plans to continue performing in the US this year. He is currently working on a new album with producer Josh Kaufman. Kaufman is best known for his work with The National, Bob Weir, and Josh Ritter.