Update (3:28 p.m.): This show is now sold out, according to the Mill.
Mary Gauthier and Ray Wylie Hubbard are scheduled to play the Mill tonight night at 8 p.m.
Gauthier’s honest, heartfelt songwriting has garnered praise from legends like Tom Waits and Bob Dylan. In fact, in a 2006 New York Times article, Dylan specifically listed Gauthier’s “I Drink,” as being one of the great contemporary drinking songs (The track title is certainly appropriate).
Gauthier has released nine records over the last 16 years, racking up a few noteworthy awards along the way. The artist was recognized as the “Best Country Music Artist of the Year” at the Gay and Lesbian American Music Awards, and was named “New Artist of the Year” by the Americana Music Association.
Recently, Gauthier has been touring extensively in support of her first live album, Live at Blue Rock, which was released late last year. The process she went through in preparation for its release was arduous, Gauthier notes:
“It took 10 years of trench work,” Gauthier said. “Of bein’ out there, banging my head against all the things an artist has to bang against. Indifference. Poor attendance. Situations that are over your head. Every night, curve ball, curve ball, curve ball. But stagecraft cannot be taught. You have to be onstage to learn it. So after 10 years of doin’ it, I got good at it.”
Ray Wylie Hubbard is no newcomer to the folk/country music scene, either. He began recording in 1971, and is best known for having written “Up against the Wall, Redneck Mother.”
Hubbard credits his songwriting ability to his love of words, drawing as much inspiration from reading poetry from authors like Rainer Maria Rilke as he does from listening to blues greats like Lightnin’ Hopkins.
After over 40 years in the music scene, Hubbard may look grizzled, but the musician doesn’t show any signs of slowing down. Just last year, in fact, he released Grifter’s Hymnal. During an interview about that record, the musician also spoke about his plans for the future.
“I’m 65 and still scuffling! I didn’t want to peak too soon and I don’t want to be a nostalgia act, so I keep trying to learn new things and make it work,” Hubbard said. “The carrot’s still out there for me.”
Tickets are $22 in advance and $25 on the day of the show. More information can be found here. This show is presented by the Englert Theatre.
