KINGSTON, R.I. — September 12, 2006 — Famed folksinger and songwriter Tom Paxton will speak and perform at the University of Rhode Island on Tuesday, Sept. 19 in Edwards Auditorium at 7:30 p.m.

His visit is part of URI’s Honors Colloquium, Songs of Social Justice: The Rhetoric of Music. The semester-long series examines how music is used as a means of expression, persuasion, and mobilization. All events are free and open to the public.

Paxton is revered by fans and fellow musicians for his musical brilliance and his dedication to addressing issues of social justice. His songs satirize modern culture and celebrate family and community.

His presentation at URI, “A Musical Documentary: 50 Years of History in Song,” is bound to delight audience members of all ages.

Paxton got his start in New York’s Greenwich Village coffeehouses. His performance at the 1963 Newport Folk Festival was recorded and released as his first album by Vanguard Records. In 1964, he signed with Elektra Records where he recorded his best known works.

He has performed thousands of concerts around the world, including an annual performance in Great Britain since 1965.

Memorable Paxton songs include “The Last Thing on My Mind,” “Ramblin’ Boy” and “Whose Garden Was This.”

Visit www.uri.edu/hc for the colloquium schedule and directions. For more information, contact the URI Honors Center at 401-874-2303 or debg@uri.edu.

Major sponsors for the series are The Providence Journal, the URI Division of University Advancement, the URI Honors Program, the URI Office of the President, and the URI Office of the Provost.