Tom Rush

Folk & Blues Singer-Songwriter & Guitarist; Influential Figure in American Roots Music; Known for "The Circle Game" & "No Regrets"

Kittery, ME, USA
Live Event: $10,000 - $20,000 Virtual Event: Please Contact More Fee Info
Entertainment, Music
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Tom Rush Biography

Tom Rush is an American folk and blues singer, guitarist, and songwriter whose career spans more than six decades, establishing him as a significant figure in American roots music. Rush began performing while attending Harvard University, where he majored in English literature. He became a frequent presence at Club 47, the Cambridge, Massachusetts coffeehouse known for nurturing early folk artists, and soon became a regular on the East Coast folk circuit. Rush also performed at the Unicorn in Boston, where he recorded his first album, a live set titled "Tom Rush at the Unicorn," before releasing "Got a Mind to Ramble" and "Blues, Songs and Ballads" with Prestige Records.

Rush's signing with Elektra Records marked a pivotal point in his career. His repertoire, previously focused on folk and blues standards, expanded with "Take a Little Walk with Me," which included covers of Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, and Bo Diddley, as well as his first original song. "The Circle Game" is widely regarded as his most influential album, featuring material from Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, and Jackson Browne before their rise to prominence, along with "No Regrets," Rush's best-known original composition. Rolling Stone noted that "The Circle Game" helped usher in the singer-songwriter era.

Rush is credited with helping launch the careers of James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne, and others by recording and performing their songs early in their careers. His song "No Regrets" became a folk standard, recorded by artists including Harry Belafonte, Waylon Jennings, Emmylou Harris, and the Walker Brothers. James Taylor cited Rush as a major influence, and Garth Brooks has named Rush among his top musical inspirations.

After moving to Columbia Records, Rush recorded four rock-oriented albums that reached the middle range of the Billboard 200, including "Tom Rush," "Wrong End of the Rainbow," "Merrimack County," and "Ladies Love Outlaws." Following a period away from the music industry, Rush returned to performing, selling out venues such as Symphony Hall. He has consistently supported emerging artists, with his early recordings introducing the work of Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne, and James Taylor, and his Club 47 concerts later providing a platform for artists such as Nanci Griffith and Shawn Colvin.

Rush's career reached new audiences when a video of him performing the song "Remember?" became a viral hit. He continued to engage listeners with albums including "What I Know," "Voices," and "Gardens Old, Flowers New." "Voices" marked the first time Rush wrote the majority of the songs on an album, featuring ten originals and two traditional folk numbers. He continued to perform and record, with "Gardens Old, Flowers New" offering an introspective collection of original songs. Known for his blend of melancholic ballads, gritty blues, and on-stage humor, Rush remains a prominent figure in American folk and blues music.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 10/09/2026.

Tom Rush Videos

Interview with Tom Rush

Interview with Tom Rush

Fred Ames sits down with Tom Rush to discuss his career and his upcoming prefromance at Oakes Memorial Hall. Made by Adam Carreiro

Tom Rush on Living On Music

Tom Rush on Living On Music

There aren't many more amazing moments than sitting an talking to a guy like Tom Rush, who as a seminal folk legend at 81 is still going strong, back...

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  • How do I book Tom Rush to speak at my event?

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  • What are the speaker fees for Tom Rush

    Speaking fees for Tom Rush, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Tom Rush are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and available upon request for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Tom Rush, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

  • What topics does Tom Rush speak about?

    Tom Rush is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Entertainment, Music

  • Where does Tom Rush travel from?

    Tom Rush generally travels from Kittery, ME, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.

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Tom Rush is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics. The estimated speaking fee range to book Tom Rush for your event is $10,000 - $20,000. Tom Rush generally travels from Kittery, ME, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Sawyer Fredericks, Ashland Craft, Seaforth, Robert Finley and Ray Wylie Hubbard. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Tom Rush for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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