Mountain City Traditional Arts Presents Canadian Singer-Songwriter James Gordon

Mountain City Traditional Arts Presents Canadian Singer-Songwriter James Gordon

Oct 2, 2025 8:00 AM

Frostburg State University's Mountain City Traditional Arts will host Canadian singer-songwriter James Gordon on Wednesday, Oct. 15, at 7 p.m. at 25 E. Main St. in Frostburg. The live entertainment is open to the public through general admission with a suggested donation of $15.

Gordon has had a remarkably diverse and resilient career in the Canadian cultural sector. As a solo singer-songwriter and with the ground-breaking trio Tamarack, he's recorded 42 albums and toured around the world. He's written for symphony orchestras, scored films, and for more than ten years was heard on CBC radio as songwriter-in-residence.

Between tours, Gordon is a record producer, playwright, community activist, theatre director and currently has a part-time 'side hustle' as a Guelph City Councilor. These days he's perhaps known as the composer of the viral internet hit "Crybabies Caravan", about the so-called 'Freedom Convoy' in Ottawa. It's received more than 300,000 views and stimulated a lot of inspiring discussion.

Gordon's last album, 'The Heritage Hall Sessions' on Borealis Records charted internationally in the roots, singer-songwriter, and Americana categories. His newest album "When I Stayed Home" is just out, as is his unique 'musical novel' "The Ark of the Oven Mitt" which includes a downloadable recording of 36 original songs that move the plot along.

Though he could certainly begin to enjoy retirement, Gordon continues to tour, saying, "I'm getting to be quite an elderly gentleman now. The reason that I still do this, is that every now and then, there are moments where I feel that what I've contributed through my art or through my music, has landed with someone that means something to them." He continued, "I do it because I can make connections with my music. I want to make sure that I am still relevant and doing something that resonates with people, and when it does, that is still a pretty great feeling for me."

MCTA is a program of FSU and a founding member of Maryland's Folklife Network. It receives support from the Maryland Traditions Program of the State Arts Council. For more information, call 301-687-8040.