Consummate folksinger, children's book author, and composer, Tom Paxton continues to look at life's ups and downs, sometimes poignantly, sometimes in hilarious detail. An integral part of folk music since arriving in Greenwich Village in the early 1960s, via Chicago and Oklahoma, Tom has been a primary influence on three distinct generations of folk musicians and is now being "discovered" by a fourth. Whether addressing issues of injustice and inhumanity, laying bare the absurdities of modern culture, or celebrating the bonds of family, friends, and community, Tom's songs -- "Ramblin' Boy," "The Last Thing on My Mind," "Bottle of Wine," and "What Did You Learn in School Today," to name but a few -- endure.

These days, Tom writes a bit more about growing older (inspired by his own life), as well as younger (inspired by his grandson). Last year he was nominee for a Grammy award for his children's album, Your Shoes, My Shoes. This year, he will be back at the early February award ceremony for his album, Looking for the Moon (Appleseed), which is a contender for best Contemporary Folk Recording.