For Your Grammy® Consideration

What People Are Saying

"Authentic" is a word rarely used in today's world of technology-driven music. John Lomax KNOWS 'authentic' and delivers it."

— Garth Brooks

“John, Thanks for sending me your "American Folk Songs" CD. Sounds great and I can tell you and your friends had a lot of fun making it! I love your selection of material. I'd forgotten about some of those.”

— Roger McGuinn

“John Lomax III and I share a great love for American Folk music, but John has generational cred! There’s nobody with more authority to speak on the subject, and he does so with style on this wonderful album.”

— Suzy Bogguss

"John Lomax III and I share a great love for American Folk music, but John has generational cred! There’s nobody with more authority to speak on the subject, and he does so with style on this wonderful album."

— Ranger Doug - Riders in The Sky

“The name Lomax is synonymous with folk music. The family
is considered deity to those of us who love and cherish American
roots culture. For over four generations, the Lomax’s have
rescued, preserved, played, promoted, sang, written and
produced works that have left an indelible mark all around the
world. Now at 80, John Lomax III has taken off his archivist hat
and has stepped up to the microphone to sing. John III’s first solo
effort is entitled “American Folk Songs” (named in honor of his
father’s landmark 1956 Folkways recordings which bore the same
title). I love John’s version of Froggy Went A Courtin’.
Somebody please give this man a Grammy®…”

— MARTY STUART
CONGRESS OF COUNTRY MUSIC
PHILADELPHIA, MISSISSIPPI

Press Release

The Whole Dang Story

Watch John Lomax III, who has just released his DEBUT CD at 80 years old, tell the story of why we even HAVE knowledge of classic American Cowboy Music, and how 3 generations of his family have championed this Americana history since the 1890’s.

Artist Bio

We are delighted to bring to your attention the remarkable milestone achieved by John Lomax III, who recently celebrated his 80th birthday and, to much admiration, released his debut album, American Folk Songs - a beautiful homage to his father’s iconic 1956 Folkways release of the same name (Amazon).

A Legacy Renewed
This project isn’t merely a first for John Lomax III - it is a powerful continuation of his family’s storied contributions to American folk music. The recording weaves together a tapestry of 18 to 20 songs deeply embedded in the Lomax tradition, including timeless pieces such as “Home on the Range,” “The Streets of Laredo,” “Goodnight, Irene,” and “Sloop John B.”

Artistry Anchored in Heritage
Produced by Matthew “Buster” Allen - known for his nearly 15-year tenure as Garth Brooks’s engineer - the album brings together talented musicians like Richard Bennett (acoustic guitar), Shawn Camp (fiddle guitar, mandolin,), Vince Farsetta (mandolin, banjo, dulcimer jew's harp),, Jim Hoke (clarinet, dobro, harmonica), ben "Jonesy" Jones (fife) and guest performances from the legendary Rattlesnake Annie and civic leader James Tristan Reding.. The result is a warm, evocative tribute that balances reverence for the family’s legacy with fresh, soulful interpretations.

A Storied Career Comes Full Circle
Hailing originally from Houston, Lomax III moved to Nashville in 1973 and began his career under the mentorship of “Cowboy” Jack Clement. Over the decades, he’s worn many hats - as a writer, publicist, boutique distributor, and artist manager. Among his notable clients: Townes Van Zandt, Steve Earle, David Schnaufer, The Cactus Brothers, and Kasey Chambers. In 2010, he was honored with the Country Music Association’s Jo Walker‑Meador International Achievement Award for his tireless efforts in sharing American roots music globally.

His input also extends to the archival realm - he’s donated extensive materials to Rice University’s Woodson Research Center, and his photographs helped shape Ken Burns’s Country Music documentary project (digitalcollections.rice.edu).

A New Chapter to a Family Chronicle
John Lomax III’s American Folk Songs marks a tangible, 21st-century contribution to a family recording legacy that traces back to the 1940s through his grandfather John Avery Lomax Sr., his uncle Alan Lomax, his aunt Bess Lomax Hawes, his father John A. Lomax Jr., his brother Joseph and multiple cousins.. As he aptly reflects: "It’s not about the singer. It’s about the songs and the heritage of our shared culture".