Loudon Wainwright III

Traditional folk singer/songwriter and TV/film actor Loudon Wainwright III studied acting at Carnegie-Mellon University but dropped out to join the Summer of Love in San Francisco. Loudon wrote his first song in 1968 and released his first album in 1970, and his ensuing recording career spans a total of 23 albums including 2009’s GRAMMY-winningHigh Wide & Handsome. His style has been described as ‘witty’ and ‘self-mocking’; with perhaps his best-known work a novelty song titled ‘Dead Skunk (in the Middle of the Road)‘.

Loudon Wainwright songs have been recorded by Bonnie Raitt, Johnny Cash, Earl Scruggs, son Rufus Wainwright, and Mose Allison, among others. He has collaborated on the music for the hit movie Knocked Up, composed topical songs for NPR’s Morning Edition and All Things Considered, ABC’s Nightline, and recorded songs for the soundtrack of HBO’s Boardwalk Empire.

Loudon’s acting career includes a role as Capt. Calvin Spalding, the singing surgeon on TV’s M*A*S*H*, a stint in Pump Boys & Dinettes on Broadway, and more recent work in films directed by Hal Ashby, Tim Burton, Cameron Crowe, Martin Scorsese, Christopher Guest, and Judd Apatow. He also appeared as a regular in the TV series Undeclared.