Chris Smither with The Suitcase Junket July 19

A true American original, Chris Smither is one of the finest singer-songwriters of our time. Rooted in blues and folk, his signature fingerpicking guitar and rhythmic foot tapping create a mesmerizing live experience. With a career spanning over five decades, Smither’s soulful songwriting has been embraced by legends like Bonnie Raitt and Emmylou Harris. His latest album, All About the Bones, continues his tradition of raw, poetic storytelling.

Opening the evening is The Suitcase Junket, the one-man musical force of Matt Lorenz. A master of thrift and invention, Lorenz creates a sound far bigger than one person should—playing a battered dumpster guitar, homemade percussion, and singing in a raw, mesmerizing style. Hailing from rural Massachusetts, he crafts songs that weave together blues, folk, rock, and the grit of a roadhouse jukebox. His latest album, The End is New, produced by Steve Berlin (Los Lobos), channels a world in flux, blending dark humor, hope, and raw truth. Don’t miss this captivating performer who turns salvage into song and solitude into spectacle.

Gates open at 6:30 p.m. for the 7 p.m. concert. Bring your own seating, and feel free to bring a picnic, we just ask you to carry out what you carry in. Rain or shine, no refunds. Don’t miss an unforgettable evening with these unique master musicians at the Ross Farm!

Host or Publisher Friends of Boudinot-Southard-Ross Estate