About Lon Austin

Lon Austin is a venerable Arizona folk singer-songwriter whose influence on the folk music scene has persisted for over four decades. Ingrained in the culturally diverse southwest, Lon captures the essence of a very unique blend of people, landscapes, and history, weaving them into the rich fabric of his musical creations. His distinctive sound is a delightful fusion of storytelling, simple melodies, and insightful lyrics, resonating deeply with those who have the pleasure of experiencing his art.

From the early stages of his work in the community, Lon has shown a remarkable ability to craft captivating narratives, accompanied by  his guitar, banjo and ukulele. His lyrics are a touching mix of personal anecdotes, science fiction elements, and universal themes that come from a long history of experiences along the trail.

Lon's journey into the heart of Arizona's folk scene can trace its roots back to his high school days in the 1960s. As the melodic harmonies of The Kingston Trio and the soulful tunes of Peter, Paul and Mary floated through the airwaves, a young Lon felt the tug of music's call. He purchased a guitar, hungry to emulate the sounds he admired, but soon realized that while he couldn’t quite mimic their voices, he discovered something else; the raw, visceral energy of Woody Guthrie’s folk style that he could indeed resonate with.

With a new guitar in his hands and admiration for Guthrie inspiring each chord, Lon explored the depth of Americana. He sang many of Guthrie's songs, finding his own voice in their simple, yet profound narratives. He was inspired by Gail Gardner’s poem, “Tyin’ Knots In The Devil’s Tail;” one of the most beloved of the cowboy poems, rich in the history of old Prescott. These experiences brought Lon closer to the realm of cowboy songs and cowboy poetry. They echoed his memories of Joe Evans' storytelling and Pecos Higgins’ reciting of old cowboy poems, all the while, resonating the old tales recounted by his uncles and grandad.  These early influences became the foundation upon which Lon would later build his own musical identity. 

A pivotal moment in Lon’s artistic development came when he moved to San Francisco, a city buzzing with artistic vibrancy. It was in the warm confines of Faith Petric's living room where Lon found himself amidst a hub for folk singers. As Faith hosted her Friday night folk music gatherings, Lon absorbed the spirit of communal music sharing. These sessions became stepping stones to the open mics and coffeehouse stages where Lon honed his craft before returning to Arizona.

Back home, with the red hues of Arizona’s landscapes providing inspiration, Lon began writing original songs. His songwriting mirrored a Guthrie-esque simplicity—songs composed of an infectious chorus and three heartfelt verses, sharing a tune and telling a tale. 

It was from Utah Phillips that Lon learned the art of song as a storytelling vehicle, the realization that a song could serve as a platform to halt the music and weave a narrative. This art of storytelling within a song became a signature element of Lon's performances.

Lon’s path is marked by his commitment to sincerity and tradition; the echoes of his early listening carved into his musical DNA. His songwriting tells us not of a man who simply observed folk customs but one who immersed himself within them, knitting together the threads of cowboy poetry, Guthrie's straightforward song-craft, and a lifetime of stories told under vast Western skies.

Today, Lon embodies these traditions with grace, carrying on the legacy of his influences through his own authentic voice—a voice that has, in its turn, become an inspiration to those who now walk the folk paths of Arizona. Drawing from a tapestry woven with the threads of his musical forebears and rich personal experiences, Lon Austin stands as a minstrel of the southwest, bridging past and present with each strum.

Beyond his extraordinary talent as a songwriter and musician, Lon stands as a pillar in the Arizona folk music community. His dedication to fostering local talent is evident in the programs he’s created on his journey down the trail.  Many will remember Lon’s influence in the creation of the Encanto Park coffeehouse, a key juncture in his journey that eventually gave rise to The Mexican Beaded Lizard Band. Through this endeavor, he has provided artists with a stage to craft and share their work, enriching the cultural landscape. He created the Phoenix Folk Traditions Music Festival, established the Glendale Folk & Heritage Festival, and initiated the Peoria Library Monday Night Melodies. Lon continues to support and maintain these local festivals, showcases, and the Arizona folk culture itself. His contributions are essential in fortifying the preservation and dissemination of Arizona’s American folk heritage.