Three good friends – top songwriters all – bring their extensive songbooks to the Freight for an “in-the-round” evening of hilarious stories and wonderful music.

A Freight favorite since the 1970s, Steve Seskin has enjoyed tremendous success in Nashville, with a boatload of songs recorded by Tim McGraw, Neal McCoy, John Michael Montgomery, Kenny Chesney, Collin Raye, Peter Frampton, Waylon Jennings, Alabama, Mark Wills, and Peter Paul and Mary. His song “Don't Laugh At Me” was a finalist for the Country Music Awards Song of the Year in 1999 and has spurred an entire tolerance movement, launched by the Don’t Laugh at Me Project. Steve grew up in New York and currently lives just up the road in Richmond. He “has the gift of song,” says the San Francisco Chronicle. “His voice has a natural lilt that can’t be learned. The combination of musicianship and repertoire makes for a rich and satisfying musical experience.”

Craig Carothers’ latest album is called The Vagabond, which seems like a good title for a man who’s driven more than 80,000 miles the past few years performing all over the country. His songs have been recorded by Peter, Paul and Mary, Kathy Mattea, Lorrie Morgan, Sons Of The Desert, Kate Markowitz, Andrea Zonn, Berkley Hart, and Trisha Yearwood, whose version of “Little Hercules” earned him a gold record. The Birmingham News has praised his “smart, memorable material put across with abundant personality” and Patty Larkin says he “has a voice that should be famous.” When John Prine was asked about Craig, he said: “Who? Never heard of him.” Craig’s a cynic, a romantic, and a writer of songs that provide a great showcase for his charm and wit.

Don Henry, says Entertainment Weekly, “comes across as a first cousin to Randy Newman, writing hot-wired songs about born-again whores, interfaith marriages, and the homeless taking over the White House. This is funny and thought provoking stuff, all of it good.” The L.A. Reader calls Don “a piercingly insightful songwriter who uses irony like a scalpel.” Don’s songs have been recorded by legends like Ray Charles, Patti Page, and Conway Twitty, as well as by Blake Shelton, Lonestar, and Jimmy Wayne. He won a Grammy for Kathy Mattea’s version of “Where’ve You Been” as well as Song of the Year honors from the Academy of Country Music, the Country Music Association, and the Nashville Songwriters Association International. He’s shared the stage with a vast array of artists from Keith Urban to Joey Ramone. His songs tend to be both funny and thought-provoking, and he sings them with great tenderness and humor. He and Craig have a new album, 2-FBYCR (two if by car), and if we’re lucky, we’ll get to hear a taste of it tonight!

Visit Steve Seskin's website

Visit Craig Carothers's website

Visit Don Henry's website

Listen to a track from Steve Seskin:

Listen to a track from Craig Carothers:

Listen to a track from Don Henry: