Mark, congratulations on opening for the last day of the 2026 festival! You were, of course, on hallowed ground. We understand you were invited. Please tell us about that.
First I know that there were a few influential folks lobbying for me to get on like my old buddy and bandmate, Darren Hill and music writer, Ken Abrams. I also have been playing a long time and have a body of work like anyone who’s been doing what I do. I have a few good albums out and made a little noise locally. I think my pals campaigning for me had a lot to with it though. But I do think I’m worthy to be up on that stage.
What were you thinking in your dressing room before you performed?
I was excited as hell to be part of this beautiful thing. The Newport Folk Festival (and Jazz) is one of the things that makes me proud of being from RI. My wife Kelly and I got there 3 hours before the show, as requested. I had a show two days before so I was a bit hoarse but recovering. I was drinking a lot of tea and honey, playing the guitar and practicing my songs. Since my voice was scratchy, I wanted to warm up and get past that. I was also trying to decide if I would sing some brand new songs and play harmonica for the first time in front of a crowd. I was thinking about how nice it is to have this feeling, this pure kind of high at this stage of my life.
When you took the stage, were you thinking of the legends who have played at the festival since the first in 1959? That long list includes Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, Judy Collins, Pete Seeger, Johnny Cash, Shawn Colvin, The Allman Brothers, Linda Ronstadt and Brandi Carlile, who also performed on Sunday.
I was thinking of all those people along with Muddy Waters, Leadbelly, Son House, Howling Wolf and all my heroes. As I’ve said before, I know where I stand in the pantheon and it’s nowhere near their neighborhood but I’m happy to be drive though it and spend a little time.
Were you nervous?
I was nervous about my voice and remembering lyrics to new songs and playing harmonica for the first time. Once I got past those fears, I was purely psyched and the crowd was so welcoming and supportive that I felt like was home.
What are some of the songs you played?
My set list were all originals:
Fall Apart
I’m Just a Paycheck Away
Come Out to the Woods
Catching Up (new song w harmonica debut)
Can’t Give It Away
Ghost Guitar (new song)
Welcome Home
How did you select them?
I wanted to sing songs that would translate to solo acoustic the best and I wanted to play a couple of new songs that was excited to share.
We’re guessing that prior to yesterday, you attended the festival. When you did, did you ever imagine you’d be performing?
I had no expectation of playing the festival. I didn’t think at this stage of my career it was in the cards. But friends of mine campaigned for me and I’ve been putting albums out and I guess the folks thought it was time.
This was your hometown crowd, so to speak. Did the applause reflect that?
The applause and love I felt was so indicative of being with friends. It was one of the most beautiful moments in my life.
We have to ask: Did you get stuck in traffic coming or going?
We stayed in a hotel the night before so we didn’t get stuck coming in but leaving was another story!
When you got home, how did you decompress?
I’m still decompressing.
Three years ago, we wrote about your Same Thing Project, which you describe on its website as “one of the first organizations in the United States dedicated to community songwriting [defined as] ‘discovering one’s voice, alongside others, to create words and music for shared experiences and emotions—everyone becomes a songwriter. No music experience required.’ ” Is that still ongoing?
The Same Thing Project will be my calling for the rest of my life.
What’s next for Mark Cutler?
I’ll continue to write songs, play music to the best I can, conduct workshops and try to uplift anyone I can. I’ll try to remain grateful for things.
