A trio of folk music legends will reunite at next Monday’s annual Eugene O’Neill Lifetime Achievement Award Celebration as one of the founding fathers of American folk music, Pete Seeger, has just confirmed that he will join another folk legend, Tom Paxton, on the program honoring singer-songwriter Judy Collins.The Eugene O’Neill Award is given annually by Irish American Writers & Artists, Inc. to a writer, actor, musician, painter or other type of artist who has created a body of work that places them among the great artists and entertainers of all time.
“There is no one in the history of the folk music movement who casts a bigger shadow than Pete Seeger,” said IAW&A president and best-selling author T.J. English. “As a song writer, singer, and activist for human rights for more than 50 years, Seeger is a legend, and his desire to honor Judy Collins at the Eugene O’Neill Lifetime Achievement Award event will make this a night of significant historical importance.”
Celtic rock legend Larry Kirwan will emcee a program that will include writer-director John Patrick Shanley (winner of the artist’s trifecta – an Oscar, Tony and Pulitzer Prize); actor-author Malachy McCourt; Celtic songstress Ashley Davis; and a video tribute by Charles Hale to highlight a festive evening of “Literary Libations.”
The award, created by Tiffany & Co., will be presented Mon., Oct. 15, 2012 at a celebration starting at 6:00 PM at the Manhattan Club above Rosie O’Grady’s in Times Square, just a few blocks from where Eugene O’Neill was born. Ticketing information is on the IAW&A website.