Jesse Colin Young to Participate in 2021 Champions of Democracy

Jesse Colin Young to Participate in 2021 Champions of Democracy on Thursday, May 20

The livestream event will start at 7pm Central with all funds raised supporting Common Cause Illinois’ LeadershipSix Internship Program

On Thursday, May 20, legendary singer songwriter Jesse Colin Young will perform during Common Cause Illinois’ 2021 Champions of Democracy and 50th Anniversary Celebration. All funds raised will support Common Cause Illinois’ LeadershipSix Internship Program, a one-of-its-kind, 12-week program that recruits 24 interns each year and provides them with an outstanding policy training and leadership training experience.

The event will kick off at 7pm Central / 8pm Eastern, and will feature speeches from a number of Illinois politicians and leaders, including Senator Dick Durbin, as well as performances from an amazing group of artists and creatives.

“Democracy is a gift worth celebrating and I’m so excited to join Common Cause Illinois in their Champions of Democracy celebration next week on May 20th,” said Young. “The virtual event will feature guest speakers as well as musical performances by Corky Siegel, The Joffrey Ballet, and my personal hero Yo-Yo Ma, among others. Don’t miss out on this one!”

Young recently released his 22nd solo album, Highway Troubadour, via BMG. Highway Troubadour marks the first truly solo acoustic record for Young since his debut album, 1964’s The Soul of a City Boy.

Recorded with just two AEA A440 ribbon microphones to capture warmth – one for his voice, and one for his guitar – Highway Troubadour features newly-recorded solo performances of songs from Jesse Colin Young’s entire catalog, including a revised take on the Youngbloods’ “Sugar Babe” and an intimate version of “Cast a Stone” from his critically-acclaimed 2019 release, Dreamers.”

Critics are loving Highway Troubadour:

“He’s singing to us with his warm vocals, his cascading fingerpicking, and we’re sure happy that Jesse Colin Young is still riding the highways as our troubadour.”
-Folk Alley

“…he’s still the folkie he always was, loaded with warmth and inclusiveness well before they became the buzzwords they are now.”
-Midwest Record

“…when he was finally able to make a return to music last year with Dreamers, his first album in 13 years, his return to music made his life feel fully complete. Now, with a new project, tellingly-titled Highway Troubadour, a circle is complete as well.”
-Rock and Roll Globe

For more information on Jesse Colin Young, please visit www.jessecolinyoung.com.

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About Jesse Colin Young

A pioneer of American roots music for more than half a century, Jesse Colin Young has left a unique mark on the intersecting worlds of folk, blues, jazz, country, and rock & roll. As the front man of the Youngbloods, he immortalized the ideals of the Woodstock generation with “Get Together,” an international hit that called for peace and brotherhood during the turbulent 1960s. During the decades that followed, Young expanded both his audience and his artistic range, releasing a string of solo albums that mixed socially conscious lyrics with top-tier guitar skills and gorgeous vocals. An acclaimed songwriter, singer, instrumentalist, producer, label owner, podcast host, and longtime social/environmental activist, he has established a permanent place in America’s musical landscape, while continuing to make modern music that’s every bit as vital as his work during the countercultural era.