Michael Hurley Tribute (led by Lewi Longmire)
Celebrating the music and legacy of a true American original

Michael Hurley was one of the most distinctive and beloved figures in American folk music—a songwriter, storyteller, cartoonist, and cult hero whose influence spanned generations and genres. Born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Hurley came of age in the 1950s, absorbing the sounds of Fats Domino, The Everly Brothers, and Bo Diddley from the radio, while digging deep into the haunting records of Blind Willie McTell, Hank Williams, and Uncle Dave Macon. These early inspirations formed the roots of a musical voice that was wholly his own: wry, mystical, ramshackle, and profoundly human.

Hurley’s songs—both whimsical and wise—sounded like unearthed relics from a parallel America, rich with wandering spirits, talking animals, and cosmic heartbreak. From his early days among the beatniks of Greenwich Village to becoming a cherished figure in the 21st-century indie-folk revival, his music never stopped reaching new ears. He described it best himself: “jazz-hyped blues and country and western music.”

Also a prolific visual artist, Hurley’s cartoon characters and watercolor illustrations became synonymous with his work, adorning album covers and tour posters alike with a style as instantly recognizable as his songs.

Though he passed in 2025, Michael Hurley’s spirit lives on through the generations of artists and fans he inspired. In honor of his enduring legacy, Pickathon 2025 proudly presents a Michael Hurley Tribute, led by longtime collaborator and Portland music luminary Lewi Longmire, alongside The Croakers (his sometime local backing band for the last several decades) and a bevy of singers and musicians Hurley’s music held in its sway. Join us as we celebrate the singular songs and stories of Snock—Michael Hurley—in a performance filled with love, laughter, and reverence.

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