The Charm City Circulator Stops at First Thursday

Joining music lovers for an evening of incredible Americana music in Mount Vernon for our free First Thursday Concert with Paul Masson and Joshua James is a great way to kick off the holiday weekend. 

And if you're traveling from Penn Station, the Inner Harbor or any point in between, getting to the park is easier than ever before. The free Charm City Circulator runs until 9 p.m. Thursday with stops every 10 minutes along the Purple Route in West Mt. Vernon Park.  


The show starts promptly at 5:30 p.m. July 1st.  Just look for the monument and listen for the music!

Baltimore Unsigned Encore Edition with Paul Masson

Tune in at 8 p.m. Tuesday (and 9 a.m. Saturday) for an encore edition of Baltimore Unsigned, featuring Paul Masson.

After spending some time in New York, the singer-songwriter returned to the Baltimore area and fell back in love with writing music. Masson's spent much of 2010 on the road, making a name for himself throughout the northeast. His vocal stylings and intensity have garnered comparisons to Ray LaMontagne. And his work harkens back to a classic era of songwriters from 1970's.

When he spoke with Sam Sessa in October, 2009, he described his appreciation for the retro sound. “I have so many favorite records, like John Lennon’s The Plastic Ono Band and Neil Young’s Harvest and pretty much everything Hank Williams ever recorded," he said. "When I listen to music, there’s a sound that I love and you know, the modern sound, just didn’t fit with the kind of stuff I’m doing.”

Paul Masson plays WTMD's First Thursday Concert, with Joshua James, at 5:30 p.m. July 1st in West Mt. Vernon Park.

First Thursday Concert with Joshua James and Paul Masson

Kick off the Fourth of July weekend by joining thousands of music lovers for the next installment in WTMD's free First Thursday Concert Series at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, July 1st, in West Mt. Vernon Park.

Joshua James is a rising star on the Americana scene. His 2009 album, Build Me This, landed on numerous year-end, best-of lists on the strength of standout tracks like "Coal War" and "Magazine." James has developed a captivating live show while touring with artists such as John Mayer, David Gray and Ani Difranco, and he's coming to perform for you on July 1st.

Baltimore's own Paul Masson kicks off the show at 5:30 p.m. The singer-songwriter has spent much of 2010 on the road, making a name for himself throughout the northeast. His vocal stylings and intensity have garnered comparisons to Ray LaMontagne. And his songwriting harkens back to the era of Neil Young's Harvest.

Masson shared the bill with Joshua James during a memorable show at the 8 x 10 in October 2009.

Joshua James - "Weeds" from Townhall on Vimeo.

Joshua James: Cornhusker Soul

With a jaggedly sweet voice that speaks of the rolling hills and open plains of his native Nebraska, Joshua James plants the seeds of promise on his debut, The Sun Is Always Brighter. You may have heard infectious "The New Love Song" on TMD by now.

Many got a taste of this young talent at the Meyerhoff when he opened up for Glen and Marketa (The Swell Season), fresh off their Oscar win for Once.

Joshua sings of personal struggles of family members, the environment and tragic/historical figures amidst sparse musical accompaniment. The piano, accordion and steel guitar brushstrokes are so beautifully subtle, you might forget there's any at all! And that's a very good thing, because what I think will stay with you is his singing; it yearns and burns a welcoming porch light.

Be on the listen for Joshua James on Morning Sessions in the near future.

In the meantime, check out this little tour diary and a little mischief he got into at the end....




...and an this very, very cool Modest Mouse cover.