Folk Singer Performs Final Outdoor Concert at the Library

The Wheaton Public Library's Summer Sampler Music Series ended Sunday, Sept. 19 with a performance by folk musician, Steve Justman. Justman played his acoustic guitar and banjo, and sang popular hits from artists such as Johnny Cash, Dean Martin and Steve Goodman. 

"Once upon a time folk music could sell a million records, now people ask, 'What's a record?'."

Steve Justman jokingly chided about the changes in the music industry during his concert at the Wheaton Library on Sunday afternoon. Justman performed traditional Americana folk music for the last outdoor performance of the Summer Sunday Sampler series concert funded by the Friends of the Wheaton Library. The upcoming monthly concerts will be called the Sunday Sampler series.

"It was a pleasure to come and listen to his music," said Ruth Boltz. "Acoustic music is so rich in it's sound, it's the best." 

Boltz sang along with the rest of audience, who remembered old favorites after just a few opening chords to each of his songs.

"Some songs get better with age," Justman said. "Just like wine."

Justman performs for libraries, community events, several senior centers and a variety of other venues. He has performed on WGN radio and has made several local public broadcasting appearances.

Assistant Library Director, Carolyn DeAre said that Friends of the Library tries to book a variety of music for the monthly concerts. "It's a wonderful way to bring the arts to the citizens," she said. Usually, the performer gives a bit of history behind the music or instrument they play, making performances educational, entertaining, cultural—"very much what we want to do" at the Library, DeAre said. 

The upcoming concert at the Wheaton Library will be performed by Tom Sharpe on Sunday, Oct. 10 in the Large Meeting Room on the lower level of the Library. Sharpe plays world music using percussion and keyboard instruments. The music blends genres from Middle Eastern, African, orchestral and rock music.