The legendary singer-songwriter and leader of the folk revival, Tom Rush, to appear at the historic Opera House in Boothbay Harbor, alongside rising star Matt Nakoa Aug. 2.

Now celebrating six decades of touring, Tom Rush has been thrilling audiences here and abroad with hits like "No Regrets," "Circle Game," "Remember Song," "Urge for Going" and "Merrimack County." His impact on the American music scene has been profound: he helped shape the folk revival in the 60s, the folk-rock movement of the 70s, and then the renaissance of the 80s and 90s, his music having left its stamp on generations of artists. James Taylor, Emmylou Harris, Tom Petty and Garth Brooks have cited Tom a major influence. On Saturday, Aug. 2, Tom Rush comes to Boothbay Harbor to perform at the historic Opera House.

Tom Rush began his musical career in the early 60s playing the Boston-area clubs while a Harvard student. Club 47 was the flagship of the coffee house fleet, and he was soon holding down a weekly spot there, learning from the legendary artists who came to play, honing his skills and growing into his talent. He had released two albums by the time he graduated. Rush displayed then, as he does today, an uncanny knack for finding wonderful songs and writing his own – many of which have become classics re-interpreted by new generations. His early recordings introduced the world to the work of Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne and James Taylor. Subsequently, his Club 47 concerts brought national attention to emerging artists such as Nanci Griffith and Shawn Colvin.

In the early 70s, folk turned to folk-rock, and Rush, ever adaptable, saw more room to stretch out. He toured tirelessly with a five man band, playing concerts across the country. Endless promotional tours, interviews, television appearances, and recording sessions added up to five very successful but exhausting years, after which Tom decided to take a break and “recharge” his creative side at his New Hampshire farm.

Rush returned with a splash in 1981, selling out Boston’s prestigious Symphony Hall in advance. Time off had not only rekindled Rush’s love of music, it had re-ignited music audiences’ love of Rush.

He instinctively knew that his listeners were interested in both the old and the new, and set out to create a musical forum like the Club 47 of the early sixties to allow artists and newcomers to share the same stage. In 1982, he tried it out at Symphony Hall. The show was such a hit it became an annual event, growing to fill two, then three nights, and the Club 47 series was born. Crafting concerts that combined well known artists such as Bonnie Raitt or Emmylou Harris with (then) unknowns like Alison Krauss or Mark O’ Connor, Rush took the show on the road. From the ’80s to the present day, Club 47 events have filled the nation’s finest halls to rave reviews, and have been broadcast as national specials on PBS and NPR.

Tom is appearing at the Opera House with Matt Nakoa. The Berklee grad studied songwriting with Pat Pattison and Livingston Taylor. He was also selected to collaborate with Grammy winner Kathy Mattea during her residence at Berklee. In addition to appearances with Tom Rush, Matt is touring with his band. For more about him, visit https://mattnakoa.com

Advance discounted tickets, $30, available directly from the box office at 86 Townsend Avenue, Boothbay Harbor, or by calling 207-633-5159. Regularly priced tickets, $35, are available at the official website: https://boothbayoperahouse.com/.  Doors for seating open at 7 p.m. and the music of this folk legend begins at 7:30.