John McCutcheon has been at the forefront of American folk music since the late '70s, covering a wide variety of traditions including Appalachian dulcimer and fiddle music, topical protest songs, and children's albums for respected folk labels like June Appal, Red House, and Rounder Records. A singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, he first made his name on the hammered dulcimer before moving into children's music in the '80s and '90s. Proficient on numerous instruments including both the hammered and mountain dulcimer, fiddle, guitar, banjo, and jawharp, McCutcheon has also performed widely as a storyteller, written several books, worked as a social and labor activist, and produced albums for other artists, making him something of a renaissance man. He has remained prolific well into the 21st century, releasing albums like the 2006's Mightier Than the Sword, 2013's 22 Days, and 2023's Together with fellow folk icon Tom Paxton.