Sean Magwire with Kai Wilson

A native of Angola, Indiana, Sean grew up listening to The Beatles on an old tape deck before learning guitar at age 14. Gypsy by nature, he spent his early 20s tumbling around the country, living and performing in multiple states before settling in Chicago. From 2012-2016, Sean was writing, recording, and performing with award-winning Chicago folk act, The Lulabelles. As a member of The Lulabelles, his song "Between the Cracks" won the 2015 John Lennon Songwriting Contest Grand Prize for Folk. As a solo artist, Sean’s song “Erase this Day” was awarded both the Grand Prize and Lennon Award (Song of the Year) for Folk in the 2022 John Lennon Songwriting Contest. In 2023, Sean was selected as a Finalist in the Troubadour Contest at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival (CO) and a Finalist in the Al Johnson Songwriter Contest at the Wildflower Arts & Music Festival (TX). Sean also placed 3rd in the Rocky Mountain Songwriting Contest and performed at the 2022 Red Lodge Songwriting Festival in Red Lodge, Montana.

Sean’s songs have been featured in print, radio and television programs around the world, including WGBH’s All Things Considered, The Boston Globe, PBS, NPR, and ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation).

In 2023, Sean will be performing around the country at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival (CO), Whitefish Songwriting Festival (MT), Wildflower Music & Arts Fest (TX), Black Bear Americana Festival (CT) and Windsor Lake Summer Concert Series (MA).

Links: Website | YouTube | Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram

This event and other Buttonwood Tree events brought to you by our generous donors, volunteers, and the following organizations: