Hey Rhody Interview: Mark Cutler, Newport Folk Festival First Timer

When Mark Cutler saw an email asking him to play the Newport Folk Festival in early June, he wasn’t quite sure it was legit. “To be honest, I thought I was being pranked, some kind of scam,” he explains. “And then I found out it was real and I was blown away.”

Not that it wasn’t completely unexpected. Cutler’s name has been tossed around by devoted fans for years, not just to fill a coveted “local” slot at the festival, but to fill a “regular” spot in the lineup, if there is even such a distinction. “I know that a few friends of mine were really pushing for me to get in there; there was a nice little homespun campaign. But I never really expected anything to happen. And then out of the blue, it happened. I'm just so grateful.”

For many main stage daily openers at Newport Folk, the moment is more about the future; for Cutler, it’s a feather in his cap, long overdue recognition of 45+ years of dive bar gigs, opening acts, hot summer days and cold winter nights playing around the region. 

A Little History

RI-based Cutler has been a central figure in the region’s rock scene since the late 1970s. He first gained attention as leader and principal songwriter of The Schemers, a Providence band that blends punk, new wave and roots rock. The group won WBRU’s Rock Hunt in 1982 and Boston’s influential Rock ’n’ Roll Rumble in 1984, earning regional acclaim and national exposure, including a spot on MTV.

Cutler later co-founded The Raindogs, a Boston-based band that combines American rock with Celtic influences. The group released two albums on Atco Records and toured with artists including Bob Dylan, Don Henley and Warren Zevon. Cutler has maintained an active solo career and performed with projects including Men of Great Courage, The Tiny String Band, and The Dino Club. His songs are known for vivid storytelling, strong melodies, and a roots-oriented sound. In 2015, he was inducted into the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame. 

Playing NFF

“I'm very excited to be playing the festival,” he gushes. “It's really cool to have this happen at this point in my life.” In fact, he’s only been there as a fan once before. “Levon Helm was playing, and a few other acts, and it was fantastic. I think I also vaguely recall playing a small stage right outside the festival with RISA (Rhode Island Songwriters Association).”

For the uninitiated, Cutler’s sound is influenced by classic rock/blues acts like The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix and The Beatles. His music is certainly Newport Folk-ready -- think penetrating character-driven songwriting and strong guitar chops that rival artists like Springsteen and Petty. But he’s not widely known outside of New England. Indeed, many at the festival will be hearing him for the first time. 

“This is like a wonderful milestone, and I don't take it lightly,” he continues. “I'm going to play the songs that I do best, like ‘Come Out to the Woods,’ and ‘Just a Paycheck Away’ – songs that always resonate with folks. I want to play songs that people can latch on to, my strongest material that I can do solo. I'm taking this seriously. At this stage of my life, at this stage of my career, it's a pretty cool thing to happen. I think I'm worthy of playing there, but it's still special.”

Many of Cutler’s longtime fans, who flock to see him and his various bands perform seemingly every weekend, are along for the ride –- whether attending the festival or not. “The thing that's really been kind of overwhelming to me is just the happiness that people are expressing for me, just seeing how folks have really rooted for me,” he says. “It took me back a bit in the best way possible; people are really happy for me, and that means a lot.”

Cutler is admired for his leadership of the Same Thing Project, a songwriting workshop that he runs regularly at various sites around the region. The Project brings people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities together, including those with special needs, through free community songwriting workshops, where participants collaborate to write and record original songs, fostering creativity, reducing isolation, and strengthening community connections.

He plans to make the most of his time at Fort Adams. “I've been recovering from throat cancer for years now, and I feel like I'm just starting to make some headway; I really care about putting on a good performance at a legendary venue,” he says. “It reminds me of when I first went on tour with Warren Zevon. I remember Bobby Cotoia, the drummer for Beaver Brown, came backstage and he said, Mark, this is the first time, this is the only time that you get to do this. Just realize that. I've always tried to realize and appreciate those moments while their happening. And I'm appreciating this moment.”

The Newport Folk Festival is sold out. The waitlist on Dice tickets is active. Learn more at NewportFolk.org. 

Men of Great Courage playing “Come Out to Woods.”