10/22/2019- You likely know him for his visual art, but a local man who got his start in music some fifty years ago is making his way back to those roots with the release of his very first album. Rusty Wolfe spent years working as a songwriter in Nashville, producing hits for the likes of Johnny Cash and Loretta Lynn, before turning his efforts towards a different type of career in art to provide a more reliable income. But, after being coaxed into recording the jingle for last year’s myMarinetteMenominee movement, he found himself unable to stop making music. Now, he’s ready to launch his first complete album, titled The Dream, inspired by 70 years of life well-lived.
“There is a song about what it was like being the delivery room and looking at both of my sons when they were delivered, looking into their eyes. I’ve written a song about the social conscience of the nation, and actually, the world. And then there’s a song called “This Old Town” which was written about Marinette and Menominee. In general, these are life experiences.”
Wolfe, who benefited greatly from the generosity of others when he lost all his possessions in the devastating Nashville floods in 2010, has since made it a point to give back as often as he can. That’s why he’s chosen to perform a concert featuring songs from his new album this Saturday to benefit the M&M Area Community Foundation’s Future Fund, which provides a $50 savings account to all kindergarten students in Marinette and Menominee Counties.
“We have tried to lead our lives in such where we could give pieces of ourselves to the community and organizations that needed it and that’s where the Future Fund came in. I think so far we’ve raised enough for over 300 kindergartners and that to me is very, you know, it’s a big deal.”
Tickets for the Future Fund concert, held at the UW-Green Bay, Marinette Campus at 6 p.m., are free but must be picked up in advance at the MMACF office at 1110 10th Ave in Menominee. Wolfe’s new album, The Dream, goes on sale this week at the Main Street Antique Mall in Marinette and can also be purchased at Saturday’s concert.