music
B y B e n j a m i n L e r n e r
Downs,”“ Lady of the Island,”“ Our House,” and the generation-defining anthem“ Teach Your Children”— helped define a cultural moment and continue to resonate today. As a solo artist, Nash’ s albums Songs for Beginners( 1971) and Wild Tales( 1974) delivered introspective and politically charged standouts like“ Military Madness,”“ Chicago,” and“ Simple Man,” all of which underscored his singular voice as both a lyricist and a messenger. Across decades of solo work, duo collaborations with David Crosby, and iconic CSNY reunions, Nash’ s music has remained rooted in truth, clarity, and conviction. His Tanglewood performance comes on the heels of his most recent solo album, Now( 2023), a deeply personal, fiercely honest, and sonically expansive record that underscores his undiminished creative brilliance. In addition to his music, Nash’ s lifelong passion for photography has earned him international acclaim. His images— captured with the same clarity and emotional truth as his songs— have been featured in galleries and museums around the world, most recently culminating in his 2021 book A Life in Focus. Whether holding a guitar or camera, Nash remains committed to chronicling the human condition with honesty and hope. In the weeks before his return to the Berkshires, I talked with him for a wide-ranging conversation about his memories of Tanglewood, his newest album, the magic of songwriting and photography, the evolution of music in the modern era, and the enduring connection between his artistry and his audience.
The Dream Lives On
GRAHAM NASH RETURNS TO TANGLEWOOD WITH EMMYLOU HARRIS
On Tuesday, July 29, Graham Nash will return to Tanglewood with Emmylou Harris for a double bill at the Koussevitzky Music Shed. Their show will take place 50 years after they each took the stage in the summer of 1975 at the storied Lenox venue during the Popular Artists Series.( Emmylou Harris was on the same bill as James Taylor on July 22, 1975, and Graham Nash performed with David Crosby on August 29, 1975.) Harris and Nash’ s upcoming performance at Tanglewood promises to
rekindle a pivotal moment in music history. For some concertgoers, it will be a throwback to the golden age of 1970s Americana, folk, rock, and singer-songwriter music.
From his early, formative years with The Hollies to his essential role in shaping the harmony-driven, socially conscious sound of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young( CSNY), Nash has penned some of the most enduring songs in the modern American songbook. With CSNY, his compositions— such as“ Marrakesh Express,”“ Pre-Road
Lerner: There have been a handful of significant 50th anniversaries at Tanglewood over the past year— James Taylor just celebrated the 50th anniversary of his first Tanglewood performance, Bonnie Raitt has hers coming up, and you and Emmylou Harris performed in the same summer series 50 years ago with James. When you reflect on that original concert in 1975 and your return to the same stage five decades later, what does it mean to you?
Nash: It means a great deal to me. It means that I’ m still alive. It means that I’ m still rocking. It means that I’ m still passionate about what I do. And I’ ve always loved Tanglewood. It’ s always been a beautiful place to play, and I’ m really looking forward to the show with Emmylou.
Lerner: You both have such incredible discographies. What does sharing the bill with her mean to you in terms of how your music complements hers?
30 // BERKSHIRE MAGAZINE July 2025