Stuart Ferguson

"Stuart Ferguson writes songs that capture your imagination, and sings them in a voice that is addictive to the ears." -- Ellis PaulStuart Ferguson is an exciting voice on Boston's thriving acoustic music scene. Raised in a musical family, the Newton, MA native is a classically trained flautist. During college he stepped away from the world of classical music to pick up the guitar and begin writing songs. By the late eighties Stuart was immersed in the Boston/Cambridge open mic scene, from wh...

"Stuart Ferguson writes songs that capture your imagination, and sings them in a voice that is addictive to the ears." -- Ellis PaulStuart Ferguson is an exciting voice on Boston's thriving acoustic music scene. Raised in a musical family, the Newton, MA native is a classically trained flautist. During college he stepped away from the world of classical music to pick up the guitar and begin writing songs. By the late eighties Stuart was immersed in the Boston/Cambridge open mic scene, from which emerged a new crop of literate songwriters including Patty Griffin, Ellis Paul, Dar Williams, and Vance Gilbert.With influences as varied as Lou Reed, Joe Strummer, Woody Guthrie, Gram Parsons, and Luka Bloom, Stuart’s tenor voice displays broad emotion moving through a lyric to deliver songs that are stories and poems of personal struggle and redemption. Stuart’s songs speak to the core of the human condition, thoughtfully exploring themes that are often avoided. He dives into the darker territories of addiction and despair and yet somehow, he seamlessly guides you into the realms of unconditional love and hope. Stuart's contemporary acoustic sound will appeal to those who enjoy the simplicity of traditional folk as well as those who appreciate more elaborate instrumentation and vocal arrangements. With driving rhythms and weaving melodies, this musical journey is pure satisfaction. Stuart has one self-released CD, “Shackles & Ties,” and his latest CD, “Love Songs (and Other Tall Tales),” was released in November 2010 on 5th Chakra Records.A finalist in the 2009 Boston Folk Festival Songwriting Competition, Stuart has been featured at a number of New England venues including Club Passim, The Wachusett Music Series, The Amazing Things Arts Center, The Center for Arts in Natick (TCAN), Perks Coffeehouse, The Java Room, Naked City Coffeehouse, The Nameless Coffeehouse, and Mocha Maya’s. He has played around the country from Bellingham, WA to Morgantown, WV, worked as a member of Ellis Paul’s band, and shared the stage with Dar Williams, Flynn, Vance Gilbert, Don White, Jim Infantino, Jon Svetkey, Peter Mulvey, and Geoff Bartley. Alone or with his band “The Fashionistas” (Phil Punch, Lyn O’Conor-Ferguson, Fred Abatelli, and Lori Diamond), Stuart’s live performances are dynamic and emotional."Stuart tells stories that have the ring of an unadmitted truth. His voice is clear and haunting, his delivery is honest and unflinching. Unlike the all-too-common introverted songwriter Stuart's songs tell the hard stories many of us know, but few give voice to. A troubadour has a specific job to do -- and Stuart knows how to do that job." -- Jim Infantino"...Stuart Ferguson writes and performs a collection of stunning, heartfelt songs on his album Shackles & Ties. He's an excellent guitar player and fine singer who demonstrates an amazing ability for capturing life's unending moments in song. And although his compositions seem to have an underlying current of sadness, there is a strong sense of hope derived from Ferguson's acute observations. You won't find any filler on Ferguson's album either. As with many folk singers, after three or four songs, you get the message. All eleven songs on Shackles & Ties are masterfully crafted and performed..." -- Metronome Magazine (May 2008)What’s great about listening to Stuart Ferguson’s music is that I genuinely want to listen to it over and over again because I know I’ll hear something new or hear something differently in his music or lyrics. How many singer/songwriters do you know that can take you with them to show you the things they want you to see and hear in the songs they write and sing? Doing that is a gift that Stuart is sharing with us all if we take a moment to say yes to his invitation to join him. Stuart’s tempo changes and image-laden lyrics will keep your interest throughout Shackles & Ties and even catch you off-guard too. Stuart tells a story with each song that you want to hear over and over again to make sure you get that last crumb and when each song ends, you long to have it on again. Pick up his CD and let his music become intertwined in your life of music."-- John Campbell - Host of Independents Uncovered on WGMUradio.com (April 2008)