FRUITA — Grand Junction singer-songwriter John Winn moved to New York City in 1960 just as the folk music scene was emerging in the lower West Village. He played in the same coffeehouses as Bob Dylan. The two singers made a road trip to Ann Arbor, Mich., together to perform in one of the era’s early folk festivals.

Winn performed on stages with Dylan, Judy Collins and Jose Feliciano, and toured nationally with the Belafonte Singers. He also performed with other folk artists at Carnegie Hall in New York.

Winn wanted to settle in Grand Junction, however, and so Grand Valley audiences have been the recipient of Winn’s music for the past decade.

Tonight, Winn and Friends — Terri Marie and Cullen Purser — will perform for free at the Fruita Civic Center pavilion as part of Fruita’s free summer concert series.
Terri Marie plays bass, Native American flute and harmonica and will open the concert by playing a set of her original music. Later, she’ll accompany Winn on several of his songs.

“She’s a really fine musician,” Winn said.

Terri Marie will perform Native American flute with Winn on “Skiing Song.”

“‘Skiing Song’ is one of my big hits. It’s one of the most downloaded songs on iTunes,” Winn said.

Terri Marie will also perform vocal harmonies with Winn, as well as accompanying him on several songs with her bass and harmonica.

Cullen Purser will perform the second set of the show.

“He’s Fruita’s own fabulous singer-songwriter, balladeer,” Winn said. “He has a beautiful voice.”

Purser will perform original songs with his homemade Whipple guitar. Purser has also built a guitar for Winn, and is working on a third guitar. Before he started building guitars, Purser was a harp builder.

Winn’s set will open with the song “Where the Rivers Run Together,” a song that Winn won first place for at a songwriting contest for Mesa County’s 125th anniversary celebration at the Mesa County Fair.

Winn has four CDs: “Canyon Wind,” “Colorado Mountain Song,” “Apple Pickin’ Time” and “Wild Stallion.”

The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. and will end about 9:30.

The American Cancer Society will sell hamburgers during the show, the proceeds of which will benefit the ACS.

Reach Sharon Sullivan at ssullivan@gjfreepress.com.