Wrenshall News: Wrenshall musician sings online, takes requests

The arts have been an important refuge for folks during this global pandemic. For some it might be binge-watching a TV series or catching up on the bedstand stack of books, but in Wrenshall the community is getting creative with how they are taking in and producing a shared culture. Seniors in Jeanna Aldridge's class recreated famous works of art using only materials they had at home. Wrenshall's Tom Cawcutt Sr. has started a weekly live concert series from the comfort of his own home.

Cawcutt started playing the piano when he was 3 years old. His father was a concert pianist and his grandmother and great-aunt encouraged him to pursue his love of music. While he earned a living as a millwright at Sappi for 39 years, he toured with bands. For the last few years he has played with the Maxi Childs trio but his last public performance was in December.

Cawcutt has produced six albums and has a few different music setups in his home. When he heard about the death of Kenny Rogers he started playing on his Yamaha Clarinova and recorded a version of "Lady" that he put out on Facebook. The response was so positive he decided to do a little more.

So his wife Robin set up a camera and recorded a 30-minute set. Since then he has been getting requests and followers and his Friday evening concerts have now become a regular gig.

"I play everything from Billy Joel to Elton John. I don't do a lot of country but I do a few from the Eagles and I like Brad Paisley," Cawcutt said. When John Prine and Bill Withers passed away, he played a few of their songs in tribute.

I asked what his most unusual request has been and he said someone asked for "Ave Maria" a couple weeks ago.

"I asked if they wanted the Shubert version or Bach because I thought they were just messing around. They asked for the Shubert version so I was pleasantly surprised," he said.

You can watch along live on Cawcutt's Facebook page or search for the sessions on YouTube under "Tom Cawcutt Sr." Requests can be sent on social media or text before the show. He usually tries to keep it under an hour.

If you have a Wrenshall-related story or related trivia contact Anne Dugan at 218-310-4703 or [email protected]