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Jesse Welles Featured in PBS Documentary on Mary Oliver Jesse Welles has been featured in a recent PBS documentary about renowned poet Mary Oliver, reading one of her most celebrated works. This is a wonderful moment that brings together two voices: one beloved by generations of readers, and one carrying her legacy forward. Who Was […]

When you listen to Jesse Welles, you can practically hear the veil between lie and truth being lifted. The Ozark, Arkansas, singer, songwriter and guitarist has emerged as a singular voice in folk and Americana, pairing plainspoken lyrics with rock ‘n’ roll attitude and an unflinching willingness to address the world around him. In 2024, […]

Jesse Welles takes the fight to Dillon Amphitheater The bard from Arkansas mixes protest with his signature wit and musicianship in a red-hot show beside the lake. Jesse Welles may only be 33, but he’s got the bio of a musician much older. From his early days growing up in Arkansas steeped in Dylan, Nirvana […]

Rocky Mountain Folks Festival Day One: Heat, Humor, Protest Songs and Jesse Welles Day one of the 36th annual Rocky Mountain Folks Festival in Lyons was a marathon… Arthur Lee Land was waiting there. Arthur is one of those musicians who seems inseparable from Lyons and the Planet Bluegrass community. I’ve seen him around this area many […]

Jesse Welles had a concert in Richmond scheduled for July 29 but cancelled it once he arrived and realized the venue workers were on strike. Rather than continue to support the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden for not paying their workers a living wage, he promptly cancelled the show. In solidarity with the workers on strike […]

No president has ever been more obsessed with being liked by celebrities, especially music stars, than Donald Trump. Suffice it to say, they have not returned the favor. In the decade-plus since he first slid down his golden escalator and announced his first run for president, Trump has inspired an enormous number of protest songs. Songwriters […]

Jesse Welles appeared on NPR’s World Cafe with Raina Durus. A great interview discussion about his history and songwriting, as well as playing a few of his latest songs.

Minnesota Country Club Festival makes a scorching first impression by Joel Swenson Saturday afternoon belonged to Jesse Welles, who flat-out stole the entire weekend. Armed at first with just an acoustic guitar, harmonica, and a message, the folk singer gave a masterclass in holding a festival crowd’s attention on his own before his four-piece band […]

Jesse plays: Ahead of his highly anticipated debut at the Hudson River Music Festival on June 21, Jesse Welles stopped by the Relix office during a run of New York City performances to deliver three powerful songs touching on love, loss, and the growing influence of Silicon Valley. Currently crisscrossing North America with performances in […]

Jesse was also nominated for Emerging Act of the Year in 2025 and received the Spirit of Americana/Free Speech Award.

ROB SCHMITZ, HOST: Jesse Welles sings the news. (SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “WAR ISN’T MURDER”) JESSE WELLES: (Singing) War isn’t murder. Good men don’t die. Children don’t starve and all women survive. SCHMITZ: His song “War Isn’t Murder” has millions of views across social media. (SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “WAR ISN’T MURDER”) WELLES: (Singing) Let’s talk about […]