Robert Lester Folsom Toured With Jacksonville Band
The 71-year-old musician has returned to the stage to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his debut album.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Alternative
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Musician Robert Lester Folsom has completed a 30-date tour alongside a backing group of Jacksonville musicians. The series of shows comes as Folsom celebrates the 50th anniversary of his 1976 album Music and Dreams.
Why it matters
Folsom believes that modern audiences are drawn to the raw, flawed aesthetic captured in his original 1970s recordings. His recent resurgence has introduced his catalog to a new generation of listeners following a 2010 reissue.
The artist successfully completed 30 tour dates in early 2026, reaching audiences such as the 500-person capacity crowd at The Chapel in San Francisco. Folsom is currently preparing for a new leg of at least 12 international and domestic performances.
The players
Robert Lester Folsom
He is a 71-year-old singer-songwriter who left his painting career to pursue music full-time.
Brooke Garwood
She is the band member who cold-called venues to book the group's first West Coast tour.
Mexican Summer
This record label manages the reissue of Folsom's catalog and released his latest album.
The details
After meeting Brooke Garwood at the Riverside Arts Market in 2023, Folsom assembled a band of local musicians to bring his compositions to the stage. The group, which includes Landon Gay, Jeremy Marshall Blanton, Jeremy Prince, Kevin Peacon, and Owen Barrett, follows the April 2026 release of his latest project, If You Wanna Laugh, You Gotta Cry Sometimes.
Timeline
Robert Lester Folsom recorded his debut album in 1976.
A major reissue of the album occurred in 2010.
Folsom and bandleader Brooke Garwood first met in 2023.
The album If You Wanna Laugh was released in April 2026.
The band finished their initial 30-date tour in late May 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This story follows a pattern set by the 2010 Mexican Summer reissue of Music and Dreams, which originally catalyzed the current international interest in Folsom's work. The revival underscores a broader industry trend where labels successfully leverage reissues to build touring demand for legacy artists.
Fans in the Jacksonville area can expect an upcoming anniversary show to celebrate the 50th year of the artist's debut album. Those in the UK and Europe should look for local listings as the band expands their touring footprint to these new international markets.
The takeaway
Legacy artists often find new success by pairing their classic catalogs with modern backing bands that resonate with current touring trends. Listeners interested in the genre can look for the recent 50th-anniversary reissue, which includes contemporary reinterpretations by artists like Beach House.
Further reading
Explore more about the local scene in the Alternative section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Jacksonville Today.
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