Tom Rush is an American folk singer/songwriter who began performing in 1961 while studying at Harvard University (he majored in English literature). Quickly, he became a regular on the East Coast folk circuit. A lot of his early recordings are versions of Lowland Scots and Appalachian folk songs. His first album saw the light of day in 1962.

Credited by Rolling Stone magazine with ushering in the era of the singer/songwriter, Rush sang songs by then new songwriters such as Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne, James Taylor, Murray McLauchlan, helping them to gain recognition early in their careers, in addition to performing his own compositions.

On his 1970 self titled album Tom Rush - his 7^th album - he covers songs from fellow folkies such as Jackson Browne, Murray McLauchlan, James Taylor and David Wiffen, with a hint of country sneaking into the arrangements.

The music of Tom Rush has left its stamp on generations of artists. James Taylor once told Rolling Stone, "Tom was not only one of my early heroes, but also one of my main influences."