Eric Andersen, one of the founding fathers of the great American Folk Family is appearing in Prescott for two performances at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, May 18 and 19, in the Elks Crystal Hall, on the third floor of the Performing Arts Center, 117 E. Gurley St. Presented by the Folk Sessions, Andersen will be joined by Steve Addabbo on guitar.

Andersen, who was at the vanguard of the Greenwich Village folk music scene in the 1960s, has recorded 25 albums of original songs. His songs have been recorded and performed by world-renowned artists such as Ricky Nelson, Judy Collins, Sandy Denny, Fairport Convention, The Kingston Trio, Peter Paul and Mary, Linda Ronstadt, Johnny Cash, The Grateful Dead, Linda Thompson, Mary Chapin Carpenter and Francoise Hardy.

Andersen spoke with Across the Street ahead of the upcoming performance. The following interview was edited for length and clarity.

What do you like most about performing in small cities like Prescott?

Playing in small cities is great and offers wonderful opportunities to share the gifts you bring and be able to expose your music to new audiences, experience new landscapes, local colors, and meet new people. It reminds me of things I’ve missed and gives me the feel of the world outside my own limited spheres.

What inspires new

song ideas?

Song ideas can be triggered and come from anywhere at any time — a chance remark overheard in a bar, on TV, or a random line in a book or newspaper. A blur of thought racing past your mind or in a dream. An image gleaned somewhere. I keep a candy box filled with scraps of paper of recalled lines or thoughts.

I keep a tiny notebook on the bedstand and another one in my pocket. These things find you and you end up being simply a receptacle or receiver who at the end of the day becomes only a lucky stenographer taking down things that are already written in the air. I guess the natural goal of any writer or artist is to make the invisible become visible. I don’t know. Maybe it’s akin to the journalism process. Instead of reporting facts on outside events, it’s more like reporting on interior events.

What can we expect

to see from your

concert at the Elks?

I plan to perform new songs in preparation for recording the first album in over 20 years. Also, sing songs that have threaded and weaved through my 50-plus year writing and musical career. I look forward to seeing and am excited to meet some of the music folks in Prescott.

Beer, wine and other beverages are available for purchase at the performance. Parties of four or six will be given their own table (as available). Larger and smaller parties may be combined or divided to accommodate all guests. All seating will be assigned before entry. For special accommodations, email info@etpac.org.

For more information and to buy tickets, visit www.prescottelkstheatre.org, or call 928-756-2844.

Jesse Bertel is a reporter/videographer for the Prescott News Network. Follow him on Twitter @ JesseBertel, email him at jbertel@prescottaz.com, or call 928-445-3333, ext. 2043.