Joe Pug is a singer-songwriter known for his lyrical acumen and plaintive harmonica style. Pug dropped out of college and moved to Chicago, working as a carpenter before he broke into the city’s music scene. Since 2008 he has released a string of critically acclaimed albums and toured heavily in the U.S. and abroad. Paste Magazine wrote of his music: “Unless your surname is Dylan, Waits, Ritter or Prine, you could face-palm yourself to death trying to pen songs half as inspired.”

Joe Pug & Robert Ellis

Dakota

Don’t miss two of Maryland’s master singer/songwriters live at The Barns! Cris Jacobs, “the king of Baltimore rock ’n’ roll” (Baltimore Magazine), unites with lyrical wordsmith Joe Pug. A dynamic guitarist with a soulful voice, Jacobs’ latest album, One of These Days, was produced by Jerry Douglas and features a stacked talent list such as The Infamous Stringdusters, Billy Strings, and Lee Ann Womack.

Pug, also host of The Working Songwriter podcast, has released a string of critically acclaimed albums—including 2025’s Live at the Old Town School of Folk Music—and toured extensively with Willie Watson, Steve Earle, and The Killers.

Joe Pug

Events

Upcoming events

Nov 5, 2026

Cris Jacobs with Joe Pug · Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts

Past events

Dec 6, 2024

Joe Pug & Robert Ellis · Dakota

About

Joe Pug hasn't added a bio