The Chad Mitchell Trio

The Chad Mitchell Trio

Company type	Vocal ensemble
Industry	Music
Founded	1958
Founder	William Chadbourne "Chad" Mitchell, Mike Kobluk, Mike Pugh
Headquarters	Spokane, Washington , United States
Area served	United States
Products	Folk music recordings and performances

The Chad Mitchell Trio, which later became known simply as The Mitchell Trio, was a notable American vocal ensemble during the 1960s. Their repertoire included traditional folk tunes along with early works by John Denver. They earned acclaim for their satirical compositions that tackled issues such as Cold War tensions, civil rights activism, and the Vietnam conflict.

Chad Mitchell Trio, 1958-1965

Established in 1958 by William Chadbourne "Chad" Mitchell from Portland, Oregon, Mike Kobluk of Trail, British Columbia, and Mike Pugh from Pasco, Washington, the group originated while the members were attending Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. Their move to engage with New York’s folk music scene in 1959 was encouraged by Spokane clergyman Reinard W. Beaver.

The trio’s sound was refined under the guidance of arranger Milton Okun and performer Harry Belafonte, who helped them secure performances at New York’s Blue Angel club, radio appearances on Arthur Godfrey’s show, and television spots alongside Pat Boone. Belafonte also featured them at his May 1960 concert at Carnegie Hall and took them under his management.

In 1960, Mike Pugh departed to continue his college education and was succeeded by Joe Frazier from Lebanon, Pennsylvania. Initially concentrating on traditional folk music, the group gained prominence with a daring satirical piece targeting the John Birch Society, marking their transition toward more politically charged material. After ending their association with Belafonte Enterprises in 1962 and signing with Mercury Records in 1963, they enjoyed increased artistic liberty to blend political commentary with folk, romantic themes, and international influences. Their appearances included major American television programs such as The Bell Telephone Hour and Hootenanny.

Personnel changes and renaming, 1965-1969

In 1965, Chad Mitchell departed to embark on a solo career. He was replaced by the then-emerging singer-songwriter John Denver, who contributed original material while the ensemble continued using the "Mitchell Trio" name.

Following Joe Frazier's exit in 1966, David Boise joined the group. After releasing one final live album, Mike Kobluk left as well; Denver and Boise then invited Michael Johnson, later recognized for solo successes including "Bluer Than Blue". Due to contractual clauses preventing the use of "Mitchell" after all original members had left, the trio adopted the name "Denver, Boise and Johnson." This formation dissolved in 1969.

Later careers and reunions

Mike Kobluk, Joe Frazier, and David Boise eventually left the music business; Chad Mitchell produced several solo records before retiring; John Denver utilized his tenure with the trio as a springboard for a highly successful solo career. Michael Johnson recorded more than fifteen solo albums before passing away in 2017. Joe Frazier became an Episcopal priest.

In 1987, the original Mitchell/Kobluk/Frazier lineup reunited with John Denver for several concerts—some of which were broadcast on PBS—constituting their sole collaborative recordings.

The trio of Mitchell, Kobluk, and Frazier reunited once more in 2005 during a Minneapolis concert featuring Tom Paxton and The Kingston Trio. They also performed a one-night reunion show in Spokane in 2007, their university city, and continued touring alongside artists like Paxton. Among their notable performances was an appearance for President Obama at Representative Dave Obey’s 40th anniversary celebration. Their 2009 engagements were part of a 50th Anniversary tour that concluded with a benefit event held in Big Bear Lake, California.

Joe Frazier died in 2014 at age 77.

On November 15, 2014, Chad Mitchell, Mike Kobluk, and bassist Ron Greenstein presented their farewell concert at Bethesda Blues & Jazz in Bethesda, Maryland.

Featured personnel

Over the years, the trio collaborated with several additional musicians, including:

• Jim McGuinn (who later became Roger McGuinn of The Byrds): Guitar and banjo
• Paul Prestopino: Guitar, 12-string guitar, banjo, and mandolin
• Bob Hefferan: Guitar
• Pete Soloway: Acoustic bass
• Dennis Collins: Guitar
• Vic Messer: Guitar
• Bill Lee: Bass
• Fred Hellerman: Guitar
• Erik Darling: Banjo
• Jacob Ander: Guitar
• Bruce Langhorne: Guitar
• Norman Keenan: Bass
• Clyde Lombardi: Bass
• John Frigo: Bass
• Jim Atlas: Bass
• Ron Greenstein: Bass and vocals

Songs

The Trio’s earliest recordings with Colpix consisted primarily of traditional folk tunes that served as alternatives to the burgeoning rock-and-roll scene. Their debut release on Kapp Records set them apart with tracks such as "Mighty Day," which recounted the 1900 Galveston hurricane, "Rum By Gum," a commentary on the Temperance and Prohibition era, and "Lizzie Borden," a satirical piece about the notorious accused axe murderer.

Later albums under Kapp Records featured politically motivated songs like "The John Birch Society" and "The Ides of Texas," which criticized financier Billie Sol Estes. Their live recording At The Bitter End included a rendition of "Moscow Nights" sung in Russian, a noteworthy choice during the Cold War period.

Continuing their socially conscious approach, Mercury releases contained topical material such as "Twelve Days," a Christmas carol reinterpreted from the viewpoint of a former Nazi; "Barry's Boys," a critique of supporters of 1964 Republican candidate Barry Goldwater; "A Dying Business," which condemned funeral industry practices; and Phil Ochs’ "The Draft Dodger Rag," highlighting early opposition to the Vietnam War. Additional songs addressed themes like celebrity culture in "What Kind of Life Is That" and racial segregation through "Alma Mater" followed by "Your Friendly, Liberal, Neighborhood Ku-Klux-Klan."

While recognized for their politically charged repertoire, the Mitchell Trio also delivered refined yet authentic folk music. Their collection included sea shanties such as "Whup Jamboree" and "The Golden Vanity," lively dance numbers like "Hello Susan Brown," and southern prison work songs exemplified by “Ain’t No More Cane On This Brazos,” which combined several traditional variants. Gospel selections included "You Can Tell The World," "I Feel So Good About It (Sin Bound Train)," and "One Day When I Was Lost (Easter Morn)."

They were trailblazers in recording numerous Tom Paxton compositions, including "The Marvelous Toy," "What Did You Learn In School Today?," and "We Didn't Know." Their repertoire also featured covers of Woody Guthrie’s "The Great Historical Bum (Bragging Song)," Shel Silverstein’s pieces such as "The Hip Song (It Does Not Pay To Be Hip)," "Yowzah," and "Three Legged Man," as well as Bob Dylan’s works. Notably, they issued the earliest version of Dylan’s "Blowin' in the Wind" prior to the well-known rendition by Peter, Paul and Mary. Other Dylan songs performed included "With God On Our Side" and "Mr. Tambourine Man."

Additionally, the Trio was the first to record John Denver’s future hit "For Baby (For Bobbi)" and performed his "Leaving on a Jet Plane." Their final album featured a harmonized cover of The Beatles’ "She Loves You," while Kobluk’s solo interpretation of Ewan MacColl’s "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" anticipated Roberta Flack’s later major success by several years.

Impact and heritage

Johnny Cash acknowledged their rendition of "Four Strong Winds" as a key artistic inspiration, including it on his Artist's Choice compilation. The 2003 mockumentary A Mighty Wind showcased The Folksmen, portrayed as a politically more progressive counterpart to the Chad Mitchell Trio.

Albums

Chad Mitchell, Mike Kobluk, Mike Pugh:

• The Chad Mitchell Trio (Colpix, 1959; re-released in 1964 under the title The Chad Mitchell Trio Arrives!)
• In Concert - Everybody's Listening (Colpix, 1964; Side One contains pre-1960 recordings, Side Two features "The Gatemen")

Chad Mitchell, Mike Kobluk, Joe Frazier:

• Mighty Day on Campus (Kapp, 1961) reached No. 39
• At the Bitter End (Kapp, 1962) peaked at No. 81
• In Action (Kapp, 1962; later reissued as Blowin' in the Wind) attained No. 87
• The Best Of (Kapp, 1963) climbed to No. 63
• Singin' Our Mind (Mercury, 1963) reached No. 39
• Reflecting (Mercury, 1964) achieved No. 29
• Slightly Irreverent (Mercury, 1964) hit No. 128
• Typical American Boys (Mercury, 1965) reached No. 130
• The George Bush Society (No Label, 2008)

Mike Kobluk, Joe Frazier, John Denver:

• That's the Way It's Gonna Be (Mercury, August 1965)
• Violets of Dawn (Mercury, December 1965)
• Beginnings (Mercury, 1974), subtitled John Denver with the Mitchell Trio

Mike Kobluk, John Denver, David Boise:

• Alive! (Reprise, 1967; marked the conclusion of their original recording career)

Chad Mitchell solo

• Chad Mitchell/Himself (Warner Bros, 1966)
• Love, A Feeling Of (Warner Bros, 1967)
• Chad (Bell, 1969)
• Virgo Moon (Silver City, 1991)

Reunion albums:

• Mighty Day; The Chad Mitchell Trio Reunion (Folk Era, 1994)
• The Chad Mitchell Reunion... Part 2 (Folk Era, 1997)

Singles

Year	Single (A-side, B-side) Both sides from same album except where noted	Chart positions		Album
		US	US AC
1959	"Sally Ann" b/w "Vaya Con Dios" (non-album track)			The Chad Mitchell Trio Arrives!
	"Up on the Mountain" b/w "Walkin' on Green Grass"
1960	"I Do Adore Her" b/w "Gallows Tree"
	"Pretty Saro" b/w "The Ballad of Herbie Spear" (non-album track)
	"Paddy West" b/w "The Devil Road" (non-album track)
1961	"Six Men" B-side by Eugene LaMarr: "I'm Goin' Home"			Non-album tracks
	"Mighty Day" b/w "The Whistling Gypsy"			Mighty Day on Campus
	"Lizzie Borden" b/w "Super Skier"	44
1962	"The John Birch Society" b/w "Golden Vanity"	99		The Chad Mitchell Trio at the Bitter End
	"Hello Susan Brown" b/w "You Can Tell the World"
1963	"Blowing in the Wind" b/w "Adios Mi Corazon"			In Action
	"Green Grow the Lilacs" b/w "Leave Me If You Want To"
	"The Marvelous Toy" b/w "The Bonny Streets of Fyve-lo"	43	20	Singin' Our Mind
1964	"Tell Old Bill" b/w "The Tarriers Song"			Reflecting
	"What Did You Learn in School Today" b/w "Barry's Boys"
1964	“I Can't Help But Wonder” b/w “Stewball and Griselda”			‘’The Slightly Irreverent Mitchell Trio’’
1965	“[You Were on My Mind]” b/w “My Name Is Morgan”			‘’Typical American Boys’’
“Violets of Dawn” b/w “That's the Way It's Gonna Be”			‘’Violets of Dawn’’
1966	“Your Friendly, Liberal, Neighborhood Ku-Klux-Klan” b/w “Violets of Dawn”
“Stay with Me” b/w “Dark Shadows and Empty Hallways”			Non-album tracks
1967	“[Leaving on a Jet Plane]” b/w “Baby, That's Where It Is”			‘’Alive’’
“She Loves You” b/w “Like to Deal with the Ladies”
1968	“Take Me to Tomorrow” b/w “The '68 Nixon”			Non-album tracks credited to Denver, Boise and Johnson

DVD releases:

• Mighty Day: The Chad Mitchell Trio Reunion (1987)
• The Chad Mitchell Trio - Then & Now (three-disc DVD collection)

Sources

• The Mitchell Trio Song Book (edited and written by Robert Shelton; music edited by Walter Rain; published by Quadrangle Books, Chicago, 1964)

External links

• Official Website of the Chad Mitchell Trio