Loudon Wainwright III

Loudon Wainwright III, the contentious patriarch of the Wainwright-McGarrigle folk dynasty, is best known for not holding back — even if that means exposing very personal relationships, familial dynamics, and experiences. If you need the CliffsNotes on the 72-year-old artist’s career and backstory, listen to “Meet The Wainwrights,” during which he calls out his famous baroque-folk children by name — that’s Martha, Rufus, and Lucy — and lists the many discretions that have been aired out for decades across stages and records. Made famous by his 1972 novelty hit, “Dead Skunk (in the Middle of the Road),” LW3 is also known for his frequent cameos in Judd Apatow films, including a role as a quirky single dad on Apatow’s short-lived cult TV comedy, Undeclared.