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A good way to understand Tom Paxton's legacy is to consider his song "The Last Thing on My Mind." Originally recorded for his 1964 studio debut "Ramblin' Boy," the tune has been covered by more than 50 artists including Judy Collins, Willie Nelson and Harry Belafonte. Perhaps Dolly Parton and Porter Wagner released the most famous version in 1967. It was one of Parton's first top 10 hits.

Paxton himself has never achieved success on the Billboard charts, and he doesn't boast the name recognition of fellow folk legends like Woody Guthrie or Pete Seeger. That's why the 71-year-old was so surprised when the Recording Academy honored him with a Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award in February.

"It's certainly unexpected," he says. "It's fantastic. I've never had a hit record or anything. I was amazed they chose me for the award. I'm astonished, but I'm going to accept it."

To mark the occasion, the Takoma Park-based Institute of Musical Traditions (IMT) is presenting a concert in Paxton's honor on Sunday at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre in Rockville. IMT founder David Eisner has known Paxton for 25 years.

"To say I was thrilled would be an understatement," Eisner says of the award. "There's a problem with people getting famous after they die. It's nice for him to get this recognition now."

Paxton, who now lives in Alexandria, will be joined on stage by Grammy winners Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer. The duo has produced a pair of Paxton's recent albums, including the Grammy-nominated "Tom Paxton Live in The UK."

"I think Tom has felt very comfortable performing and touring in the folk world at the same as enjoying successes that are little more quiet than Bob Dylan's," Fink says. "I think Tom's career path has been extremely solid and steady, but also very centered. He is who he is."

Although he may not be recognizable to everyone in the States, Paxton is well-known in Britain. A YouTube search retrieves several clips from the BBC, and his UK tours are among his most successful. Eisner attributes this phenomenon to an established appreciation of the music. Woody Guthrie's portraits of American life may be the basis of modern folk, but "Greensleeves" was composed in the 16th century.

"I think that the English have a long tradition of ballad singers, much longer than America," he explains. "I guess you could say he's straddling both sides of the pond."

It has been nearly five decades since Paxton strummed his guitar around New York City. Along with other Greenwich Village troubadours like Dylan, Joni Mitchell and close friend Dave Van Ronk, he was part of what many call "The Great Folk Scare." Numerous television appearances and a series of notable albums he recorded in the 1960s and '70s helped earn his reputation as a leader in the folk community. And he still loves the genre. In May, Paxton played in Seeger's 90th birthday concert at Madison Square Garden.

"For the finale, we were singing "This Land is your Land," and I was sharing a microphone with Kris Kristofferson and John Mellencamp," he recalls. "How bad can that be? It was a real kick."

While Paxton may have peaked commercially in the '60s, he doesn't live in the past. In addition to his tales of love and anti-war ballads, he is known for his "short shelf-life" songs. Through the years, these ditties have addressed Spiro Agnew, Nancy Reagan and the 2000 presidential election. Last year, he lampooned the federal bailout trend with "I'm Changing My Name to Fannie Mae."

"I always enjoy Tom's political satire," Fink says. "I guarantee he's got something new ready for this show that's going to make fun of something extremely current."

Whether he has his eye on Wall Street remains unclear. Paxton isn't about to spill the beans.

"I'd be giving away my secrets if I told you that," he says. "Especially since half the time I try something and it doesn't work out. I'm not going to give the game away."

Paxton's recordings are still earning praise. His latest album, "Comedians and Angels," garnered a Grammy nomination and a Wammie (Washington Area Music Association) award. Although not currently in the studio, the gears are still turning.

"I'm not writing particularly well at the moment, but you know, I go through spells," he says "It doesn't worry me. I'll just keep writing and eventually some stuff will come out that will be all right."

Catch Tom Paxton with opening act Loralyn Coles at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, 603 Edmonston Drive, Rockville. Tickets are $25, $20 in advance. Call 301-754-3611 or visit imtfolk.org.