Tribute to Woodie Guthrie
Charlie Mosbrook
On July 14th of 1912 Woody Guthrie Was born in Okemah, Oklahoma. As he grew up he found his home caught in the desperation of the dust bowl that swept the midwest. As many farmers took what they had and headed for California to search for work, so did Woody. What they found was hundreds of thousands of other migrants from across the country also searching for opportunity. Work was hard to find. Living conditions and pay were bad and children starved as the land owners took advantage of the hard luck so many faced. Woody Guthrie began writing songs that spoke of these struggles and gave strength to an emerging labor movement. Songs like "This Land is Your Land" and "Pastures of Plenty" stirred the consciousness of those unaware of the dust bowl worker and these became the standard for the American protest song. His auto biography "Bound For Glory" is considered one of the most important pieces of literature in american music. Many songwriters have been directly influenced by Woody's music and spirit, most notably Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Pete Seeger and Woody's son Arlo. Today new performers like Ani DiFranco and Wilco still maintain a close allegiance to Guthrie's influence.
2012 marks the centennial of Woody Guthrie's birth. Charlie Mosbrook has put together a program about the great songwriters life, music, and lasting influence. As a performer, he has been acknowledged for his performances of Guthrie's music in the book "Hard Traveling: The Life and Legacy of Woody Guthrie" Robert Santelli (Currator of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and The Guthrie Achieves). He has led workshops on the subject during major folk festivals, and performed many of these songs at the Rock Hall during their week long conference on the subject of Mr Guthrie.
Celebrate one of America's greatest musical, poetic and political influences through interactive story telling and songs.
This program is suitable for all ages
For an example of Charlie Mosbrook performing "Pastures of Plenty" please see below.
Type: Music
Ages: Children Teen Adult Family
