"I am out to sing songs that will prove to you that this is your world and that if it has hit you pretty hard and knocked you for a dozen loops, no matter what color, what size you are, how you are built, I am out to sing the songs that make you take pride in yourself and in your work. And the songs that I sing are made up for the most part by all sorts of folks just about like you." Woody Guthrie
July 14th, 2012 will mark 100 years since Woody Guthrie’s birth. He was a national and international treasure. As with many treasures and artists, he wasn’t necessarily recognized as he should have been during his life.
I, like many others, was influenced by Woody Guthrie the troubadour, the singer, the musician, the storyteller, the organizer. He changed some of who I am and how I see things and what I do. Woody Guthrie stood up for people and stood up for ideas. He told stories through songs. He educated and influenced people, regular people and many times, important people. He saw and lived experiences of poor people, people of color, migrant workers and people just trying to make it through life.
Many people don’t even know they’re listening to or singing Woody Guthrie songs. In some ways his songs were speaking to universal issues rather than political issues. While he lived, some would write him off as a populist, a leftist, a socialist or even a communist but Woody had an answer to that - “Right wing, left wing, chicken wing, it’s all the same to me.” He was a poet and someone who knew the power of words and music. He also knew how to make people feel good about themselves and other people. He didn’t put people down. He raised them up. He respected people for who they were. His folksy way got people’s attention. He was an early rapper and a white blues man. He raised talkin blues into a genre.
I’ve sung his songs, raised a beer and told some of his stories and turned a few of them into mine. I appreciate his quote that “if you know or play more than two chords, your showing off.” So this is a big thank you to Woody Guthrie. Thank you for helping us all figure out how to raise each other up. Thank you for giving a two chorder confidence. I hope lots of people find a way to celebrate Woody's Birthday with a song or two. Thanks Woody Guthrie!
July 14th, 2012 will mark 100 years since Woody Guthrie’s birth. He was a national and international treasure. As with many treasures and artists, he wasn’t necessarily recognized as he should have been during his life.
I, like many others, was influenced by Woody Guthrie the troubadour, the singer, the musician, the storyteller, the organizer. He changed some of who I am and how I see things and what I do. Woody Guthrie stood up for people and stood up for ideas. He told stories through songs. He educated and influenced people, regular people and many times, important people. He saw and lived experiences of poor people, people of color, migrant workers and people just trying to make it through life.
Many people don’t even know they’re listening to or singing Woody Guthrie songs. In some ways his songs were speaking to universal issues rather than political issues. While he lived, some would write him off as a populist, a leftist, a socialist or even a communist but Woody had an answer to that - “Right wing, left wing, chicken wing, it’s all the same to me.” He was a poet and someone who knew the power of words and music. He also knew how to make people feel good about themselves and other people. He didn’t put people down. He raised them up. He respected people for who they were. His folksy way got people’s attention. He was an early rapper and a white blues man. He raised talkin blues into a genre.
I’ve sung his songs, raised a beer and told some of his stories and turned a few of them into mine. I appreciate his quote that “if you know or play more than two chords, your showing off.” So this is a big thank you to Woody Guthrie. Thank you for helping us all figure out how to raise each other up. Thank you for giving a two chorder confidence. I hope lots of people find a way to celebrate Woody's Birthday with a song or two. Thanks Woody Guthrie!
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