Woody Guthrie and the Folk Music Scene
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Woody Guthrie was one of the most influential figures in the American folk music scene. His songs and style have influenced countless artists over the years.
Woody Guthrie’s Life
Woody Guthrie was born in Okemah, Oklahoma in 1912. He was the second of five children born to Charles and Nora Guthrie. His father was a successful businessman and his mother was a schoolteacher. Woody Guthrie grew up in a happy and loving home. He was a bright and precocious child and loved music from an early age.
His childhood and family
Woodrow Wilson Guthrie was born in Okemah, Oklahoma, on July 14, 1912. He grew up in a family with a rich music tradition. His mother, Nora Belle Smith, played the piano and mandolin and his father, Charles Edward Guthrie, played the fiddle. Woody’s Aunt Telatha taught him to play the guitar when he was eight years old. His family were passionate about music and shared their love of folk songs from all over the world. Woody’s father passed away when Woody was only fourteen years old. This event had a profound effect on Woody and his music. His songs often reflect the struggles of common people and their fight for justice.
His influences
Woody was exposed to a wide variety of musical influences in his childhood. He was particularly influenced by the music of Lead Belly, who was also from Oklahoma. Woody learned many of Lead Belly’s songs and even met him on several occasions. He was also influenced by the music of other country and folk musicians like Jimmie Rodgers, Hank Williams, and Cisco Houston. In addition to country and folk music, Woody was also exposed to blues, jazz, and gospel music. All of these influences can be heard in Woody’s music.
His music
Woody Guthrie wrote some of the most memorable songs in American folklore, songs that are now standards, like “This Land is Your Land,” “So Long, It’s Been Good to Know You,” “Pastures of Plenty,” and “Pretty Boy Floyd.” He was a balladeer, a storyteller, and a voice for the poor and oppressed, with a particular affinity for migrant workers. He traveled across the country during the Depression and World War II, documenting his experiences in songs. Later in his career, he recorded with Lead Belly and Pete Seeger, and inspired a new generation of folk musicians, including Bob Dylan.
The Folk Music Scene
The folk music scene in America was a breeding ground for many different types of music. One of the most prominent figures in the scene was Woody Guthrie. Guthrie was a singer, songwriter, and musician who was born in Oklahoma. He was heavily influenced by the traditional music of the United States.
The beginning of the folk music scene
The folk music scene began in the 1920s with the rise of popular music. Folk music was originally songs that were passed down from generation to generation, often without being written down. As popular music became more widespread, folk songs began to be written down and recorded. Woody Guthrie was one of the first folk singers to gain popularity in the United States. He was known for his political songs and his work with migrant workers. Folk music became more popular in the United States in the 1940s and 1950s with the rise of artists such as Pete Seeger and Joan Baez.
The influence of Woody Guthrie
Woody Guthrie was one of the most important and influential folk musicians of the 20th century. He was a major force in the development of the American folk music tradition, and his songs have been interpreted and performed by many different artists.
Guthrie was born in Oklahoma in 1912, and he grew up in a family of farmers and laborers. He began playing music as a young child, and he eventually made his way to California, where he became involved in the burgeoning folk music scene.
Guthrie wrote hundreds of songs during his career, many of which are now considered classics. His most famous song is “This Land Is Your Land,” which has been recorded by numerous artists over the years.
Guthrie’s songs often dealt with social and political issues, and he was a strong supporter of the labor rights movement. He also wrote several children’s songs, including “Big Rock Candy Mountain” and “So Long, It’s Been Good to Know You.”
Guthrie passed away in 1967, but his legacy continues to live on through his music.
The golden age of folk music
The golden age of folk music was a period roughly corresponding to the 1950s in which the folk music movement gained great popularity in the United States and Canada, and also had strong influence on British pop music. The scene was centered on a group of artists who were inspired by traditional folk music and related forms such as blues, country, bluegrass, and gospel, as well as by political and social issues of the time such as labor rights and the American Civil Rights Movement. These artists recorded mostly for independent record labels and were supported by a network of clubs, venues, festivals, media outlets, and educational institutions centered around urban Folk Music scenes in New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Chicago, Detroit, Seattle, Portland (Oregon), Los Angeles, San Francisco, Toronto and Montreal. The influential New Lost City Ramblers were formed in 1958 by John Cohen (guitar/banjo/fiddle), Mike Seeger (guitar/banjo/mandolin/fiddle), and Tom Paley (guitar/fiddle).
