First Name in American Folk Music Crossword

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The Life and Times of Woody Guthrie

Woodrow Wilson “Woody” Guthrie was an American singer-songwriter and musician who is considered one of the most influential folk musicians of the 20th century. Guthrie was born in 1912 in Okemah, Oklahoma, and began playing music and writing songs in the early 1930s. He became well-known for his work with the Bonneville Power Administration and the Dust Bowl refugees in the late 1930s. Guthrie’s songs often communicated his political views, and he is best remembered for his song “This Land Is Your Land.”

Woody Guthrie’s early life and family

Woodrow Wilson “Woody” Guthrie was born in Okemah, Oklahoma, the second of five children. His father, Charles Edward Guthrie, was a cowboy and land speculator, and his mother, Nora Belle Sherman, was a music teacher. Woody’s parents were both of English descent; his great-grandfather had immigrated to Pennsylvania from England in 1825. Woody Guthrie’s upbringing was shaped by two major influences: the American frontier and the American labor movement.

Woody’s family lived in Oklahoma during the early years of the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression. Like many Americans during this time, they were forced to move frequently in search of work. During one particular period of economic hardship, young Woody even lived in a boxcar. Despite these difficult circumstances, Woody’s childhood was relatively happy and he later recalled it fondly in his autobiography, Bound for Glory.

In addition to the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression, Woody Guthrie was also influenced by the American labor movement. His father belonged to the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), also known as the Wobblies, a radical labor organization that advocated for improved working conditions and wages for workers across America. The Wobblies were particularly active in Woody’s home state of Oklahoma. Through his father, Woody became familiar with socialist ideas at an early age. He later wrote that he “grew up hating capitalism and loving Socialism.”

Woody Guthrie’s music and influence

Woody Guthrie is one of the most influential American folk musicians of the 20th century. His songs have been covered by some of the most famous names in music, including Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, and Willie Nelson.

Guthrie was born in Oklahoma in 1912 and was exposed to music from an early age. His father was a fiddle player and his mother played the piano. Guthrie learned to play the guitar and mandolin, and began writing his own songs in his teens.

He left home in 1931 and hitchhiked across the country, eventually ending up in California. It was there that he met Will Geer, an actor who would later become famous for his role as Grandpa on The Waltons. Geer introduced Guthrie to the world of political activism, and Guthrie’s songs began to reflect his social and political beliefs.

Guthrie moved to New York City in 1940, where he became involved with the American Communist Party. He continued to write and perform his songs, which were often critical of government policies. In 1947, he recorded one of his most famous songs, “This Land Is Your Land.”

Guthrie’s health began to decline in the 1950s, and he was diagnosed with Huntington’s disease in 1952. He continued to write and perform as much as possible, but by the early 1960s he was no longer able to play or sing. He died in 1967 at the age of 55.

The American Folk Music Scene

The American folk music scene has been around for centuries and has produced some of the most influential musicians in the country. One of the first names in American folk music is Woody Guthrie. Woody was born in Oklahoma in 1912 and was a key figure in the American folk music revival of the 1940s and 50s.

The origins of American folk music

The origins of American folk music can be traced back to the 18th century, when immigrants from England, Ireland and Scotland brought over their traditional songs and instruments. In the 19th century, these songs and instruments were further adapted by African Americans, who infused them with elements of blues and gospel music. By the early 20th century, American folk music had become a distinct genre, with artists like Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger helping to popularize it.

In the 1950s and 1960s, the American folk music scene experienced a revival, with artists like Bob Dylan and Joan Baez finding success on the pop charts. The genre has continued to evolve in recent decades, with younger musicians often incorporating elements of rock, hip hop and other genres into their music.

The influence of Woody Guthrie on American folk music

Woody Guthrie had a profound influence on American folk music, helping to shape the genre with his poetic and social commentary-laden songs. Guthrie was born in Oklahoma in 1912 to parents who were staunch socialists. His father was a member of the Industrial Workers of the World, and Guthrie grew up hearing stories about workers’ rights and social justice. These themes would become recurrent in his songs. In the 1930s, Guthrie hitchhiked across the country, riding freight trains and working odd jobs. He began writing and singing songs about his experiences on the road and about the plight of the working class. Guthrie’s songwriting was deeply influenced by traditional folk music, but he also incorporated elements of blues, country, and gospel into his work. His songs often featured simple melodies that were easy for people to sing along to, and his lyrics spoke directly to the everyday struggles of ordinary Americans. Woody Guthrie is often considered one of the most important figures in American folk music, and his songs continue to be performed by artists across genres today.

The American Folk Music Revival

The American Folk Music Revival was a period in the 1950s and 1960s when interest in the traditional music of the United States began to grow. This growth was driven in part by a new found interest in the music of other cultures, and in part by a desire to return to the roots of American music. The Revival brought about a renewed appreciation for the music of America’s past, and led to the creation of new folk music.

The folk music revival of the 1950s and 1960s

The folk music revival of the 1950s and 1960s was a U.S. phenomenon in which musicians brought traditional folk music back into the mainstream, helped by the commercial success of artists such as Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, and Bob Dylan.

The influence of the folk music revival on American culture

The American Folk Music Revival was a phenomenon in the United States in the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s. The revival brought traditional folk music and artists to prominence. The revival had an important impact on American culture, influencing everything from popular music to fashion.

Folk music was an important part of the cultural scene in the early 20th century. Folk songs were sung at political rallies and in union halls, and they were published in newspapers and magazines. But by the 1930s, folk music was no longer as popular as it once was.

That changed in the 1940s when a new generation of folk musicians began to perform and record traditional songs. These musicians, including Woody Guthrie, Lead Belly, and Pete Seeger, were part of the communist-affiliated Almanac Singers. They performed songs that offered a voice for the poor and working class during the Great Depression and World War II.

As the Cold War began, many Americans became suspicious of anything associated with communism. This made it difficult for the Almanac Singers and other folk musicians to find work. But in 1949,Seeger and others formed the Weavers, a more mainstream folk group that found success with a wider audience.

The Weavers’ success inspired other folk groups like the Kingston Trio and Peter, Paul & Mary. These groups helped make folk music popular again in the 1950s and ’60s. Their popularity coincided with social movements like the Civil Rights movement and the anti-war movement. Folk music became an anthem for these movements, with songs like “We Shall Overcome” becoming rallying cries for change.

Folk music also had an impact on popular music. Many pop and rock musicians were influenced by folk music, including Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Simon & Garfunkel, Crosby, Stills & Nash, and The Byrds. Folk-inspired pop songs like “Blowin’ in the Wind” and “The Times They Are A-Changin'” became hits on both pop and country radio stations.

The impact of the folk music revival can also be seen in fashion. For example, Ivy League clothing companies like J Press began selling “preppy” clothes inspired by traditional Ivy League style in the 1950s. In the 1960s, designer Ralph Lauren created a line of clothing inspired by cowboy culture after attending a rodeo in Colorado. And Levi’s jeans became popular among young people after they were seen in movies like The Wild One (1953)and Easy Rider (1969), which featured actors wearing them while riding motorcycles..