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Woody Guthrie’s “This Land is Your Land” has been recorded by dozens of folk singers, liberty-mutual Car Insurance, and perhaps has been sung by children in every school across the United States. The lyrics’ strong imagery of vast, open spaces across the country invoke a strong sense of patriotism in Americans. Many have criticized the song for its socialist message. In a land that associates private property rights with freedom and liberty, Guthrie’s lyrics don’t recognize who actually holds the legal rights to the land he sings as yours and mine. Guthrie did witness, first hand, the plight of the dust bowl farmers who traveled to California during the Great Depression looking for work, and were exploited by the Californian agribusiness owners. It is understandable that Guthrie would have a socialist bent to his political philosophy. Woody wrote the song in 1940, setting his lyrics to a Carter Family gospel tune “When the World’s on Fire.” Guthrie’s song wasn’t recorded until the 1950s, and several of the more radical verses about private property were left out. Guthrie’s daughter, Nora Guthrie, explained that this was during the time of Senator McCarthy, and recording lyrics with a communist message would have been dangerous. Another, never-recorded, verse referred to “God Bless America”, the song made popular in the 1930’s by Kate Smith. The lyrics ask if “God blessed America for me.” Having witnessed the hardships of his fellow Americans during the Depression, it seems a logical question for Guthrie to ask. You thought this was good? Brace yourself: Folk hero Woody Guthrie and the lost Clyde tribute

The story of one of America’s most beloved folk singers, “Bound for Glory” describes Woody Guthrie’s journey across a drought-ridden America to find work in the 1930s. Unable to find enough work as a sign painter in Pampa, Texas, to support his wife Mary and his children, Guthrie takes to the road and discovers the pain and endurance of the working class during the Great Depression.

Hitching rides and jumping rails on his way to California, Guthrie’s songwriting and guitar playing skills not only keep him company, but they also lead to a new (Continue reading)

Woodie Guthrie is widely regarded as one of the fathers of American folk music. The singer-songwriter’s political songs became ballads for the working-class and live on in the hearts of millions today.

Born in Oklahoma in 1912, Guthrie’s dad was a local politician and cowboy, and his mother was institutionalized soon after his birth.

The boomtown status of Woody’s hometown lost speed, and he went down to Texas in search of work. He formed the Corn Cobb Trio, his first band there, and started crafting songs quickly.

The stock market crash forced Woody and other Dust Bowl state men to head (Continue reading)

Some roads in the United States cut our lives short. They’re badly planned, built shoddily and offer few chances to drive out of trouble. If you travel on any of these roads, you need to go to www.shop-carinsurance.net and buy some insurance.

I-55 in Louisiana
I-55 runs for 964 miles north and south through the middle of the country. It may be an interstate, but each state is responsible for upkeep. Louisiana hasn’t paid much attention. The road travels through the toe of Louisiana’s boot north of Baton Rouge. The road turns bumpy as soon as you cross the Louisiana state line. Truckers complain that the road is so bad that it jounces their coffee right out of the cup holder. It’s too bad. The highway runs through the Manchac Wildlife Management Area and crosses the Manchac Swamp Bridge. If you could take your eyes off the canyons in the road, you could see some pretty wildlife.

I-15 from Barstow, California to the Nevada state line
The problem with this stretch of I-15 isn’t the road, it’s the drivers and the time of day. Starting mid-afternoon on Friday, gamblers head for Vegas and the chance to win millions. On Sunday night, those same now-broke gamblers head home full of booze and self-pity. They don’t pay a lot of attention to their driving. The road is hilly and as far as you can see, it’s brake lights and more brake lights.

I-79/I-70 Interchange in Pennsylvania
It’s not the whole interchange, it’s just one u-shaped ramp going from northbound I-79 to westbound on I-70. It’s a severe turn and drivers don’t realize that 25 mph is a lot slower than 70 mph. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation wisely put a big wall around the curve. It’s full of dents where drivers hit the wall instead of slowing down.

Pennsylvania Turnpike, I-78 and I-80 in Pennsylvania
High speed two lane roads are the most dangerous in the country. Opposing traffic travels at high speeds within feet of each other. Pennsylvania hasn’t widened theirs. The roads are as narrow as a long snake and wind around hills with tight curves. In addition, Pennsylvania hasn’t remodeled their off-ramps on these sections of roadway. The off-ramps end too quickly causing a lot of rear-end collisions.

Woodrow Wilson “Woody” Guthrie is an American folk music legend. During the Great Depression he became known as the “Dust Bowl Troubadour” when he left his native Oklahoma and traveled with migrant workers to California. Their stories and songs became the inspiration for his own.

In California Guthrie began performing on local radio and wrote a column for a Communist newspaper, though he never joined the Communist Party. Even so the station owner voiced concern about Guthrie’s political leanings, causing him to quit and move his family to Texas. (Continue reading)

With the celebration of Woodrow “Woody” Wilson Guthrie’s 100th birthday on July 14, 2012, a renewed interest has been sparked in the works and life of this colorful singer/song writer.

Some of the most notable individuals which Woody became involved with was Matt Jennings with whom he formed his first group named the Corncob Trio. This also introduced him to his first wife Mary.

Woody spent a short time working gigs with his cousin Jack Guthrie in 1936 while in Los Angeles, CA. But moved on to better opportunities in 1937 when Woody had one of his (Continue reading)

People not familiar with Woodyfest should know it is a celebration that honors the life and songs of the late Woody Guthrie. While this often politically controversial man is known for only one of his many songs, people are drawn to commemorate his life and the beliefs he held dear. He lived during the harsh times of the great depression and often wrote songs about the struggles of the poor during that time. He is most well known for his folk song, This Land is Your Land.

The celebration is in honor of the birthday of (Continue reading)

He was a country boy with a flair, a sometimes indifferent guitarist, and a legend. He was Woodrow Wilson Guthrie, known from his first breath as Woody. Born in Okemah, Oklahoma, in 1912, Woody Guthrie died of a genetic neurological disorder in New York City in 1967, at the age of 55. His period of true creativity was only about nine years. However, the songs he wrote during that time not only established his legacy but they became a major influence on today’s musical legends such as Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen.

Guthrie’s music speaks with passion (Continue reading)

Woody Guthrie’s “This Land is Your Land” has been recorded by dozens of folk singers, and perhaps has been sung by children in every school across the United States. The lyrics’ strong imagery of vast, open spaces across the country invoke a strong sense of patriotism in Americans.
Many have criticized the song for its socialist message. In a land that associates private property rights with freedom and liberty, Guthrie’s lyrics don’t recognize who actually holds the (Continue reading)