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Artists Inspired by Guthrie

Many artists such as Bruce Springsteen, Phil Ochs, and Tom Paxton say that Woody Guthrie inspired their work, but the following singers have a direct connection to Guthrie and/or have been inspired by Woody’s work for the Bonneville Power Administration in May, 1941.

 

Arlo Guthrie

Folk Music

One of Woody’s children and is a well known performer in his own right.  The Guthrie talent is present in Woody’s grand-children and great grand-children.

www.arlo.net

 

Bob Dylan

Folk, Folk Rock, & Rock Music

Read Woody’s auto-biography Bound for Glory, in 1960 and was smitten.  Dylan met Woody in 1963 while he was hospitalized in New Jersey for Huntington’s disease.  During their visit, Dylan played his, Song to Woody.  Some sources say Woody liked it, others say he didn’t.  In 1963 Dylan wrote Last Thoughts on Woody Guthrie in tribute. 

www.bobdylan.com

 

Cisco Houston

Folk Music

Well known folk singer who collaborated with Woody and was a fellow band member in the Almanac Singers.

www.ciscohouston.com

 

Country Joe McDonald

Folk & Country Rock Music

Recorded Thinking of Woody Guthrie in 1991and performed in the National Steinbeck Center’s “This Land is Your Land: The Life and Legacy of Woody Guthrie” in 2001.

www.countryjoe.com

 

Lead Belly

Delta Blues & Folk Music

Inspired Woody (and vice-versa) who write and sang song on similar topics and becoming friends.

www.leadbelly.org

 

Pete Seeger

Folk Music

Met Woody at Will Geer’s “Grapes of Wrath” concert held to benefit migrant workers.  They became friends and performed together in the Almanac Singers.  Seeger has recorded a number of songs that Woody wrote during May, 1941 and is a well known figure in Folk Music.

 

Ramblin’ Jack Elliott

Folk Music

Grammy Award winner who sang harmony with Woody.  Elliott met Woody in 1950, moved in with him for a while, and they traveled the continent together.

www.ramblinjack.com

 

Ramblin’ Ray Campi

Rockabilly Music

His tribute album, Ramblin’ Ray Campi Recalls the Music of Woody Guthrie, is sold through Guthrie’s official website, www.woodyguthrie.org.  All proceeds benefit the Woody Guthrie Foundation.

www.electricearl.com/campi

 

Ron Wheeler

Americana Music

Born on Woody’s birthday in 1951, he became a fan in 1972.  Hard Travelin’ is featured on Wheeler’s 2002 album entitled, Way Over Yonder.

www.linkedin.com/pub/ron-wheeler

 

Sonny Terry

Folk-Blues Music

Collaborated with Woody on Woody Guthrie with Cisco Houston, Lead Belly, Sonny Terry, and Bess Hawes-Sings Folk Songs in 1962.  The album features Hard Travelin’ and That Oregon Line.

www.folkways.si.edu