Throughout the month of June, PBS stations around the country will be airing Woody Guthrie at 100! Live at the Kennedy Center. The concert was the culmination of the Woody Guthrie Foundation’s year-long centennial celebration that traveled from “California to … Continue reading →
Mr Elvis Costello This week’s post, indeed the 200th of this blog, comes mainly from Mr Elvis Costello and a song from his album Spike in 1989. The song, which will be revealed in a second, seeks to address a wrong, … Continue reading →
We’re sad to pass along the news that Old-time revival singer, fiddler, banjo and autoharp player Gail Heil passed away on the morning of Thursday, May 30th, succumbing to colon cancer. Her husband, and longtime musical partner Bob Bovee, as … Continue reading →
Unidentified girl in mourning dress holding framed photograph of her father as a cavalryman with sword and Hardee hat – tintype, ca. 1870, Library of Congress IntroductionEvery spring I teach a unit on the American Civil War, after which my colleagues and … Continue reading →
Brown Bird looked to their fans when they were hit with unforeseen medical expenses. Brown Bird is a young Rhode Island based acoustic band that draws from many styles, including blues, outlaw country, roots-rock, Eastern European and early American. The … Continue reading →
IntroductionAfter stepping into the 1970s with Helen Reddy’s “Angie Baby,” let’s stay there a while longer. We’re away from traditional territory for the moment, but we’ll get back soon enough. Alison did an excellent job in capturing the freaky mystery inside … Continue reading →
Some great folk music and arts festivals happening this weekend, be sure to check out what’s going on in your local community! If you have any info about local events or some pictures you’d like to share, [email-obfuscate email=”festivals@singout.org” link_title=”send … Continue reading →
Introduction You live your life in the songs you hear On the rock and roll radio — Alan O’Day (“Angie Baby”) It’s hard to imagine that the 1974 pop hit “Angie Baby” tops anyone’s list of “best murder ballads”, if … Continue reading →
John Lennon IntroductionIf you had asked me two days ago where I was when I learned that John Lennon was shot, I would have said, “watching Monday Night Football, like everybody else.” Now that I’ve gone back and reviewed TV … Continue reading →
Fred Hampton (1948-1969) I have to start with a disclaimer. The songwriter of today’s song is my fellow blogger, Pat Blackman, who has been my good friend for over twenty years. So, there’s not much critical distance here from the … Continue reading →
