This Sunday, April 12, WFDU-FM’s TRADITIONS (3 to 6pm ET on 89.1FM – www.wfdu.fm for streaming audio) will feature two special segments in celebration of Woody Guthrie.

Folk radio icon and Philadelphia Folk Festival emcee Gene Shay will offer a report on the 2008 “Woody Fest” – the annual Woody Guthrie Festival held in Okemah, Oklahoma – the birthplace of the folk music legend. Gene will present performances from Judy Collins, John Gorka, Jimmy LaFave and others, all recorded at last years event. (You will love John Gorka’s “true” story about hopping freight trains with Woody & Cisco Houston!) Gene will also interview Woody’s sister Mary Jo Guthrie Edgmon. This amazing festival will celebrate it’s 12th annual gathering from July 12 – 19th. For more information, please visit their website at www.woodyguthrie.com .

In addition, we will hear a rare Public Service radio play that Woody recorded for the U.S. Department of Health in the late 1940’s. In a 15 minute play called “The Lonesome Traveler“, Woody portrayed “Rusty” – a wandering musician who helped tell others of the dangers of Syphillis and how they can get help. The play was produced by Alan Lomax and was aimed at educating rural audiences about getting medical treatment. Woody re-works some of his classic songs to illustrate the horrors of VD!

I started working at WFDU back in 1975 doing newscasts and alternative rock shows. Folk music was not heard on the air at that time, and the management that was in place at the time did not have any interest in starting folk shows. I did a special one hour interview with the late Marjorie Guthrie that aired on WFDU on Easter Sunday in 1977. The show was well received and it inspired me to pursue creating more folk music themed programs. In 1980 we began a format called Music America on WFDU, and I started the series “Traditions” which continues to be heard on Sunday afternoons from 3 to 6pm, now co-hosted by Bill Hahn.

So, Woody Guthrie & Easter Sunday holds a special meaning for me. I hope you will be able to join us for this special day.

We will also share some exciting new recordings as well as some favorite traditional recordings! Please join us!

www.wfdu.fm