Woody Guthrie, born Woodrow Wilson Guthrie on July 14, 1912, in Okemah, Oklahoma, was an American singer-songwriter and one of the most significant figures in American folk music. His music, characterized by its plainspoken lyrics and progressive political stance, chronicled the plight of the American working class during the tumultuous years of the Great Depression, Dust Bowl, and World War II.

Guthrie's most iconic song, "This Land Is Your Land," has become a folk anthem that encapsulates the egalitarian ideals of the United States. Drawing inspiration from the struggles and stories of everyday people, Guthrie's extensive musical repertoire includes ballads, children's songs, and politically charged works. Throughout his career, Guthrie recorded hundreds of songs, notably captured in the Asch Recordings, named after Moses Asch, the founder of Folkways Records who documented Guthrie's prolific output in the 1940s. Guthrie's music has had an enduring influence on generations of musicians and activists, making Woody At 100: The Woody Guthrie Centennial Collection a fitting tribute to an artist who would have been a hundred years old in 2012. His legacy is one of protest and humanity, echoing his famous motto, "This machine kills fascists," which he emblazoned on his guitar as a declaration of music's power to enact change. Woody Guthrie passed away on October 3, 1967, but his songs continue to resonate, serving as a timeless voice for social justice.

Genres

American Folk Revival

Folk

Protest Folk

Singer-songwriter

Traditional Blues

Traditional Folk

Related Artists

Pete Seeger

Arlo Guthrie

Phil Ochs

Ramblin' Jack Elliott

Lead Belly

Utah Phillips

The Carter Family

Dave Van Ronk

Cisco Houston

Mississippi John Hurt

The Almanac Singers

Odetta

Latest Release

Woody at 100: The Woody Guthrie Centennial Collection

Woody Guthrie

Album - 65 Tracks - Released July 10, 2012