# Woody Guthrie

> American singer-songwriter (1912–1967)

**Wikidata**: [Q4061](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4061)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woody_Guthrie)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/woody-guthrie

## Summary
Woody Guthrie was an American singer-songwriter (1912–1967) who became a defining figure of American folk music, country music, and the folk revival. Known for his powerful lyrics and activism, he documented the struggles of the Great Depression and Dust Bowl through songs like "This Land Is Your Land," which became an anthem of American identity. His work influenced generations of musicians and remains a cornerstone of American cultural heritage.

## Biography
- Born: July 14, 1912, in Okemah, Oklahoma, United States
- Nationality: American
- Education: Attended Oklahoma A&M College (now Oklahoma State University) but dropped out
- Known for: Pioneering folk music, activism, and songwriting that captured the struggles of the American working class
- Employer(s): Folkways Records, Industrial Workers of the World (IWW)
- Field(s): Music, activism, songwriting

## Contributions
Woody Guthrie's contributions to music and activism are profound and enduring:
- **Songwriting**: Wrote over 1,000 songs, including "This Land Is Your Land," "So Long, It's Been Good to Know Yuh," and "Tom Dooley," which became anthems of American culture.
- **Documentary Music**: His recordings, such as *Dust Bowl Ballads* (1940), captured the hardships of the Great Depression and Dust Bowl, providing a historical record of the era.
- **Folk Music Revival**: His work helped popularize folk music in the 1950s and 1960s, influencing artists like Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and Pete Seeger.
- **Activism**: Advocated for labor rights and social justice, performing for striking workers and supporting the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW).
- **Legacy**: His songs continue to be performed and recorded by artists worldwide, ensuring his lasting influence on music and culture.

## FAQs
**What genres of music did Woody Guthrie perform?**
Woody Guthrie performed in American folk music, country music, and folk-pop, blending traditional folk with modern themes.

**What are some of Woody Guthrie's most famous songs?**
Some of his most famous songs include "This Land Is Your Land," "So Long, It's Been Good to Know Yuh," and "Tom Dooley," which have become cultural touchstones.

**What was Woody Guthrie's role in the folk music revival?**
Woody Guthrie's work helped popularize folk music in the 1950s and 1960s, influencing artists like Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and Pete Seeger.

**What record labels did Woody Guthrie work with?**
Woody Guthrie worked with Folkways Records and was affiliated with the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW).

**What was Woody Guthrie's activism like?**
Woody Guthrie advocated for labor rights and social justice, performing for striking workers and supporting the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW).

## Why They Matter
Woody Guthrie matters because he transformed American folk music into a powerful vehicle for social commentary and cultural expression. His songs documented the struggles of the Great Depression and Dust Bowl, providing a historical record of the era. His work helped popularize folk music in the 1950s and 1960s, influencing generations of musicians. His activism and performances for striking workers made him a symbol of labor rights and social justice. Without Woody Guthrie, American folk music would lack its most iconic voices, and the cultural memory of the Great Depression would be less vivid.

## Notable For
- **Iconic Songs**: Wrote "This Land Is Your Land," "So Long, It's Been Good to Know Yuh," and "Tom Dooley," which became anthems of American culture.
- **Folk Music Revival**: Pioneered the folk music revival in the 1950s and 1960s, influencing artists like Bob Dylan and Joan Baez.
- **Documentary Music**: His recordings, such as *Dust Bowl Ballads* (1940), captured the hardships of the Great Depression and Dust Bowl.
- **Activism**: Advocated for labor rights and social justice, performing for striking workers and supporting the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW).
- **Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award**: Received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1962.
- **Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame**: Inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame.
- **Rock and Roll Hall of Fame**: Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.

## Body
### Early Life and Background
Woody Guthrie was born Woodrow Wilson Guthrie on July 14, 1912, in Okemah, Oklahoma. He attended Oklahoma A&M College (now Oklahoma State University) but dropped out to pursue music. His early influences included traditional folk music and the struggles of the Great Depression.

### Musical Career and Genres
Woody Guthrie's musical career began in the 1930s, when he documented the hardships of the Dust Bowl through songs like "Dust Bowl Ballads." His work spanned American folk music, country music, and folk-pop, blending traditional folk with modern themes. He was a member of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) and performed for striking workers, advocating for labor rights and social justice.

### Notable Works and Recordings
Woody Guthrie wrote over 1,000 songs, including "This Land Is Your Land," "So Long, It's Been Good to Know Yuh," and "Tom Dooley," which became anthems of American culture. His recordings, such as *Dust Bowl Ballads* (1940), captured the hardships of the Great Depression and Dust Bowl, providing a historical record of the era. He worked with Folkways Records and was affiliated with the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW).

### Affiliations and Collaborations
Woody Guthrie collaborated with and influenced numerous other artists. His work helped popularize folk music in the 1950s and 1960s, influencing artists like Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and Pete Seeger. He was a member of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) and performed for striking workers, advocating for labor rights and social justice.

### Awards and Honors
Woody Guthrie's contributions were recognized with numerous prestigious awards. He received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1962. He was inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.

### Legacy and Influence
Woody Guthrie's influence on American folk music and culture is profound. His songs continue to be performed and recorded by artists worldwide, ensuring his lasting influence on music and culture. His activism and performances for striking workers made him a symbol of labor rights and social justice. Without Woody Guthrie, American folk music would lack its most iconic voices, and the cultural memory of the Great Depression would be less vivid.

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. Integrated Authority File
3. LIBRIS. 2012
4. [Source](https://www.biography.com/people/woody-guthrie-9323949)
5. Musicalics
6. Find a Grave
7. [Source](https://americanamusic.org/awards)
8. [Source](https://omhof.com/inductees/)
9. International Standard Name Identifier
10. Virtual International Authority File
11. CiNii Research
12. IMDb
13. MusicBrainz
14. SNAC
15. International Music Score Library Project
16. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
17. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana
18. GeneaStar
19. Roglo
20. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
21. CONOR.SI
22. BBC Things
23. The Guardian
24. Israeli Music Collection
25. Cinemathèque québécoise Linked Open Data