I remember Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger receiving the same comments prior to their performances at various venues. Some of those folks who didn't like 'em got even more ugly than today.

It's my sincere belief that of all the singer/songwriters out there,
Steve Earle is the closest in spirit to the late Woody Guthrie.
When I hear his songs, I think of Woody and his hard-hitting, straightforward, no-bullshit, perceptive way of turning a phrase.

Dylan has renounced his earlier song attempts at emulating Woody. I always thought there was something odd and ambiguous about "Blowin' in the Wind'.

With Woody and Steve, no ambiguity there. They tell it like it is in basic poetic ways that anyone can understand. This is one element of a great songwriter.

Frank Hamilton