I knew it'd be bogus as all hell to change my name for the sake of image. But to get closer to the artistic examples set by Woody, I simply placed several pieces of coal in my boots so I might experience the pain he had in his life. I hoped that angst would lead to writing a few songs that were something like his. -- Alas, I found little of worth in any of the 3 songs I wrote during my life.

When Carol and I first met back in 1966, I, at first, told her my name was Art Guthrie. She being a generation younger than me, I made no points with her at all by telling her that! --- She'd never heard of Woody Guthrie. When I tried to tell her my name was Art Thieme, she didn't believe me!
No matter, we were married in January of '67. We still are married even though I am now a Jewish Atheist Folksinger -- and she turned into a Jehovah's Witness along the way. Go figure...

But for that one day I was a "Jewish folksinger --- who changed his name to Guthrie." That must be why this thread feels so comfortable to me tonight.

What a tangled web we weave.

Many friends tell me that, even though I'm an atheist, because my mother was Jewish, I am also Jewish too. So be it. What the hell. Still, I always tell them that, my father loved to drink booze, but that doesn't make me licorice,, does it?!

ART THIEME