Art,

Pete Seeger did plead the first ammendment, not the fifth. His whole point was that he had the right to free speech which gave him the right NOT to disuss his political views before the HUAC. That was a unique thing to do obviously because as you point out, most people would plead the fifth ammendment. This led to a contempt of Congress citation for which Seeger went to trail and was convicted for a yearlong jail sentence. The sentence was never served as the case was appealed, and 6 years later it was thrown out of the court.

I also have to disagree with Don's statment that the Weavers gave folk music "the strongest push" and Deckmen's statment that the Weaver's "started it all". Giving them credit for that "push" almost ignores all the individuals that led up to that "moment".   It is almost like giving the credit for winning a baseball game to the relief pitcher who comes in to strike out the last batter. While it is a pivitol moment and a turning point, we can't ignore all the other individuals and movements that led to the Weavers. Folk music had been building as a commercial entity since the early part of the 20th century.

The collectors who were working hard to preserve these songs and our heritage are largely forgotten, except for the high profile names like "Lomax". Carl Sandberg was probably the first "folksinger" who brought the music to his literary audiences. Folk Festivals began cropping up in the 1930's. Mostly local affairs, but they gave their audiences a chance to remember what made their community important.

Politics played a huge role from the late 30's and throughout the 40's.   While we often think of the left and their role in folk music, we should also take pause to remember the role the political right had in folk music. I was reading Ronald Cohen's brilliant book "Rainbow Race" and he discussed Bascom Lamar Lunsford who organized the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival. Very conservative as well as reportedly having some very "un PC" views.   John Lomax was also very conservative.   Their views was that the music served as a reflection on the values of the nation and were not used as political tools.

The roots of the Weaver's can be found in the Almanac Singers. The Almanac's were part of a 1940's folk scene that included numerous "hill billy" acts on radio, Josh White Jr. performing in nightclubs, Burl Ives on stage and screen, Marais and Miranda on radio, and so many others.   This helped build a climate that led to the success of the Weaver's.

I will not disagree with the importance of the Weaver's as part of the folk music chain. Their link strengthened that chain and lengthened it's links to present day.