The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #96426   Message #1885975
Posted By: WFDU - Ron Olesko
14-Nov-06 - 08:10 PM
Thread Name: Woody Guthrie on BBC Radio 2
Subject: RE: Woody Guthrie on BBC Radio 2
Sorry to hijack this thread, but if you are interesting in hearing Woody on the radio, I have another program that might be of interest.

On Sunday November 26th at 3pm ET, I will be hosting a recreation of a 1956 musical revue called "Bound For Glory". This production featured a script featuring the words and music of Woody Guthrie, in a script compiled by Millard Lampell of the Almanac Singers. The original production featured artists like Pete Seeger, Ed McCurdy, Rev. Gary Davis, The Kossoy Sisters and other folk notables of the time with narration . At the end of the show, the spotlight shown on Woody who was released from the hospital for the performance. The event was later recognized as a milestone moment of the folk revival, and Joe Klein in his biography of Guthrie called it the start of the "canonization" of Woody.   In later years, the script was used for concerts at Carnegie Hall and the Hollywood Bowl.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the performance, I have assembled a cast of contemporary artists to recreate the original script. Tom Chapin, three-time Grammy Award Winner, former Broadway actor, and the brother of the late Harry Chapin, will narrate as the "voice" of Woody. Robert Cohen of the Philadelphia Folksong Society will provide opening narration. The musicians will include
Danny Bakan
The Dirty Stayout Skifflers with Rick Nestler
Greg Greenway
Joe Jencks
Hope Machine
Karen Mal
David Massengill
Rik Palieri
Laurie MacAllister & Abbie Gardner of Red Molly
Danny Schmidt
Toby Walker
Amy Carol Webb
Bethany Yarrow (daughter of Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul & Mary) & Rufus Cappadocia

We recorded this production in front of a live audience at NERFA. Pictures and more details can be found at my website -
www.ronolesko.blogspot.com

WFDU can be heard at 89.1FM in the NYC/NJ area. From anywhere else in the world, you can listen in through our website - www.wfdu.fm

I may be accused of self-promotion and hyperbole, but this may have been the most exciting show that I ever had the honor of producing. The audience loved the performance and there were many tears, laughs and a great standing ovation for the performers.   I think you will enjoy hearing it on radio (or live on the Internet!)