When Oscar Brand was in his eighties, he used to come to the Washington DC area regularly to visit his daughter Jeanne and his grandchildren. FSGW snagged him for several concerts during these visits. He always had interesting songs, great talk, and a bubbling personality.

I remember the first time I heard him--it was on Robert Sherman's "Woody's Children" program on WQXR (which ironically has merged with WNYC to become New York City's only remaining classical music station).

I remember also his long and close friendship with the late Jean Ritchie. Although most of us associate Jean with Kentucky and Appalachia, Jean and her husband George Pickow lived for many years in Port Washington, NY, not far from Oscar Brand's homes in Manhasset or Great Neck. Jean's son Jon Pickow was Oscar's producer/archivist for many years.

--Charlie Baum