An iconic performer in his own right, Country Joe McDonald's roots go back to same Oklahoma hills that the legendary Woody Guthrie called home. He has explored these connections to create a tribute concert that has earned commendations from coast to coast. McDonald's first tribute to Woody an album titled "Thinking of Woody Guthrie" was praised by Marjorie Guthrie (Woody's wife) as "one of the finest ever made". Proceeds from this performance benefit The New England Folk Music Archives.

The Story in Country Joe McDonald's Own Words
In 2001 I was asked by the National Steinbeck Center to give a performance as part of its display of the Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibition "This Land Is Your Land: The Life and Legacy of Woody Guthrie." This served as a reason for me to revisit my connection with Woody Guthrie and the state of Oklahoma. My father Worden "Mac" McDonald grew up in the little Oklahoma town of Sallisaw, 100 miles from the Woody’s birthplace of Okemah. My father was a farm boy and hobo like Woody. He talked about this in his autobiography An Old Guy Who Feels Good.

I grew up with Woody Guthrie music in my household and made what Marjorie Guthrie (Woody’s wife) said was "one of the finest Woody Guthrie albums ever made." That album was recorded in Nashville and titled Thinking Of Woody Guthrie.

At the West Coast Hollywood Bowl California Tribute to Woody Guthrie concert in 1975 I was asked by Harold Leventhal who managed the Woody Guthrie archives to put music to one of the many Woody Guthrie lyrics that had no recorded music. This was the first time it was ever done. I performed "Woman At Home" thus opening the door to his erotic writings and his vast library of lyrics. That performance was released on the album documenting the event.

In the 80s I produced an album of Woody’s son Joady Guthrie singing his own original songs. This was released on my own label Rag Baby and was titled Spies On Wall Street. Preparing for the Steinbeck Center event I discovered in my archives much Woody stuff I had not thought of in years. Including his correspondence with Berkeley singer/songwriter Malvina Reynolds concerning the value of cookies. This came from the little folk magazine from the 60s titled Little Sandy Review. His musings on bootleg alcohol and the New York subway from his newspaper column in the 50’s titled "Woody Sez." My father’s thoughts on the state of Oklahoma from his autobiography. Even a little song written by Joady Guthrie from his album. The result was a spoken word and sung one-man performance piece saluting Woody Guthrie’s life. I even found a picture of his on a pinto horse looking almost exactly like a photo in my father’s book of me on a pinto horse. Also several photos of Woody with his 9-17 Martin guitar which has been for many years the exact same model I have used to perform and compose on.

Over the years now I have performed my tribute about a dozen times in England and in the United States. Each time I find something new about Woody and about myself. I am hoping that perhaps someday it could become an actual theatrical performance with lights and slides and perhaps other musicians. Fifteen years later my one man show continues to get my attention and is still a "work in progress." I hope that the audience finds it as enjoyable as I do.

For past show reviews and more, click here: http://www.countryjoe.com/guthrie.htm

Presented in Collaboration with The New England Folk Music Archives  http://www.newenglandfolkmusic.org/