Woodrow Wilson Guthrie was born in a small town in Oklohoma in 1912. The original singer songwriter, ramblin' man and roustabout, he has been an influence on everyone who has picked up a guitar and tried to write a tune, everyone from Bob Dylan to Bruce Springsteen acknowledge him as a spiritual Godfather. His father, a local land speculator and small time politician, taught Woody many things, including all kinds of songs; Scottish tunes, Indian war songs, and the like. Of course the blues and african american songs and gospel music had a powerful impact on his singing, guitar and lifestyle. During his early years he experience several profound events which would greatly effect him for the rest of his life. The death of his older sister, the ruin of his families finances, the loss of his mother all devastated him. In 1920 when oil was discovered in home state he took to the road, traveling across the country in every mode of transport imaginable. In 1931 he found himself in Pampa, Texas and meet a woman, Mary Jennings with who he had three children. He began to take his music seriously and formed several small groups with local musicians. He also discovered his love of art, and would paint and draw for the rest of his life. The onset of the Great Depression ( the old one, not THIS one we are in now, lol. ) PLUS the great dust storms and drought the ravaged the mid west made earning a living impossible, Woody took to the road once more.
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