Woody Guthrie in Will Geer's apartment. Guthrie made his first recordings—several hours of conversation and songs recorded by the folklorist Alan Lomax for the Library of Congress—as well as an album, "Dust Bowl Ballads," for Victor Records in Camden, New Jersey. In February 1940 he wrote his most famous song, "This Land Is Your Land", as a response to what he felt was an overplaying of Irving Berlin's "God Bless America" on the radio. Guthrie thought the lyrics were unrealistic and complacent. He adapted the melody from an old gospel song, "Oh My Loving Brother", which had been adapted by the country
Woody Guthrie Folk Festival Stephan Edington returned for the third year and presented "Woody: Seeking the Spirit in His Final Years". David Amram reminisced about meeting Woody Guthrie in 1956 and told the story behind his "This Land: Symphonic Variations on a Song by Woody Guthrie" at the History Center Museum. Barry Ollman presented "Collecting Woody 2015". Pat Stewart, the harmonica man, gave harmonica lessons to children. Miss Mary Jo Guthrie Edgmon once again was present for her annual Pancake Breakfast which was hosted this year by Lauren Lee. Terry “Buffalo” Ware once again coordinated the Sunday Hootennany to close the festival. Tim Easton