American patriotic music 1917, when he saw headlines announcing the U.S. had entered World War I. Cohan also is famous for penning "Yankee Doodle Dandy," an over-the-top parody of patriotic music. A 1918 Irving Berlin composition, "God Bless America", is sometimes considered an unofficial national anthem of the United States and is often performed at sporting events alongside (or, in some rare cases, such as Ronan Tynan, in place of) "The Star-Spangled Banner." In 1940, Woody Guthrie wrote "This Land Is Your Land" in response to his dislike of "God Bless America", calling it unrealistic and complacent. The World War II era produced
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