Starting in September, the Masters of American Music Series moves to a new time slot: 6–8pm on the fourth Wednesday of each month here at Visible Voice Books. The earlier time makes it easier to join us after work and still get home at a reasonable hour, with the full kitchen and café open throughout the evening.
Kicking off the new schedule on Wednesday, September 23, Roots of American Music Educational Program Director Charlie Mosbrook, winner of the 2019 Woody Guthrie Folk Festival Songwriting Contest, explores the life, legacy, and music of Woody Guthrie.
Woody Guthrie’s songs grew out of the lives of ordinary people. Their struggles, their hopes, their work, and their dreams for a better world. From This Land Is Your Land to the countless songs and stories he left behind, Guthrie helped shape the tradition of American folk music and inspired generations of songwriters who followed.
Charlie Mosbrook has been exploring and performing Woody’s music for decades. He first performed Guthrie’s music at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in 1996, in a Hard Travelin’ program that also included Roots of American Music Founder, Kevin Richards, and Roots board member, Jason White. Thirty years later, Charlie was invited back to support the Woody at Home program with Anna Canoni, granddaughter of Woody Guthrie and president of Woody Guthrie Publications.
Charlie has led workshops throughout the U.S. on the history, legacy, and music of Woody Guthrie, bringing the stories behind the songs to audiences of all ages.
In July of this year, Charlie released an album of Woody Guthrie songs, There Is a Better World Coming, which has received steady airplay on folk radio programs throughout the United States and Canada.
In addition to his role with Roots of American Music, Charlie Mosbrook is the current Vice President of Folk Alliance International and president of Northeast Ohio’s Folknet, and a recipient of the prestigious Folk Alliance Region Midwest Lantern Bearer Award.
Come join us for an evening of songs, stories, and the remarkable life of Woody Guthrie—and discover why his music still speaks to us today.
This event is open to the public. Tickets are available for pre-sale and at the door.