WOODY GUTHRIE PRIZE

Exhibit Info

On View - Feb 22, 2014 - Feb 22, 2014

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WOODY GUTHRIE CENTER AND THE GRAMMY MUSEUM HONOR THE LATE PETE SEEGER WITH THE FIRST-EVER WOODY GUTHRIE PRIZE

Location: Peter Norton Symphony Space in New York, NY

The Tulsa-based Woody Guthrie Center and the L.A.-based GRAMMY Museum celebrated the late American folk singer Pete Seeger with the first ever Woody Guthrie Prize on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014 at the Peter Norton Symphony Space in New York City. The event and award presentation served as a celebration of Seeger’s musical legacy, as well as his connection to Guthrie and his work. Seeger was scheduled to accept the award and perform at the event before his passing on Jan. 27.

“The only thing I know for certain is that Pete would want us to gather together and make some music,” said Nora Guthrie, daughter of Woody Guthrie. “The power of song, as he constantly reminded us, can take us through everything that life, and death, throws at us. On Feb. 22nd, we won’t take a moment of silence to remember him. We will take all the moments to sing – as loudly and with as many harmonies as we can muster. If Pete heard we were going to honor him by not singing, he would be furious! If you love Pete, how can you keep from singing!”

The Woody Guthrie Prize is given annually to the artist who best exemplifies the spirit and life’s work of Woody Guthrie by speaking for the less fortunate through music, film, literature, dance or other art forms and serving as a positive force for social change in America.

Proceeds from the event will supported the Woody Guthrie Center, a 12,000-square-foot center that features state-of-the-art, interactive exhibits on Guthrie’s life, art and creative legacy. The center is home to Guthrie’s comprehensive archives, including the original, handwritten version of Guthrie’s landmark anthem, “This Land is Your Land,” which is available for viewing at the center.

“Pete was so happy to be included in this fundraiser for the newly created Woody Guthrie Center in Tulsa, Okla,” Nora Guthrie said. “As the first recipient of the Prize, there can be no better person to set the standard than Pete. He was always available for a worthy cause. As his wife of 70 years Toshi joked, ‘I would have left him years ago, if only it was for another woman. Unfortunately, he was always away for another ‘cause!’ It’s up to us now, to step in and make sure all the ‘causes’ that Pete believed in get our support.”

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