From the Woody Guthrie Center website:
The Woody Guthrie Prize is given annually to an artist who best exemplifies Woody Guthrieâs spirit and work 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.
âWe hope that the Woody Guthrie Prize will shed an inspirational light on those who have decided to use their talents for the common good rather than for personal gain,â says Woody Guthrieâs daughter Nora. âWith his dry wit, Woody always preferred to call himself a âcommonist.â His quote from John Steinbeckâs character, Tom Joad, says it pretty simply: âWherever children are hungry and cry, wherever people ainât free, wherever men are fightinâ for their rights, thatâs where Iâm gonna be.â
âThere are so many people who are living this credo, and theyâre the ones we will be honoring.â
Bruce Springsteen will be recognized with the 2021 Woody Guthrie Prize for his work continuing Woodyâs legacy in a virtual members-only event. With over 20 studio albums, Springsteen has used his storytelling ability to write songs that connect with people who faced the hard times and celebrated the good times. Often backed by the E Street Band, Springsteenâs music provides a soundtrack of resilience, strength, heart, and joy despite or even in spite of the struggles thrown our way. Drawing from his experiences growing up in New Jersey, Springsteenâs songs have connected on a universal level with fans worldwide.Â
Here is Springsteen’s short concert:
