Woody Guthrie at 100! Live at the Kennedy Center is a unique tribute concert to one of America's most iconic folk musicians. The concert is a celebration of Woody Guthrie's legacy on the occasion of his 100th birthday, and it features some of the biggest names in contemporary rock and folk music. The concert took place at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., and was filmed live for a worldwide audience. The performers included John Mellencamp, Jackson Browne, Rosanne Cash, Tom Morello, and many others, all of whom were inspired by Guthrie's music and lyrics.
The first half of the concert features John Mellencamp, who serves as the host for the evening. Mellencamp opens the show with a rousing rendition of "This Land Is Your Land," Guthrie's best-known song. Mellencamp then introduces several other artists who perform their own interpretations of Guthrie's classic tunes.
Jackson Browne is one of the highlights of the concert, performing a deeply moving version of "Deportee (Plane Wreck at Los Gatos)," Guthrie's powerful protest song about the mistreatment of migrant workers. Rosanne Cash also delivers a heartfelt performance of "Pretty Boy Floyd," Guthrie's infamous ballad about an outlaw.
In addition to the musical performances, the concert also features interviews with Guthrie's family members, friends, and collaborators. They share their memories of Guthrie's life and work, and offer insights into the man behind the music.
The second half of the concert is dedicated to Guthrie's influence on contemporary music. Many of the featured artists perform their own compositions that were inspired by Guthrie's songwriting style and social activism.
Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine unleashes a fierce rendition of "Ease My Revolutionary Mind," a song he wrote in homage to Guthrie's radical politics. Ani DiFranco delivers a soulful version of "Which Side Are You On?" a song that was written during the labor movement of the 1930s and has become an anthem for social justice.
The concert culminates with all of the performers gathering on stage to perform a rendition of "This Train Is Bound for Glory," another of Guthrie's classic tunes. The audience is on its feet and singing along, united in their joy and appreciation for Guthrie's timeless music.
Woody Guthrie at 100! Live at the Kennedy Center is a must-see for any fan of folk music or American history. The concert is a powerful tribute to a man who used his music to give voice to the voiceless, and whose influence on contemporary music is still felt today.
Woody Guthrie at 100! Live at the Kennedy Center is a 2013 musical with a runtime of 1 hour and 32 minutes.
