Almanac Singers

Almanac Singers were a American folk music group formed in New York City in 1940 by Pete Seeger, Lee Hays, and Millard Lampell. The group was known for their protest songs and traditional American folk sound, which was influenced by Woody Guthrie, Lead Belly, and Josh White. They were also associated with the American Communist Party and the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO), and their music often reflected their left-wing views, similar to those of Paul Robeson and Langston Hughes. The group's music was also influenced by the Great Depression and the New Deal policies of Franklin D. Roosevelt.

● History

The Almanac Singers were formed in 1940 by Pete Seeger, Lee Hays, and Millard Lampell, with the goal of creating music that would inspire social change and promote labor and civil rights, similar to the goals of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the American Federation of Labor (AFL). The group was named after the Farmer's Almanac, a publication that was popular among rural Americans, and was also influenced by the Wobblies and the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW). They were joined by other musicians, including Woody Guthrie, Josh White, and Burl Ives, and performed at labor union rallies, protest marches, and other events, such as the 1936 Democratic National Convention and the 1940 Republican National Convention. The group's music was also influenced by the Spanish Civil War and the Abraham Lincoln Brigade.

● Members

The Almanac Singers had a number of members throughout their existence, including Pete Seeger, Lee Hays, Millard Lampell, Woody Guthrie, Josh White, and Burl Ives. Other members included Sis Cunningham, Gordon Friesen, and Butch Hawes, who were all associated with the American folk music revival of the 1950s and 1960s, and were influenced by Alan Lomax and the Library of Congress. The group's members were also influenced by the Harlem Renaissance and the Federal Theatre Project, and were associated with other musicians, such as Lead Belly, Sonny Terry, and Brownie McGhee. The group's membership was also influenced by the Communist Party USA and the Socialist Party of America.

● Music Style

The Almanac Singers' music style was characterized by their use of traditional American folk instruments, such as the banjo, guitar, and harmonica, and their harmonious vocal arrangements, which were influenced by the Barber Shop Quartet and the Gospel music of Mahalia Jackson and Thomas A. Dorsey. Their music often featured protest songs and topical songs that addressed social issues, such as labor and civil rights, and was influenced by the Blues music of Robert Johnson and Bessie Smith. The group's music was also influenced by the Appalachian folk music of Jean Ritchie and the Cajun music of Clifton Chenier. The group's music style was also shaped by their association with the American Communist Party and the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO), and was influenced by the Soviet Union and the Communist International.

● Discography

The Almanac Singers released several albums during their existence, including Songs for John Doe and Talking Union, which featured songs such as Which Side Are You On? and Union Maid, and were influenced by the labor movement and the American labor movement. The group's music was also released on 78 rpm records and was featured in films and radio broadcasts, such as the CBS Radio Network and the NBC Radio Network. The group's discography was also influenced by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP). The group's music was also featured in the Smithsonian Folkways Recordings and the Library of Congress.

● Legacy

The Almanac Singers' legacy is significant, as they helped to popularize American folk music and inspire a new generation of musicians, including Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and Peter, Paul and Mary, who were all influenced by the American folk music revival of the 1950s and 1960s. The group's music also influenced the Civil Rights Movement and the anti-war movement of the 1960s, and was associated with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). The group's legacy is also celebrated by the Pete Seeger and the Woody Guthrie foundations, which were established to promote their music and legacy, and are associated with the Grammy Awards and the National Medal of Arts. The group's music is also featured in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the American Folklore Society. Category:American folk music groups