Artist Profile: The Almanac Singers

In 1940, American folk music changed forever when a handful of schooled musicians and political activists got together to perform at union halls and for political organizations. It started with Lee Hays, Pete Seeger, and Millard Lampell, who were later joined by a radio host, editorialist and prolific songwriter named Woody Guthrie.

Though their career lasted little more than one year, the Almanacs managed to feature a "who's who" rotating roster of members, including folklorist Alan Lomax and his sister Bess, Sis Cunningham, bluesmen Josh White and Leadbelly, and several others.

The Almanacs were the first well-organized group in American folk music (thanks in large part to Pete Seeger), and they popularized the plight of the topical protest song, which in turn spun off and later inspired groups like the Weavers, the Kingston Trio, and ultimately Bob Dylan and so many more.

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