Singer, Songwriter. He was a folk singer and songwriter whose career spanned seventy years. He graduated from Brooklyn College, New York City, New York with a degree in psychology and served in the Army in the psychology section during World War II. Interested in music from a young age, he moved to Greenwich Village and became part of the burgeoning folk music scene after the war. In 1945 he started hosting the radio program "Folksong Festival" on New York Public Radio, which aired for over 70 years. The show featured every star of the folk music scene including Joan Baez, Woody Guthrie, Joni Mitchell, Pete Seeger, and Peter, Paul, and Mary. The show was certified by Guinness Book of World Records as the longest running radio show. As a performer he released nearly 100 albums with a style that was noted for enthusiasm and authenticity. He recorded hundreds of original songs as well as traditional folk songs. He had a particular affinity for comedic songs, from the bawdy to the nonsensical. He also recorded albums for children and collections of patriotic and songs of historical significance, like “Presidential Campaign Songs: 1789-1996". As a songwriter he had success when Doris Day’s version of his song “A Guy Is a Guy” reached the top of the Billboard chart in 1952. He was also an author of books about folk music. In 1995 he won a Peabody Award for his work bringing folk music to fans around the world. He helped co-found the Newport Folk Festival in 1959, and served as a board member of the Children’s Television Workshop during the 1960s, participating in the development of the popular children's show “Sesame Street".
Singer, Songwriter. He was a folk singer and songwriter whose career spanned seventy years. He graduated from Brooklyn College, New York City, New York with a degree in psychology and served in the Army in the psychology section during World War II. Interested in music from a young age, he moved to Greenwich Village and became part of the burgeoning folk music scene after the war. In 1945 he started hosting the radio program "Folksong Festival" on New York Public Radio, which aired for over 70 years. The show featured every star of the folk music scene including Joan Baez, Woody Guthrie, Joni Mitchell, Pete Seeger, and Peter, Paul, and Mary. The show was certified by Guinness Book of World Records as the longest running radio show. As a performer he released nearly 100 albums with a style that was noted for enthusiasm and authenticity. He recorded hundreds of original songs as well as traditional folk songs. He had a particular affinity for comedic songs, from the bawdy to the nonsensical. He also recorded albums for children and collections of patriotic and songs of historical significance, like “Presidential Campaign Songs: 1789-1996". As a songwriter he had success when Doris Day’s version of his song “A Guy Is a Guy” reached the top of the Billboard chart in 1952. He was also an author of books about folk music. In 1995 he won a Peabody Award for his work bringing folk music to fans around the world. He helped co-found the Newport Folk Festival in 1959, and served as a board member of the Children’s Television Workshop during the 1960s, participating in the development of the popular children's show “Sesame Street".
Bio by: Mr. Badger Hawkeye
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