Charlie is completely self-taught on guitar and various other folk instruments. He grew up in New York and at the age of 13 started his guitar “lessons” when he purchased a how-to book in a drugstore. After college, he was mentored by Pete Seeger, Lee Hays (“If I had a Hammer”) and Don McLean, who taught him that being a songwriter and musician was not only rewarding, but absolutely possible.
Called “a national possession like Yellowstone or Yosemite” Woody Guthrie was a songwriter, poet, visual artist, Veteran, author, adventurer, and raconteur. His songs, including “This Land is Your Land”, “Hard Traveling”, “Do Re Me” and “Roll on Columbia” completely captured in simple simple verse and melody not only his love of America, but also his deep and enduring compassion for it’s people. In turn, Americans and millions around the world have sung his songs, and increasingly want to know more about him.
Noted Woody Guthrie writer and performer Charlie Maguire brings a treasure-trove of Woody’s best loved, and least known songs prefaced with introductions to each selection in Woody’s own words! Performed on acoustic guitar, harmonica, jaw harp and spoons it’s like going to the theatre and hearing Woody Guthrie’s words and songs for real, as if he were passing through your town. It’s humorous, it’s casual, it’s informative, and always entertaining. Minneapolis Star Tribune critic Jon Bream says of Maguire’s program “Unless Bob Dylan were to crash the party, you could not find a more apropos Minnesota musician to celebrate Woody Guthrie.”
Charlie’s recent review of “Woody Guthrie: Songs & Art, Words & Wisdom” by Nora Guthrie and Robert Santelli was syndicated in over 70 newspapers nationwide. As a writer and performer in his own right, Charlie was mentored personally by folksingers Lee Hays and Pete Seeger who knew and traveled with Woody. Maguire has also shared the stage with original Woody Guthrie interpreter Ramblin’ Jack Elliot, of whom Woody once said; “He sounds more like me than I do.”
Minneapolis folk club impresario Mary Tjosvold sums it up with her review of Charlie’s program saying “The show is magnificent, touching, and so timely!”
Running time approximately 75 minutes, BUT we can customize this show just for you! We can also provide PDF’s of a “Woody Guthrie Reading & Listening List” of books and recordings by him compiled by Charlie Maguire, as well as “His Songs Are Our Songs”, and “Woody Guthrie’s American Chorus” authored by Charlie and originally published in the Minneapolis Star Tribune that can be duplicated on site and distributed to your patrons after the program.
