Driving from Tulsa down Interstate 44, turning south through Bristow, and straight down 48, the rolling landscape of the Oklahoma prairies start to take shape. Littered with the occasional elm and oak tree lines to break the notorious winds that brought the dust storms of the 1930’s, past the exit for the unincorporated town of Gypsy, past the Volkswagen Beetle graveyard, and five miles from the small town of Castle is the birthplace of one of the most influential songwriters in our nation’s history. Every year, around the anniversary of his birth, July 14^th, Okemah, Oklahoma sets the stage for a three day hootenanny where people come from across the country, and from across the world in celebration of Woody Guthrie, the folkie that would not only inspire his genre, but inspire genres that didn’t even exist yet.

The Woody Guthrie Folk Festival, set in Okfuskee County, takes place at several venues on the main strip of the town of Okema. With temperatures a searing 95 degrees, the heavy heat is actually a cool down from Woody festivals of the past. Although two of the daytime venues are air conditioned the third is an outdoor stage, part of Lou’s Rocky Road Tavern. They supply a steady stream of American Brand beer and an occasional reprieve from the heat at the only bar friendly to smokers. A newly dilapidated building half crumbled across the street reminds visitors that the large influx of people is only a periodic occurrence. While, a few doors down sit vendors for the farmer’s market underneath the shade’s little comfort from July’s wrath. Open mic at the Tavern encourages the locals to join in the celebration and forget the “traffic” brought into their small town, on what would otherwise be a routine Saturday.

The last full day of the festival brings a lineup keeping pace with the previous two days, and making it hard to choose venues and therefore artists. So starting out the day, I make my way to the song swap with Jaimee Harris, Jared Tyler, and Travis Linville performing at The Hen House. The Hen House, a wooden framed cabin with red tin roof on the outside and a barn dance feel on the inside, feels as though you are stepping back in time when 45s and radio were mainstays. On the wooden stage with red barn doors that resemble the Opry; are hanging lights, hanging wagon wheels, and hanging stringed instruments on the walls. Jaimee Harris in her heart shaped rose colored glasses belts out a gut punching story. The song is told from the point of view of the subject’s mother, called “Fall (Devon’s Song)”. It’s a true story about a boy she knew in school who was shot and the graduation that didn’t happen. In true Nashville songwriter’s circle fashion, to the stage left of Jaimee, Travis Linville continues the journey of storytelling preceded by the dancing dynamic of a song that only an experienced songwriter knows how to weave. Jared Tyler then performed “Old Man Trump” from a couple of poems from Woody’s archives. Referring to Fred Trump, ironically just a little more than four hours later former President Trump, son of Fred, would be grazed by a bullet on his right ear.

Staying in the cool air conditioning of The Hen House, I stay to listen to Carter Sampson with her detailed, chilling, time traveling description of living in a “Black Blizzard”, the name of the corresponding song. I then catch some of Dan Bern’s show, as I walk at a nurse’s pace to The Crystal Theatre. Luckily, I’m in time to hear his thought-provoking, conversational talk with God song called, “God Said No”. Dan has a knack for taking hard subjects and serving them up with a sprinkle of comical genius that you don’t even realize he’s taken you to the deep end of the pool.

Back at The Hen House, Cassie Latshaw belts a tear jerking rendition of Emmylou Harris’s “Red Dirt Girl”, interchanging Oklahoma for Alabama in the song. Singing about her love for Tulsa, she is the recent new owner of The Colony, historically known for its famous frequent patrons of the past like Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt, and Leon Russell.

Soon to hit the stage afterwards is Jacob Tovar’s classic country vocals and “George Straight-like” demeanor singing, “Three good reasons to leave Tulsa. July, August, and You.” The Western Swing number was backed up by his band including John Fullbright on keys.

As the sun began to set the festival moved to the Pastures of Plenty stage, with the folk inspired sounds of the band Beat Root Revival. Followed up was the old-time jug band Sad Daddy. They are specialists of mixing American roots music together and through well crafted songs and a little bit of kazoo creating their own toe-tapping sound. The grand finally was one of Jason Isabell’s favorite songwriters, James McMurtry whose sound could be described as back road anthem Americana meets Lucinda Williams.

If you go to Pastures of Plenty be sure to bring a chair or a blanket. And when you go to Woodyfest next year, just make sure to wear your best walking shoes and stay hydrated so you’re sure to have good ole’ time.