New collection to be donated to Woody Guthrie Center

TULSA, Okla., Sept. 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Woody Guthrie Center will soon house the Phil Ochs Archive consisting of Ochs' lyrics, posters, songbooks, photos, videos and more. The collection, donated by his daughter, will be unveiled at an event later this fall.

"The topical songs that Phil Ochs wrote are still relevant today, just as the music of Woody Guthrie continues to address the struggles that we face in our society," said Deana McCloud, Executive Director for the Woody Guthrie Center. "We are honored to be the caretakers of the work that these advocates for social justice left, and we look forward to expanding our collection in the future to include more work that is empowering, gives voice to the voiceless and makes positive changes in our society."

Ochs wrote hundreds of songs and released eight albums as a topical songwriter in the 1960s and 70s. Songs like "I Ain't Marching Anymore," "Changes," "Power and the Glory" and "The War Is Over" are among his most popular songs.

"I lost my father at an early age, and I think I clung to his possessions because of that," said Ochs' daughter and donor of the collection, Meegan Lee Ochs. "When approached by the Woody Guthrie Center about donating the collection, it suddenly seemed so important for his journals and innumerable notepads where he captured small details alongside moments of genius to be available to those who might want to see and learn from them. I hope somewhere, Woody and my dad are smiling."

Researchers will have access to tapes and videos of Ochs' TV appearances, scrapbooks, articles written by and about Ochs and countless photos. The collection will also include Ochs' gold lame suit, made by Elvis Presley's tailor and costumer Nudie Cohn. Ochs wore this suit on the cover of his albums Greatest Hits and Gunfight at Carnegie Hall, released in 1970.  The Woody Guthrie Center will integrate items from the collection into future exhibits.

"I am so thrilled that the Phil Ochs archives will sit alongside Woody's at the Woody Guthrie Center. Phil was one of Woody's closest proteges, a true 'son'. His music and life steadfastly responded to the toughest, and most controversial, issues of his generation," said Nora Guthrie, daughter of Woody Guthrie. "He was a uniquely fearless and outspoken artist, as was my father. Having their archives in one place is the absolute mother lode for scholars and historians covering the arts and the issues of the twentieth century."

The Woody Guthrie Center looks to add more collections in the future to house alongside Woody Guthrie's memorabilia. For more information about the collection or donating to the Woody Guthrie Center, please call (918) 574-2710.

About The Woody Guthrie Center

The Woody Guthrie Center, opened in 2013, features state of the art exhibits, an extensive outreach and education program, and a concert series to bring his legacy to Tulsans and those who make the pilgrimage to what is a destination for Woody Guthrie fans worldwide. The Center is more than a museum; instead, it is a center of investigation for inspiration. By providing examples of Woody's ability to use his creativity as a way of expressing the world around him, the staff of the Woody Guthrie Center hopes to encourage others to find their voices and the power that lies within the creative process. For more information, please visit www.woodyguthriecenter.org.

SOURCE Woody Guthrie Center