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Woody Guthrie's 100th Birthday Bash with Clinton Johnson, Eno Mountain Boys, Rich James, Betsy Shane, Dave Rogers 

One century ago on this day, and half a country westward, Woodrow Wilson Guthrie was born. As the idealist, artist and advocate Woody Guthrie, he amassed a profound body of work in less than three decades by writing about what he witnessed and wished for—the casualties of the business world, the cruelness of other folks, the tiny bits of humor that made it all worthwhile. Aside from penning America's alternative national anthem and contributing several staples to our collective songbook, Guthrie created a cascade of musical influence that stretched from Dylan and his protest peers to, these days, songwriters stuck grappling with oil spills and economic blunder. Recent tributes to Guthrie include a brilliant Smithsonian box set, panels and performances at The Grammy Museum and innumerable centennial concerts, like this Durham effort: More than a half-dozen performers—from metal dude Rich James (Hog/Horseback) to indie-rock bandleader Reid Johnson (Schooner)—share Woody's songs, putting a sharp point on the broad statement that Guthrie's legacy is wide, indeed. —Grayson Currin