2020 has been a tough year. Not just the pandemic, but the ensuing economic downturn and level of unemployment that continues to rise. With the Labor Day holiday approaching, it seems to be the right time to dedicate two programs to the workers of America. This first installment is devoted to “The Working Life” with songs from Si Kahn, Peggy Seeger, Pete Sutherland, Kate Campbell, Merle Haggard and many more. Celebrating work … this week on The Sing Out! Radio Magazine.

Episode #20-35: Labor Day, Pt.1 (The Working Life)

Host: Tom Druckenmiller

Artist/”Song”/CD/Label

Pete Seeger / “If I Had A Hammer”(excerpt) / Songs of Hope and Struggle / Smithsonian Folkways

Erwin Helfer / “Stop Time Boogie” / 8 Hands On 88 Keys / The Sirens

Merle Haggard / “Workin' Man Blues” / Live at Billy Bob's Texas / Smith Music Group

James Carter & the Prisoners / “Po' Lazarus” / O Brother, Where Art Thou / Lost Highway

Peggy Seeger / “Gonna Be An Engineer” / Three Score and Ten / Appleseed

Eric Bogle / “Lockeeper” / At This Stage / Greentrax

Stan Rogers / “Make and Break Harbour” / Fogarty's Cove / Borealis

Detroit Junior / “Ella” / 8 Hands On 88 Keys / The Sirens

Si Kahn and the Looping Brothers / “Aragon Mill” / Aragon Mill / Strictly Country

Pete Sutherland / “When My Grandmother Worked At The Mill” / A Clayfoot's Tale / Epact

Richard Ruane & Beth Duquette / “Stuffing Clams in Exeter” / Notch Road / Riptone

Shelley Posen / “Night Nurse” / Ontario Moon / Well Done

Kate Campbell / “Rosa's Coronas-Lanterns in the Levee” / Two Nights in Texas / Large River

Joe Jencks / “Third Shift” / The Forgotten / Turtle Bear

Pete Seeger / “If I Had A Hammer”(excerpt) / Songs of Hope and Struggle / Smithsonian Folkways