Program

...Whose Names Are Unknown is a live multi-media performance that introduces audiences to songs and images of the Great Depression and the New Deal era of the 1930’s. The historical content ranges from the devastation of failed laissez faire economic policies in the Depression, to the restoration of faith and confidence through the progressive policies of FDRs New Deal. This project is performed with vibrant authenticity by either a solo presenter or The 198 String Band and illustrated with a slide show of iconic and lesser known photographs from the period. It serves as an educational vehicle, to recreate the events experienced by Americans during the social and economic displacement of the Great Depression.

The songs represented in this program reflect a tendency for people to call upon their musical roots to speak the unspeakable. That is, deep and mutual feelings of fear, loss, and uncertainty were expressed as an effort to deal with the realities of extremely difficult lives. At the same time, these songs often express intuitive and humorous political and social commentary, a playful camaraderie, and an unbreakable resolve. This music helped people weather the economic crises and maintain a bond of decency in a particularly American way. It is, ultimately, a history that transcends particular decades and timelines; it is a history of survival.

Many of the songs are not the “standards” by which we know the 1930’s. Most were found through research at the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian, and through old and out-of-print recordings from the period. The photographs come from the FSA, including those of Dorothea Lange, Arthur Rothstein, Walker Evans and other notable documentary photographers.

…Whose Names Are Unknown can be presented in either an auditorium or classroom setting as a one-hour concert, or for a longer program, in two 45-minute sets with a 20-minute intermission. The music is accompanied by contextual and interpretive narrative prepared by Joan Crouse, Ph.D., Professor of History at Hilbert College.

New York State and the Great Depression

This presentation highlights urban songs and photographs from the 1930’s. They cover political (“We’ve Got Franklin D. Roosevelt Back Again”), personal (“How Can A Poor Man Stand Such Times and Live?”), humorous (“Breadline Blues”, “Old Age Pension Check”), and spiritual (“No Depression In Heaven”). Also special attention is given to songs about New Deal Programs (“C.C.C. Blues,” “Casey Bills WPA,” and “Don’t Take Away My PWA”).

All the songs are introduced by the performers and their origin explained. We will supply a booklet about the music and Depression years prepared by Joan Crouse Ph.D. whose major field of study is New York history and the Depression. The booklet may be reproduced and distributed.

Depression Overview

This program addresses four main areas of the Depression experience in America. The presentation is divided into the following sections:

Ballads of the Dust Bowl

This program is dedicated exclusively to the songs and photographs depicting the plight of migrant workers who fled their farms in search for jobs. It highlights the disastrous ecological effects from years of poor agricultural policies. It follows with both heartache and humor the journey west taken by thousands of families as portrayed in Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath.” Song titles include, “Prairie Farewell,” “Dust Storm Disaster,” “Foreclosure Blues,” “Keep Moving,” as well as several Woody Guthrie ballads. The photographs accompanying the sings are some of the most moving portraits of 1930’s America ever recorded.