Chopping Wood

About the Author

Pete Seeger was America's best-known folksinger and storyteller whose career spanned over seven decades. Starting out in the union movement of the 1940s and continuing through the blacklist, the civil rights and peace movements of the 1950s and 60s, the environmental movement of the 70s and 80s, and beyond, Pete Seeger stayed current to multiple generations, standing out as a voice for justice and human dignity. His groups such as The Almanac Singers and The Weavers brought folk music onto the national airwaves for the first time, and his songs 'If I Had A Hammer' and 'Turn, Turn, Turn' became hugely popular after being recorded by artists such as Peter, Paul & Mary, and The Byrds. Pete's almost constant touring of schools and camps with his legendary banjo on his back inspired countless young musicians to follow in his footsteps writing and singing songs of substance. He spent his later years striving to find ways for people to understand their human commonality in an increasingly divided world. His accolades include multiple Grammy Awards, the Kennedy Center Honors, and induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. David Bernz is a Hudson Valley folksinger and a two-time Grammy-winning producer ('Best Folk Album' 2008, 'Best Children's Album' 2010). Born in 1958, David has a BA in history from Boston University (1980) and a Juris Doctorate from CUNY Law School (1991). His parents were heavily involved in the folk movement of the 1940s and 50s and were family friends of the Seegers. David grew up knowing Pete and eventually became his producer, recording both music and spoken word with him. David currently owns Main Street Music, a stringed instrument shop in Beacon, New York, together with his son and business partner Jacob Bernz, who is also a gifted songwriter and performer.