Event Details & Highlights
Date & Location
On Friday, October 16, the 2026 Woody Guthrie Prize celebration was held at Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The historic venue is more affectionately known as “The Home of Bob Wills” as well as the “Carnegie Hall of Western Swing.” The event, which took place from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. brought together music legends and guests to present Bette Midler with the Award. Ms. Midler participated in an on-stage conversation about art and activism with music journalist Rona Elliot and she surprised the attendees by singing her rousing updated version of Guthrie’s 1940 protest song “All You Fascists (Bound to Lose).”
Why Was Bette Midler This Year’s Chosen Recipient?
According to Cady Shaw, the Woody Guthrie Center’s Senior Director, Ms. Midler was selected as this year’s recipient “Because beneath the glamour, the spectacular voice, and that sharp sense of humor is a woman who understands something Woody knew all along. That we all have a responsibility to leave this world a little better than we found it. And that is precisely what the Woody Guthrie Prize celebrates. It recognizes artists whose contributions extend far beyond their creative achievements, individuals who have demonstrated the courage to speak up, and the determination to turn their convictions into meaningful action. Bette Midler embodies that spirit beautifully.”
Woody Guthrie’s granddaughter Anna Canoni echoed the sentiments, saying, “She woke up our neighborhood this year with her powerful rendition of ‘All You Fascists (Bound To Lose).’ She brought Woody back to the fight, back to the protest, the rallies, the ongoing struggle for democracy, and humanity. We are absolutely honored that she has joined our remarkable community of artists who have also carried Woody’s words and music to the fight.”
What Did Bette Midler Say at the Woody Guthrie Center?
Bette Midler offered some powerful words and sentiments at the event. The artist reminded attendees that “Justice doesn’t always come from the courthouse. Sometimes the law is late, overdressed, and on the wrong side. Justice comes from a beat-up guitar instead… So, when I wanted to say something about what I was seeing going on today, I took his [Woody’s] song, and I put new words in its mouth, because the old fights came back in new suits. They always do.”
Ms. Midler added, “Thank you for accepting me, and for letting me rewrite the song that became my small contribution to the Resistance. We’re having a knife fight in a phone booth. These are hard and terrible times. A war is being waged against us, and we are all being drafted. Whether the letter arrives or not. Thank you for noticing that I showed up for duty.”
Why Was Bryan Andrews at the Celebration?
Bryan Andrews is a rising country star who isn’t shy about sharing his political views. He was at the event to conclude the evening with a solo acoustic set which included:
- “Man in Black”
- “Backwoods Backwards”
- “Daughter’s Plea”
- “Yeehaw”
- “This Land is Your Land” – as a singalong with his audience
What Was Offered at the Silent Auction?
Besides celebrating the artistic and humanitarian achievements of the honored recipient, The Woody Guthrie Prize celebration is vital for raising the money required to fund the center’s mission of education, public programs, and the preservation of Woody’s message for future generations. The silent auction provides the financial resources to accomplish these goals. Following is a list of items that were included in the silent auction:
- A signed ukulele from Ms. Midler’s personal collection.
- A signed lithograph by Bob Dylan.
- Rare prints of Dylan and related artists.
- A premium ticket package from the Oklahoma City Thunder.
- Tickets to one of Garth Brooks’ upcoming Tulsa shows.
- And more.
What is the Woody Guthrie Center?
The Woody Guthrie Center serves three functions in the Tulsa Arts District community. It is a public museum, an educational facility, and an archive for Woody Guthrie, an iconic American folk singer-songwriter.
Museum
The museum aspect features such exhibits as a timeline of Woody’s life as well as a biographical film so attendees can quickly get up to speed on the artist’s remarkable life and career. There are also interactive listening and lyric-writing stations, a virtual reality experience that recreates the 1930s Dust Bowl era, and a series of rotating and special exhibits.
Educational Facility
In addition to school tours and field trips, the Woody Guthrie Center offers after-school programs, summer camps, and workshops. It also provides free educational materials, customized lesson plans, and classroom activities through its educational program called Woody’s Classroom.
Archives
A climate-controlled facility inside the Woody Guthrie Center houses the largest collection of material related to the Dust Bowl Troubadour. The space holds over 100,000 items, including personal notebooks, sketches, paintings, correspondence, scrapbooks, original handwritten lyrics, and a collection of musical instruments, such as Woody’s guitar, fiddle, banjo, and mandolin. The archives also preserve items of fellow folk activist Phil Ochs.
What is the Woody Guthrie Prize?
Each year, the Woody Guthrie Prize recognizes an artist who best exemplifies Woody Guthrie’s spirit and belief that art can be a force for social justice and change. The recipient can work in any medium, including music, film, literature, dance, or other art forms, that speaks for the less fortunate.
Past Woody Guthrie Prize Recipients
2025: U2
2024: Tom Morello
2023: Pussy Riot
2021: Bruce Springsteen
2020: Joan Baez
2019: Chuck D
2018: John Mellencamp
2017: Norman Lear
2016: Kris Kristofferson
2015: Mavis Staples
2014: Pete Seeger
