Wisdom of the Elders, is a monthly series where our host and series creator, Sonny Ochs, along with co-host, Ron Olesko, invite distinguished members of the Folk community to share stories, advice and the occasional song.  

This month's show features three acclaimed artists who have combined social activism with their lives as performing songwriters.

CHARLIE KING - Charlie King is a musical storyteller and political satirist. He sings and writes passionately about the extraordinary lives of ordinary people. His songs have been recorded and sung by other performers such as Pete Seeger, Holly Near, Ronnie Gilbert, John McCutcheon, Arlo Guthrie, Peggy Seeger, Chad Mitchell and Judy Small. (www.charlieking.org)

JOHN FLYNN - A singer-songwriter and activist known for his powerful music that moved legendary folk DJ Gene Shay to call  John "the most quintessential folk singer in my life". John is also the Executive Director of New Beginnings- Next Step, a peer-support group for returning citizens as they transition from incarceration to freedom. (www.johnflynn.net)

JOHN McCUTCHEON -  For fifty years now “Folk Music’s Rustic Renaissance Man” (Washington Post) John McCutcheon has been everywhere in the folk music scene. A breath-taking multi instrumentalist, a traditional music archivist, one of the primary revivalists of the hammer dulcimer, a pioneering children’s and family artist, a prolific and wide ranging songwriter, and the very definition of the touring Road Warrior. (www.folkmusic.com)