Musicians have used song for social commentary and activism from the time of ancient Greek poet-songsters right through the recent tsunami-relief concert in Austin. In the early twentieth century, UT employee John A. Lomax and his son Alan pioneered field recordings of African American blues singers like Leadbelly and Muddy waters, while today Willie Nelson uses song and rallies in support of family farmers. These and other efforts are the focus of this forum. A round table discussion with audience participation will allow musicians a unique opportunity to relate their personal experiences with social engagement and comment on the impact of music and musicians on major social and political issues. This provocative exchange of ideas among students, academics, politicians, artists and the general public is a first of its kind at the University.

 

The “Instruments of Freedom” forum recognizes the contribution to social change made by President Lyndon B. Johnson. In 1965, President Johnson championed the national voting rights act as “an important instrument of freedom pass[ing] into the hands of millions of our citizens. But that instrument must be used.” In the spirit of this rallying call, and in conjunction with the LBJ Library and Museum’s new exhibition, “Signs of the Times: Life in the Swingin’ Sixties,” musicians and scholars will lend their voices and views at the “Instruments of Freedom” forum. Sponsors of the event include the College of Communication, Center for American Music, UT Mediation and Facilitation Center, LBJ Library and Museum and Global Leadership Organization.

 

A group of notable Texas musicians and distinguished University of Texas scholars will gather on Wednesday, March 2, 2005 t discuss how music and musicians affect political and social issues at the ‘Instruments of Freedom.” The summit of musical artists and scholars, which will take place at the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library on the UT campus at 7 p/m/ As part o a weeklong campus celebration of music and social change from February 26 to March 5, 2005, will be followed by a concert in the hall hosted by David Garza and feature several special guests. Admission is free and open to the public. Forum guests include Roky Erickson, Jerry Jeff Walker, Marcia Ball, Kinky Friedman, Sara Hickman, Tony Scalzo, Carolyn Wonderland, and Harold McMillan.

 

A round table discussion with audience participation will allow artists a unique opportunity to give accounts of personal experiences with social engagement, the role of artists in social arenas, political exploitation, and social issues affected by music and musicians. This unique setting of students, academics, politicians, and the general public is the first of its kind at the University. The LBJ exhibit, which runs from December 2004 through the summer of 2005, captures the excitement of the 1960s in every area of American popular culture, including the ‘British Invasion,’ Motown, garage rock, and psychedelic music displays.

 

This exchange of ideas will echo a traditional role musicians have played as advocates for truth, a role that reaches as far back as the age of the troubadours. In the United States, popular music-from the blues to hip hop- has not only helped heal the oppressed and inspired courageous acts, it has also been a tool used in the struggle against discrimination. Music has played an especially central function in Austin, Texas and its use in social and political contexts is underlined at “Instruments of Freedom”