REX FOUNDATION
P.O. Box 29608
San Francisco, CA 94129-0608
(415) 561-3134
info@rexfoundation.org
Fed ID # 68 0033257

Pete Seeger

Recipient of the Rex Foundation's 2001
RALPH J. GLEASON AWARD

The Rex Foundation established the Ralph J. Gleason Award in 1986 for outstanding contributions to culture. The award is named in memory of the pioneering jazz and pop music journalist Ralph J. Gleason (1917-1975) who was a major figure in the advancement of creative music in America. Gleason displayed an openness to new music and new ideas that transcended differences between generations and styles.

Pete Seeger introduced Americans to music from all around the world and humbly transformed American culture. Among his famous, popular songs are Turn Turn Turn, Where Have All the Flowers Gone, and If I Had a Hammer. Pete Seeger not only transformed the musical culture of America, he committed himself to social and economic justice. A lifelong activist, Pete stood up to the House of UnAmerican Activities Committee, and participated in anti-nuclear, civil rights and environments movements. Pete Seeger also actively advocated for publishing rights of unknown, unrecognized and dead songwriters. Mr. Seeger has chosen to contribute his award grant to Project Clearwater and Sing Out! Magazine. Project Clearwater works to create a world in which clean, safe water is available to everyone. The mission of Sing Out! Magazine is to preserve and support the cultural diversity and heritage of all traditional and contemporary folk music and to encourage making folk music a part of our everyday lives.


In the Fall 2001.issue of Sing Out, Pete Seeger writes "And the story doesn't have to end as long as there's a human race on earth that likes to sing, and likes to look at the stars, and likes to think about the old times while thinking about the new times to come. And every century will have new problems to solve, and new disagreements. We will learn that when words fail (and they will) we'll find other ways to communicate. Try the arts, pictures, dancing, sports, foods, textiles, ceramics, melodies. Who knows? We and our fellow human beings will find a way to agree to disagree."