About Carl Allen

The year was 1959. Like every other college campus in America, Washington State University had a Kingston Trio look-alike and sound-alike. In Pullman it was the Wanderers, Bill Murlin, Carl Allen and Al Hansen. They sang at dances, parties, granges, and anywhere else a crowd could be found.

Among other songs, they sang Woody Guthrie tunes, not because they knew anything about Woody, but because the songs were good.

After graduation, Carl Allen and Bill Murlin continued performing under their name, the Wanderers. For more than 40 years they have sung at state fairs, house parties, weddings, coffee houses and folk festivals.

In 1984 Murlin, a Bonneville Power Employee, was assigned the task of finding the 26 songs Woody wrote in 1941. The songs were to be used during the 50th anniversary celebration of the Bonneville Dam and the Bonneville Power Administration. This led both Murlin and Allen to do detailed research into Woody's life.

An Hour With Woody Guthrie covers the Columbia River Songs and other famous folk songs written by Woody Guthrie.

The Great Depression Story is told using songs and anecdotes, and involves using the stories told by many in the audience.   

Credits: Carl Allen has done music for two television specials for KCTS Public Television in Seattle.

• The River (about life along the Columbia River using Woody's Songs)