In PETE SEEGER: POWER OF SONG, the only authorized biography, Jim Brown documents the life of one of the greatest American singer / songwriters of the last century. Pete Seeger was the architect of the folk revival, writing some of its best known songs including “"Where Have All the Flowers Gone,” “"Turn, Turn, Turn” and “"If I Had A Hammer." Largely misunderstood by his critics, including the US government, for his views on peace, unionism, civil rights and ecology, Seeger was targeted by the communist witch hunt of the Fifties. He was picketed, protested, blacklisted, and, in spite of his enormous popularity, banned from American television for more than 17 years. With a combination of never-before-seen archival footage and personal films made by Seeger and his wife, PETE SEEGER: POWER OF SONG chronicles the life of this legendary artist and political activist. PETE SEEGER: POWER OF SONG was directed by Jim Brown and produced by Jim Brown, Michael Cohl, and William Eigen and executive produced by Norman Lear and Toshi Seeger.

DIRECTOR STATEMENT
For me, Pete Seeger has been one of the most important voices and influential musicians in America. He got a whole generation interested in playing guitar and banjo, got them singing together, and helped introduce America to its own folk heritage, while using music as an instrument for social change.

For a brief period, Pete was a member of the American Communist Party and used music to organize labor unions. Subsequently, he was blacklisted. While Pete sang about unions, civil rights, the environment and peace, the government tried to censor him. He was kept off commercial television for 17 years. In addition, his concerts were often picketed. He never backed down and always stood by his beliefs.

Pete Seeger's ethics are pure. He believes that everyone is equal. He is an American patriot who built his own log cabin and lives simply in the woods. Pete has a complete distrust of commercial forces, pop culture, technology, greed, fame and the corporate and military influences on democracy. He hates the word career, and has no interest in personal gain, shuns publicity and works tirelessly with his wife, Toshi, because he believes we are blindly destroying the world. He might be right. There are lessons to be learned by exploring his life and music.

Production Credits
Director:
Jim Brown

Producers:
Jim Brown, Michael Cohl, William Eigen

Executive Producers:
Norman Lear, Toshi Seeger

Editors:
Sam Pollard, Jason L. Pollard

Line Producers:
Sarah Cullen, Nicole Craig

Cameramen:
Jim Brown, Tom Hurwitz, Bobby Shepard

Associate Producer:
Kitama Jackson