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| Old Protest Musicians Singing Again... Generated by Firefly Adobe. |
When I was a young person, a boarder in a Catholic convent school, I thrilled to the "hootenanny" events staged by the nearby boys' high school. A young man named Jim Jutras would sit down at the piano in the large auditorium and lead us in a vigorous singalong of pieces made popular by the Limelighters (the Hammer Song) and the Medical Mission Sisters (Long Road to Freedom). We also sang Dylan's Blowin' In the Wind and other like songs that gave us deep sentimental stirrings about the wickedness of War and racial inequality.
The "folk" protest music tradition has long been a powerful force for social change, particularly in the 1960s and 1970s. Artists like Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and Phil Ochs turned music into a vehicle for activism, addressing issues like civil rights, war, and government corruption. Their songs weren’t just entertainment—they were rallying cries. Dylan’s Blowin’ in the Wind and Ochs’ I Ain’t Marching Anymore captured the spirit of resistance, while artists like John Prine used wit and storytelling to critique social and political issues. Joni Mitchell, Peter, Paul and Mary, and even the Beatles contributed to the musical movement to counter war and injustice.
Today’s poets and song-writer/singers continue to challenge authority and provoke thought, and two such artists are Jesse Wells (Welles) and Martin Kerr.
Jesse Wells (Welles) – A New Era of Protest Music
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| Find Jesse Wells under WellesMusic on Instagram |
Jesse Wells, who also performs under the name Welles, is a singer-songwriter from Northwest Arkansas. Though he has been making music for over a decade, his recent work has drawn comparisons to protest icons like John Prine and Phil Ochs. His lyrics, described as dark, biting, and deeply critical of modern systems, tackle contemporary issues such as corporate greed, war, and public health crises.
His song War Isn’t Murder exemplifies his approach. It critiques the language used to justify war, questioning whether conflicts fought under the banner of national interest can be separated from acts of murder. The song’s release coincided with a wave of student anti-war protests, making its message particularly timely. This kind of cultural immediacy, much like Barry McGuire’s Eve of Destruction in the 1960s, cements Wells’ role as a modern protest singer.
His other songs, such as Fat, challenge societal narratives around personal responsibility, calling out the way corporations manipulate food production for profit while blaming individuals for the consequences. This ability to combine sharp social critique with folk-style songwriting has led some to see him as a modern successor to Prine and Ochs, blending humor, irony, and anger to create songs that resonate with today’s political climate
Some portions of this blog post were edited using AI assistance (ChatGPT) for clarity and readability. All final content has been reviewed and approved by me.
Martin Kerr – The Gentle Protest Singer
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| You can find Martin Kerr on MartinKerrMusic on Instagram |
Martin Kerr, a British-Canadian singer-songwriter, takes a different approach to protest music. While Wells leans into biting critique, Kerr uses uplifting melodies and intimate storytelling to engage audiences with social issues. Often compared to James Taylor and Passenger, Kerr has built his career through grassroots support, busking and self-releasing music, rather than following a traditional industry path. (He will be in appearing April 18, 2025 at the Edmonton Winspear Centre.)
His protest songs tend to focus on themes of human connection and justice, rather than overt political statements. However, his live performances often include commentary on contemporary issues, reflecting his belief in music as a force for social change. He has spoken out about income inequality, mental health, and environmental responsibility, incorporating these themes into his lyrics in a way that invites reflection rather than confrontation.
Kerr’s ability to connect directly with audiences has led to comparisons with classic folk artists like Paul Simon. While he may not have the raw edge of a Dylan or Ochs, his sincerity and grassroots approach to spreading his message make The Legacy of Protest Music and Two Modern Voices
The New Generation of Protest Singers
Both Jesse Wells and Martin Kerr represent different facets of modern protest music. Wells channels the urgency and poetic defiance of 1960s folk activists, confronting power structures with unfiltered critiques. Kerr, on the other hand, continues the tradition of folk music as a means of storytelling and subtle persuasion, inspiring change through connection rather than confrontation.
Together, they remind us that protest music is alive and well, evolving with new voices and new platforms, from TikTok to intimate live performances. While their styles differ, both are part of the lineage that began with Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, and the folk revivalists of the past, proving that music remains a potent force for speaking truth to power.
What do you think of these "new" protest singers?
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