Protest songs are blasting into the internet’s spaces faster than I can tally. Facebook and Instagram feeds are bursting at the phone edges thanks to AlGoRithm. Some of the artists are younger than my grandkids, some are even older than I. My hypothesis is that, of all creative professions, songwriters, cartoonists, and comedians are exceptionally agile at quick response, first because their minds are always in gear, second because the tools to feed content to the masses are instantaneous.

Jesse Welles might be the most well-known outside of traditional folk circles. He’s a coveted talk show guest, every mother wants to straighten his rambling curly hair, and many men admire his ability to pull off surgically precise criticism without receiving backlash.

He toiled through his 20s as a nearly obscure musician. In 2024 after watching his father navigate a near-death medical emergency he was jolted to not waste any of his creative output. His muse’s floodgate opened and poured out folky protest songs on timely topics. Videos of him performing in meadows went viral faster than COVID. His songs are melodically unadorned while lyrically dense and he never misses a word. A 1:23 minute satirical recruitment song for I.C.E was his tipping point. Darling status achieved! The Americana world embraced him as did Indivisible groups nationwide.

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Chris Housman, born in a small west Kansas town in 1990, and an out gay man at 18, has taken Nashville by the hairs they’d like to keep protected, and he has cemented his reputation as a serious songwriter with something important to say. He’s been dubbed as “the ‘gayme-changer’ the country music field needed,” by USA Today. His debut album Blueneck was a bold and proud display of his sharp songwriting, musical dexterity, and unwavering commitment to his story. Rolling Stone called the title track “a defiant anthem of staying true to your heart in the face of a world that tells you to dim your shine,” while Billboard stated the project “melds a ’90s country sound with songs that reflect Housman’s own truths and journey.”

Housman’s newest release, Up and Down, co-written with Jess Grommet, plainly articulates the “let ‘em eat cake” callous and cruel divisions created by the rich against the poor.

[Verse 1]
National math scores are slipping
But we’re better than ever at division
Oh something about this isn’t adding up
Every day’s a new battle
Trying to keep our ass in the saddle
Now they’re rounding us up like cattlein a truck (What the fuck)

[Chorus]
They’re high up on that horse
We’re down here fighting wars
They give to the rich, take from the poor
Makes you wonder what we’re working for
They’ve got us all turned around
I’ve realized the real divide ain’t left and right
It’s up and down

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Martin Kerr, a seasoned songwriter and performer from Edmonton, AB, Canada has a softer and more humane approach to protest. He articulates what’s rambling in most decent people’s minds, poetically connecting heads, hearts and hands into action, either solo or in groups. A friend who was steadfast about not showing up to a protest introduced me to his song, The Time We’ve Been Given and said it changed her mind. She had to do something.

The song is on his Overdue for a Revolution CD that contains 6 original protest songs and six parodies, including: “What’s Up America” to the 4 Non Blondes’ “What’s Up” and “God Rest Ye Merry Billionaires” to the Christmas tune.

The Time We’ve Been Given

There’s a lady sleeping underneath the bridge around the corner
She’s been living there about a year
And if she’s still holding on to what the future’s got in store
How could I give in to all my fear?

I could cry all night wishing for another life
To be born another time, before this darkness
But that choice ain’t mine, all that we get to decide
is what to do here in the time that we’ve been given.

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I’ve recently discovered Windborne, a 4-person vocal harmony group based in Massachusetts, and I’m beyond excited that they’ll be playing Sacramento on May 2. Holy Harmony – I’m ready to bathe myself in their profound magic. Enjoy their rendition of Woody’s “You Fascists Bound to Lose.” Their latest project, Of Hard Times & Harmony, explores themes of social consciousness, singing in four languages and showcasing the emotion their voices can evoke – everything from rage to humor and grace.

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I must mention venerable folkies Cathy Fink and Tom Paxton whose mastery of words and tunes perfectly capture protest energy.

THE PRESIDENT’S FOR SALE
Cathy Fink/Tom Paxton
©2 Spoons Music, ASCAP/Bristow Songs, SESAC

V1 & Cho

The president’s for sale
If you got enough money
If you ain’t rich
You’re outta luck honey
He’s the hammer, you’re the nail
And the 47th president is holding a sale

One million dollars and you’re in the door
Two million gets you to the second floor
Three million buys your own legislation
Millions of bucks buy the key to the nation

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Can’t leave out Carsie Blanton,  a self-described “songwriter with hooks, chutzpah, and revolutionary optimism.” American Songwriter describes her as “”Fighting fascism with big hooks and an even bigger heart.” Working tirelessly for more than 20 years, she’s amassed over half a million fans. She’s long drawn inspiration from artist-activists, and her catalog is a wide exploration woven with humor, classic melodies, and spunky performances. Living her truth, she refused to accept the 2026 Artist of the Year award from Folk Alliance while asking FAI to alter the business model of the conference to make it possible for musicians to attend without cost.
I present her most requested song for enthusiastic audience singalongs:

I had to pick a place to stop, and Carsie’s unapologetic authentic honesty seems like a good spot. I’m already gathering names and links for a future article to highlight and amplify the voices of more brilliant protest songsters.