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| More than two dozen members of UnioNation, the IAM’s labor music project, performed 23 original numbers at a debut concert at the William W. Winpisinger Center. |
The IAM’s Labor Music Project, “UnioNation,” performed its debut concert at the William W. Winpisinger Education & Technology Center (W3 Center) in Hollywood, MD, to a packed audience who joined in the singing and clearly enjoyed the show.
IAM singers, songwriters and instrumentalists from across the U.S. and Canada gathered for a week of musical motivation and solidarity.
“The song United We Stand, Divided We Fall served as the spark for an idea that led to this week’s gathering of talented IAM members,” said William W. Winpisinger Center Instructor Henry Bagwell. “The song was written and performed by Nashville, TN Local 735 member, and UnioNation Co-Chair, Cody Wilder as an assignment at a Winpisinger Center class.”
Bagwell, who co-chairs the project with Wilder, solicited the membership earlier this year, searching for musicians, singers and poets interested in becoming part of the next chapter in the history of labor music. Members were invited to tell their stories about worker and social justice, walking the picket line, the solidarity of union brothers and sisters and so on. Those requests were met with enthusiasm, as more than two dozen IAM members heeded the call.
IAM International President Tom Buffenbarger attended the concert, and when it was over, expressed his approval. “You blew me away,” he told the group. “You blew me away!”
To get a flavor of UnioNation, click here to watch the video from that week. If you would like further information about the IAM’s Labor Music Project, contact Henry Bagwell at the W3 Center at 301-373-8815, or send an email to hbagwell@iamaw.org.
