Bette Midler Accepts 2026 Woody Guthrie Prize, Sings Protest Classic: ‘My Small Contribution to the Resistance’
Yep, she's woke. And proud of it.
On October 16, Bette Midler accepted the 2026 Woody Guthrie Prize at Cain's Ballroom in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She performed her updated rendition of Guthrie's 1940s protest song "All You Fascists (Bound to Lose)" while wearing a T-shirt displaying the song's title. Midler explained that justice often comes from unexpected sources, like a "beat-up guitar" rather than the courthouse.
She emphasized that the new generation faces ongoing struggles for democracy and humanity, and that the Woody Guthrie Prize celebrates artists who extend their creative achievements beyond music, through courage and meaningful action. The annual award recognizes artists who embody Guthrie's belief that music can be a force for social justice and change.
Midler's performance was part of a fundraiser to support the Woody Guthrie Center's educational programs, public concerts, and exhibitions.
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