The singer/songwriter (think Ed Sheeran) has been a mainstay of the rock/pop world for over a half-century, but in terms of popular music, the rock troubadour (think Bob Dylan) was the landmark musical icon of the sociopolitical turmoil and cultural stew of the 1960s.

While there were some major exceptions in the early years of rock and roll (think Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly), prior to that, singer/songwriters were more typically genre stylists (e.g. Hank Williams).

That makes what happened in the 1960s both revolutionary then and still impactful today.

Watch the following DVDS

'The Troubadors: The Rise of the Singer-Songwriter : (DVD) (16159)

Then, watch:

'The Hitmakers : (DVD) (16163) 2001

'Simon & Garfunkel: The Concert in Central Park'

'Martin Scorcese's "No Direction Home" (Dylan) : (DVD) (11087) 2005

Leonard Cohen: I’m Your Man

Phil Ochs: There But For The fortune

Paul Simon and friends : Gershwin Prize for popular song : (DVD) (16441) 2007 ID

Answer the following questions:

1) In 250 words or less: From Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Phil Ochs and Leonard Cohen…pick a favorite song from each of them and tell me why you think that song speaks to you in 2017.

2) For each of these four artists, write 100 words or less.

What did you learn about Bob Dylan that surprised you and what did you learn that you found valuable and relevant?

Same question for Paul Simon, Phil Ochs and Leonard Cohen.

3) In 250 words or less…from watching The Troubadors and the Hitmakers, what did you learn about the singer/songwriter era that supports the idea of there being a songwriting renaissance in the rock era…and which songwriters today do you think both fit that tradition and are having/will have careers that stand the test of time?