Boycott Hormel: Live From Austin

Boycott Hormel: Live From Austin

Tracklist

1. Unity featuring Larry Schmidt 1:02
2. Proud To March With P-9 featuring Dennis Jones 3:05
3. Striking Hormel Worker Pt. 1 featuring Larry Schmidt 2:09
4. Moment of Decision featuring Larry Long 2:54
5. Picketline Trilogy (Union Made) featuring Carrie Gerendasy Mim Olsen, Women of P-9 1:48
6. Slow Justice by Paul Metsa 2:59
7. Striking Hormel Worker Pt. 2 featuring Larry Schmidt 0:32
8. United We Stand featuring Dennis Jones 3:55
9. Striking Hormel Worker Pt. 3 featuring Larry Schmidt 0:26
10. Which Side Are You On featuring Larry Long & Carrie Gerendasy 3:06
11. Makes Me Wonder Who You’re Working For featuring Dave Pirner & Grant Hart 2:44
12. Let Us Rise Up & Sing featuring Larry Long 3:22
13. Solidarity Forever featuring Carrie Gerendasy, Larry Long, Mim Olsen & Striking Workers of P-9 2:55

Boycott Hormel: Live From Austin was produced by Larry Long in 1986.

All proceeds went to Adopt a P-9 Family Fund. Over $10,000 was raised to support those workers out on strike.

Larry Long’s Boycott Hormel: Live From Austin is a stirring live album that captures the spirit of solidarity and resistance during the 1985–1986 Hormel strike in Austin, Minnesota. Produced in 1986, the album served as both a fundraiser and a rallying cry, raising over $10,000 for the Adopt a P-9 Family Fund to support striking workers.

The Hormel strike was a significant labor dispute involving approximately 1,500 workers protesting wage cuts and unsafe working conditions. The strike, which lasted from August 17, 1985, to September 13, 1986, drew national attention and highlighted the struggles of organized labor during a period of decline in union power.

The album features a collection of songs and spoken-word pieces that reflect the emotions and experiences of the striking workers and their supporters. Tracks like “Proud To March With P-9” featuring Dennis Jones and “Solidarity Forever” with Carrie Gerendasy, Larry Long, Mim Olsen, and striking workers of P-9, encapsulate the unity and determination of the labor movement. The inclusion of “Which Side Are You On” with new words and vocals by Larry Long and Carrie Gerendasy connects the Hormel strike to a broader history of labor struggles.

Larry Long, a Minneapolis-based singer-songwriter known for his work in social justice and community storytelling, brings authenticity and passion to the album. His commitment to highlighting the voices of marginalized communities is evident throughout the recording.

The live recordings capture the raw energy of the time, with audience reactions and ambient sounds adding to the immersive experience. The album not only serves as a historical document but also as an inspiration for ongoing labor activism.

Boycott Hormel: Live From Austin stands as a testament to the power of music in social movements, preserving the legacy of the Hormel strike and honoring the resilience of the workers involved.