Greatest song about America? Music Guys David Browne and Tom Junod to discuss choices

David Browne, seven time author and senior writer at Rolling Stone, and Tom Junod, author of the recently published memoir “In the Days of My Youth I Was Told What It Means to be a Man,” and senior editor of ESPN.com, have been sharing a conversation about music with Islanders for the last seven years. 

This summer’s topic, “Freedom Rock: The Story of America in Song,” asks folks to submit their favorite song that represents America. You can submit your answer on the library website (silibrary.org) and the winning song will be revealed on Aug. 28, when they hold their fun, lively conversation at 4 p.m. at St. Mary’s.

When I asked David about this year’s topic he told me that a few times a week, he and Tom Junod get on the phone and “talk and laugh about music. We chose this year’s topic thanks to the Semiquincentennial. As soon as we heard the country was going to be turning 250 years old this summer, we thought a talk about songs about America would be a blast.” 

In a brainstorming conversation with Library Director Terry Lucas and Senior Librarian Sara Garcia, they came up with the idea for the favorite song contest. David said the votes are in the process of being tabulated. You can add your vote by going to the Shelter Island Library website where you’ll find a form to write in your choice. David and Tom will be playing and discussing songs about specific moments in American history. 

This promises to be a rollicking conversation. Don’t miss it!