The program debuted on December 9, 1945 and aired every Saturday at 10 pm in New York City.  According to The Guinness Book of World Records, it was the longest-running radio program with the same host.  In 1995, on its fiftieth anniversary, the program won a prestigious Peabody Award for its contribution to American culture. Through his show, Mr. Brand championed folk music and provided a platform for artistic expression for talent such as Woody Guthrie, The Weavers, Huddie Ledbetter, Bob Dylan, Judy Collins, Harry Belafonte, Joan Baez, Phil Ochs, Harry Chapin, Arlo Guthrie, Emmylou Harris, Joni Mitchell, Peter, Paul & Mary, Kingston Trio, Pete Seeger, and many others.

When not presenting Folksong Festival, Oscar Brand was the curator of the Songwriters' Hall of Fame, author of seven best-selling books, recorded 90 LPs, written songs for Doris Day, Ella Fitzgerald, Harry Belefonte, the Smothers Brothers, and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. He had been on the faculty of The New School, New York University, and Hofstra University. He had a BS in Psychology from Brooklyn College, a Laureate from Fairfield University, and an honorary Doctorate from the University of Winnipeg.

Visit Oscar Brand's website