The Foremen

The Foremen, a Southern California ensemble, blended comedy with music by performing in suits and ties while delivering tight folk harmonies reminiscent of the Kingston Trio and the Limeliters. Their material delivered sharp satirical commentary on current American political life, which helped the group attract listeners across the ideological spectrum; in 1996 they appeared at the national conventions of both major parties. February of that year brought airplay for “Ollie Ollie Off Scott Free” on Oliver North’s nationally syndicated radio program, and the track “Ain’t No Liberal” quickly became an unofficial anthem for the ascendant conservative movement.

Roy Zimmerman, the band’s principal songwriter and leader, hatched the concept after spotting a Wayfarers album in a bargain bin; the discovery prompted him to assemble a group that would lampoon folk-revival traditions. He enlisted multi-instrumentalist Doug Whitney and upright bassist Andrew Corwin, and the trio issued the live set Sing It Loud on Metaphor, the imprint Zimmerman ran with his wife. Warner Bros. Nashville president Jim Ed Norman encountered the Foremen at a social gathering, signed them to the label’s Reprise imprint, and co-produced two albums: Folk Heroes, which extended their folk-revival sound, and What’s Left?, which incorporated Southern California pop and rock textures. Commercial results were disappointing, prompting Zimmerman’s exit; although the remaining members kept performing, activity dwindled sharply once he departed.