The Stories Behind the Songs: Ken Casey Event Recap

It was an evening for the record books. Nearly 300 people shipped up to Boston on September 25 to show their support for Ken Casey, Dropkick Murphys, and the vibrant storytelling community that is Massachusetts. Songs were sung, stories were told, and solidarity was built.

Over the course of the night, Ken took the audience on a tour of his personal archive, sharing stories of being raised by his grandfather, working with Woody Guthrie’s family, life on tour with his bandmates, and speaking truth to power.

Governor Maura Healey emphasized the global reach that Ken and Dropkick Murphys’ music has had over the course of three decades:

“Your message and your words and your music resonate around the world, far beyond this commonwealth,” said Governor Healey. “There are people who fill stadiums. But there are people who fill stadiums and also are able to articulate social realities and injustices out there. And, get people to sing about that and take that in. And that is very, very special what you’ve been able to do, album after album.”

Governor Maura Healey and Ken Casey.
Governor Maura Healey and Ken Casey.

In addition to awarding Ken an official commendation, Governor Healey also announced that September 25 is now Dropkick Murphys Day in Massachusetts.

Following the presentation of the 2025 Massachusetts Storyteller of the Year Award, Ken spoke with Mass Humanities Executive Director Brian Boyles about five songs that influenced him and Dropkick Murphys’ signature sound. These include:

  • “Career Opportunities” by The Clash (1977)
  • “Dark Streets of London” by The Pogues (1984)
  • “Boys on the Docks” by Dropkick Murphys (1998)
  • “Ten Times More” by Dropkick Murphys (lyrics by Woody Guthrie) (2022)
  • “Who’ll Stand with Us?” by Dropkick Murphys (2025)

Watch the video below to learn about Ken’s experiences. Time stamps for each song are viewable on Youtube.

“I don’t know what impact Dropkick Murphys’ music will have on the next generation. Hopefully we’ll be more known in the end for what we did and how we carried ourselves than what the music was.”—Ken Casey

A special thank you to everyone who attended, especially Elizabeth Solomon, Councilwoman of the Massachusett Tribe at Ponkapoag; Massachusetts Poet Laureate Regie Gibson; Governor Maura Healey and First Lady Joanna Lydgate; and State Representatives Sean Garballey and Patricia Duffy. Thank you for supporting the humanities in Massachusetts.

Elizabeth Solomon, Councilwoman of the Massachusett Tribe at Ponkapoag, shared a welcome to the territory acknowledgement to begin the ceremony.
Regie Gibson.
Massachusetts’ First Poet Laureate Regie Gibson. Gibson shared a dynamic original work titled “Let’s take it back.”
Ken Casey and friends.
Ken Casey and friends.
First Lady Joanna Lydgate, State Representative Patricia Duffy, Mass Humanities Board Member Brittney Walley, Executive Director Brian Boyles, Governor Maura Healey, Ken Casey, Eileen Kelly, Mass Humanities Board Chair Aaron Vega, State Representative Sean Garballey.
First Lady Joanna Lydgate, State Representative Patricia Duffy, Mass Humanities Board Member Brittney Walley, Executive Director Brian Boyles, Governor Maura Healey, Ken Casey, Eileen Kelly, Mass Humanities Board Chair Aaron Vega, State Representative Sean Garballey.
Audience members at "In the Archives with Ken Casey: A Benefit for Mass Humanities."
“In the Archives with Ken Casey: A Benefit for Mass Humanities.”
Ken Casey and Brian Boyles on stage.
Ken Casey shares stories behind five of the songs that influenced him and Dropkick Murphys’ signature sound.
Ken Casey and Brian Boyles on stage.
Ken Casey describes hearing The Clash’s 1977 hit “Career Opportunities” for the first time.
Ken Casey gives a hug to the winner of a signed guitar.
Attendees had the opportunity to win a guitar signed by Ken. Special thanks to Falcetti Music in Springfield for donating the guitar.
People clapping.
Showing support for Ken.
Ken Casey and Brian Boyles on stage.
Ken tells the story of how Woody Guthrie’s family invited the band to spend time in the singer-songwriter’s archives. In 2022, Dropkick Murphys released the album This Machine Still Kills Fascists, featuring songs with lyrics by Guthrie and music by DKM. Here, Ken shares insight into the song “Ten Times More.”
Brittney Walley, Ken Casey, and Brian Boyles.
Mass Humanities Board Member Brittney Walley, Nipmuc, is a tribal activist and traditional weaver. She created a woven basket depicting Dropkick Murphys’ latest album cover. The reverse side shows Mass Humanities’ logo and the tagline “Be Human.” The basket was created to honor Ken and underscore the storytelling layers of objects and archives.

Ken Casey and Brian Boyles on stage.

Ken Casey is a 2025 Massachusetts Storyteller of the Year. Congratulations, Ken!

Members of the Mass Humanities Board of Directors with Governor Healey and Ken Casey.

A special thank-you to our 2025 event sponsors. We couldn’t have made this event a reality without your generosity.

Visionary
Eastern Bank
Mass Humanities Board of Directors

Luminary
Anonymous
Al and Sally Griggs

Narrator
WERS 88.9 Boston’s UnCommon Radio
Ron and Colleen Hertel
Jeff Musman

Patron
John Burgess
Gourmet Caterers
Larry Hott
Steve and Darcy Immerman
Kristin McGurn
Red Sox Foundation
Laura Roberts and Ed Belove
Seyfarth Shaw
Vacovec, Mayotte & Singer

Supporter
AFL-CIO
David Bryant and Ellen F. Berkman
Jeremy Sampson
Falcetti Music
Hadley Printing
Brittney Walley

Mass Humanities Board Challenge
Anonymous
Al and Sally Griggs
Steve and Darcy Immerman
Larry Hott
Jeff Musman
Ron and Colleen Hertel
Laura Roberts
Yves Salomon-Fernández
Debbie Hall
Brittney Walley
Ruth Smith
Leo Hwang
Amy Macdonald
Kristin McGurn
John Burgess
Lyell Franke
Erin Williams
Marita Rivero
David Bryant
Chris Goode
Deena Caswell
Scott Casper
Aaron Vega
Jackie Jenkins-Scott
CJ Crowder
Michael Meltsner
Ken Vacovec
Kristin McGurn
Gage McWeeny