Shows - Linda Russell, Historical Musician

A MUSICAL DISCOVERY OF 18th CENTURY AMERICA

Broadsides, ballads, love songs and humorous ditties are accompanied by Linda's instrumentals as she tells the stories of everyday life in early America. Included are such songs as "Johnnie's Gone for a Soldier", "Soldier, Soldier, Will You Marry Me" and George Washington's favorite dance tune!

19th CENTURY NEW YORK STATE IN SONG AND STORY

Linda explores the life of rural New York State through the music of farmers, canal boatmen and lumberjacks, as well as the popular songs of parlor and porch. This program can be adapted to the history of any state.

SONGS OF THE CIVIL WAR

Hear the recruiting songs that urged young men to sign up to fight, the anthems that inspired them and the musical complaints about the food and conditions they endured such as "Army Beans" "Hard Crackers, Come Again No More" and "Goober Peas". Included also are the ballads about the yearning for home and the loved ones left behind.

THE ERIE CANAL ERA IN SONG

An exploration of the songs that built the canal as sung by the diggers, boatmen and people that celebrated on the banks of “Clinton's Ditch!”

WESTWARD HO!

Music accompanied the pioneers on their trek to the Promised Land. This presentation highlights the minstrel melodies, hymns, humorous ditties, dance tunes and parlor ballads that soothed, entertained and inspired the travellers on their harrowing journey.

SONGS OF THE HISTORIC HUDSON

The story of the Hudson River as seen through the songs that reflected life in the Hudson Valley throughout its history. Included are songs of the Revolution, of Erie canal boatmen and sailors, of boats and lost love.

SONGS AMERICA VOTED BY

Linda takes you on a romp through elections past as you hear the ditties that inspired Americans to vote. She sings gems like Tippecanoe and Tyler, Too, Grover's Veto and You're All Right, Teddy.

ONLY AN IMMIGRANT

The struggles and the joys of the immigrant experience come to life through song. This program can focus on the Irish and Germans who made up the bulk of the newly arrived in mid-century – or it can survey the experiences of a broader range of immigrants from the 1600’s to the 1920’s.

SONGS OF NATURE AND THE LAND

The music of America’s past reveals our changing relationship with nature, from 18th century ballads where poetic imagery of birds and flowers carried the day to the 19th century songs with their vivid depictions of lumberjacks, miners and farmers facing the daily rigors of working the land. Included are songs of the environmental movement, as well.