One Man Shows

Educational and Historical Presentations

A facet of my performing life that has taken on increasing importance and become a source of joy is my growing body of one-man shows.

I have the following one-man shows available for immediate bookings.

Carl Sandburg: Poet of the People

I am fascinated by the poetry, music (yes, he was a musician) of this brilliant man, who from humble beginnings, as the son of an illiterate Swedish blacksmith in Galesburg, Illinois, rose to become a two-time Pulitzer prize winner. Known around the world, Sandburg literally defines the essence of American life with his stunning free verse and stories. He also was a serious folk musicologist. In this show I weave together Carl Sandburg’s poetry, stories of Lincoln and American folksongs, including some of my original material, to bring to life one of America’s best loved poetic giants.

The American Songbag: A tour of American History through Folk Music

From Colonial times to the Great Depression, this medley of song and story can present an either an overarching journey through time or focus on a single period of American history, such as the Civil War, sod-busting pioneer days, the steamboat era, the westward migration or many others. Based on Carl Sandburg’s collected volume of American folksongs, The American Songbag.

A Brief History of the Blues

The blues was born a long way from the cotton fields, the sharecropper’s shacks and juke joints of the Mississippi Delta. The blues was born a long ay from the legend of Robert Johnson selling his soul to the Devil. The blues was born in all of humanity a long time ago. Join me as we trace, in story and song, the human history that spawned this most passionate of music, the Blues.

Connections: Linking Medieval Inventions with our Modern World

Time-travel back to the days of knights and chivalry in this educational/musical program. Learn how the discoveries and inventions of that most misunderstood of time periods, the Middle Ages, have made a major impact on our lives today. I utilize obscure instruments of the period in this one. You’ll never look at history the same way again.

An Irish Immigrant’s Song: The Celtic Influx

At the time of the “Great Hunger” the Mid-West was the western frontier. The influx of Celtic/Irish people in those times literally changed the face of America and still has an impact on our lives today. Through ancient myth and song, I present the history and heart of the Celtic people who came to the Mid-West in search of freedom and opportunity.

The French Voyageurs: The First European Explorers

Journey down the inland waterways of the current Mid-West with Etienne Renault, a historical Voyageur, who traveled with LaSalle and Di Tonti down the inland waterways in the late 1600’s. Travel with these rugged men as they gambled everything on the chance to discover what lay around the next bend in the unexplored rivers of what was the wild western frontiers.

Life on the Prairie

Discover the rich history, in story and song, of the Illinois tall-grass prairie. This program focuses on several eras of pioneer history, with the steamboat era and tales of Abraham Lincoln being prominently featured.

Life as performing artist

I provide my personal take on my life as a performing artist. These insights go far beyond the life of a musician to focus on the motivation and passion needed to succeed in a musical career.

Educational Programs