"Songs and Stories of the Civil War"

Jan. 30, 2012 - PRLog -- The Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation and the National Park Service are thrilled to welcome renowned historian and musician, Bobby Horton, as he presents “Songs & Stories of the Civil War” on Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at 7pm in the Historic 1885 SCH Auditorium.   Opening for Mr. Horton are musicians from the New Orleans Jazz National Historic Park performing “Songs of the Lower Mississippi Delta” including blues, Cajun music, jazz, zydeco, spirituals and a host of other lesser known folk music traditions.  The concert is free and open to the public.  Donations are encouraged.  

“Songs and Stories of the Civil War” transports audiences back in time to the most turbulent era in our nation's history.  Dressed as a 19th Century performer, using period musical instruments, Bobby Horton explores the stories of both the North and South through the music they loved.  Each song is placed in context with historical background and portrays the struggles, hopes, and fears of Americans during this long and bloody conflict.  These songs and stories tell of sweethearts and families left behind, fallen comrades, the hope of going home, and the pride, bravery, and patriotism of the volunteers who answered their country's call. This is not just a performance for Civil War buffs but for anyone who loves great music, inspired storytelling, and an evening of unforgettable entertainment.

Bobby Horton was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama.  His life long passion for music and history began at an early age.  With a trumpet playing father and a banjo-playing grandfather, he was exposed to a varied menu of music—from the sound of the big bands, jazz combos and classical to the old time sounds of Southern gospel, sacred harp, and “hillbilly” music.  Bobby Horton is widely recognized as one of the country’s leading authorities of music from the Civil War period.  Horton is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer, and music historian.  He has performed with the musical- comedy trio Three On a String, throughout the United States and Canada for 40 years.  He has also produced and performed music scores for thirteen PBS films by Ken Burns including “The Civil War”, and “Baseball,” two films for The A&E network, and sixteen films for The National Park Service.  His series of recordings of authentic period music has been acclaimed by historical organization and publications through America and Europe.

This concert is co-sponsored by the National Park Service and the Southern Cultural Heritage Center, and is made possible through a grant from the Lower Mississippi Delta Initiative. The goals of the Initiative are to preserve the lower Mississippi delta’s cultural and natural resources and to enhance heritage tourism within the region.

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The SCHF, a non-profit organization, maintains the Southern Cultural Heritage Center. The Center offers cultural, artistic, and educational enrichment for the community. The Center is a Mississippi Landmark property and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.