Historian, songwriter, and storyteller Barry Cloyd will be the guest performer at a Collaborative Lecture sponsored by Historic Elsah Foundation and the Chautauqua Historical Society at Farley Music Hall, Sunday, June 7, 2015 at 2 PM.
Cloyd’s topic will be The Drummer Boy of Shiloh, telling the story of the American Civil War from the perspective of a young teen, the story told in song and narration. The Drummer Boy of Shiloh tells the story of the Civil War through the eyes of Joseph Henry Monroe. While there were many drummer boys who served in the war, Mr. Monroe was the youngest drummer boy to enlist in the war effort, when he was merely 12 years old. He led the troops at Shiloh, was captured by the Rebels, was imprisoned, and escaped from that prison and made his way back to his unit to continue to fight in many significant battles. The story of the war is presented through the music, mostly written by the soldiers themselves.
Barry tells us “Mr. Monroe was a musician throughout his life…more of that story later…I don’t want to give it all away. But the songs and stories of this terribly tragic war are presented as signposts of the actual history that was being created at that time. In it I portray Mr. Monroe as an adult…looking back on his time in the war (he was merely 16 when it ended). The music is delivered with vocals, guitar, 5-string banjo and Dobro slide guitar. Some of the songs are my original pieces…in particular the story/song of Joseph Henry Monroe and the battle of Shiloh, which is the opening piece of the show. It’s titled “Shiloh Train”.
Barry has co-written, produced and toured more than 20 original folk musicals, written more than 350 songs, and has appeared in over 300 TV commercials and 70 industrial films, some of which have been shown internationally. He is also a regular guest on radio and television programs wherever he travels. Barry is featured in a Prairie Folklore Theatre documentary film project entitled “Voices for the River” (funded by the Illinois EPA).
The lecture is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served following the lecture. Reservations are not required. Parking is available.
For additional information and a digital copy of an informational poster, contact Tim Tomlinson, Historic Elsah Foundation, 618-374-1518, text a request to 618-513-7119, or email a request to [email protected]