Matthew Dodd
Presents
Songs and Stories
of...
...The Civil War
...Old Railroad Days
...The Old West
...Old Canal Days
... Old Sailing Days
... the American Hobo
Entertaining and educational musical shows
for all ages
Dressed in period clothing, Matthew
takes listeners back in time to one or other of six fascinating periods of American history, using songs from each period and stories (humorous and poignant) that show what it was like to be...
... a soldier of the North or South, civilian or loved-one-at-home or escaped slave in the days of the Civil War
... a rail splitter, track layer, passenger, engineer, brakeman or switchman or railroader's wife and child in the days of steam trains
... one of the canal diggers, blasters and workmen or canal boatman, lock tenders or mule drivers, canal wife or child in old canal days
... one of the explorers, pioneers, prospectors, soldiers, gunfighters, American Indians, and lawmen of the Old West
... one of the ordinary seamen who "sailed before the mast" in the days of the great sailing ships
... one of the Knights of the Road who rode the rails in the early 1900's looking for work and total freedom
And celebrate the holidays with
Songs and Stories
of
Christmas
Halloween
St. Patrick's Day
Valentine's Day
the Red, White and Blue
Summer
with songs and stories of each sesaon, featuring the legends and true stories behind the customs and symbols of each season. And a show that features and tells the fascinating stories behind America's greatest patriotic songs
Throughout the various shows, Matthew sings and plays guitar, harmonica, banjo, mandolin, concertina, recorder and dulcimer.
For more information and bookings ,
call Matthew at (717)766-0139
or e-mail Doddmatt@aol.com
Songs and Stories of the Civil War
Songs and Stories
of the Civil War
Dressed in period soldier's clothing, Matthew Dodd takes listeners back in time to feel what it was like to be a soldier, civilian, loved-one-at-home or escaped slave in the Civil War Era. Through period songs, excerpts from actual letters, and anecdotes (humorous and poignant) Matthew evokes the feelings and passions of that pivotal era of American history. Matthew bypasses the stories of the generals and the battle movements and concentrates on the feelings and stories of the individual soldier (North and South) , the mother, father, or sweetheart left at home, and of the men and women who "followed the drinking gourd" to freedom. Matthew sings and plays acoustic guitar, harmonica, banjo and mandolin in an informal campfire or story circle setting.
Songs and Stories of
Old Railroad Days
Dressed in old-time railroader clothes, Matthew Dodd takes listeners on a journey through time, featuring railroad songs, (new, old and even older!), plus stories of famous trains, train wrecks, famous engineers, brakemen, famous passengers and railroad builders; railroad legends and ghosts, railroad lore, jokes and superstitions, and more! Matthew sings and plays acoustic guitar, harmonica, banjo and mandolin.
Songs and Stories of
Old Canal Days
Dressed in period clothing, Matthew takes listeners back in time to feel what life was like for the men, women and children who ran the boats and tended the mules on the old canals and of the lock tenders who served dawn to dawn at the canal locks. Matthew has collected a variety of songs written by the folks who were there, and he uses background stories (some humorous, some serious) to put the songs in the context text of the times. Matthew sings and plays acoustic guitar, harmonica, banjo and mandolin.
Songs and Stories of
The Old West
Dressed in period clothing, around a "cowboy campfire at sunset", Matthew takes listeners back in time to the days of the men and women, the explorers, the pioneers, the prospectors, the Native Americans, the Rangers, the cowboys, the cavalrymen, the gunfighters and the lawmen that made the Old West the most romantic and fascinating era of American history . Using traditional Western songs, true stories and tall tales, plus many, many fascinating little-known facts, Matthew brings the Old West back to life once more. You'll feel like you were really there! Matthew sings and plays guitar, banjo, harmonica, mandolin, recorder, and concertina.
Songs and Stories of
Old Sailing Days
Dressed in1800's seamen's clothes, around a set of a ship's forecastle, Matthew takes listeners back to the days when men spent years "before the mast" on the great square-rigged sailing ships-- the merchantmen, the navy men, the whalers, the fishermen, the pirates and the privateers. Matthew uses true stories and "yarns" plus ballads and sea shanties (the unforgettable work songs of the average sailor) to tell of the daily life, the hardships, the dangers, the superstitions and the extraordinary adventures (at sea and in port) of the men who sailed the world on deep sea ships, and of the women who waited for their return. Matthew sings and plays guitar, mandolin, banjo and concertina.
Songs and stories of
The American Hobo
Dressed in accurate period clothing, around a hobo-jungle campfire, Matthew sings and tells the true stories of the "Knights of the Road", who rode the rails in, on and under boxcars from job to job and town to town in the early 1900's. Matthew uses period songs and stories from hobo autobiographies to tell how the true hobo (not a tramp or a bum) lived and why he chose that unique style of life. Matthew sings and plays guitar, harmonica, banjo and mandolin to recreate the hobo philosophy.
And coming soon:
Songs and Stories
of the
American Revolution
Songs and Stories of
Old Railroad Days
Songs and Stories of the Old West
Songs and Stories of
Old Sailing Days
Songs and Stories of
the American Hobo
For more information and bookings,
call Matthew at (717) 766-0139
or e-mail Doddmatt@aol.com
Songs and Stories
for
St. Patrick's Day
Sure'n 'tis a time for the Irish as Matthew uses traditional Irish songs plus stories and legends to let folks know what St. Patty's Day is all about and why he is so dear to the Irish people. And you'll feel Irish too as Matthew tells the stories and sings the songs of life in Ireland, of the Irish fight for independence, of their coming to America and of the new life they made here, along with their humor and customs-- the leprechaun, the shillelagh, the shamrock, the wearin' of the green, the Blarney stone, the famous Irish blessings, and more
(Perfect for any time of the year you want to have a wee bit of the Irish)
Songs and Stories for
St. Patrick's Day
Songs and Stories of
Christmas
Matthew presents a lively, fun Christmas show featuring Christmas songs both new and old for kids and grown-ups alike. He sings the songs we all know and love, sometimes with funny alternate verses, many of which he makes up as he goes along. Matthew also tells the stories behind such songs as Silent Night and Good King Wenceslas. Plus he tells stories of holiday customs around the world, and he personalizes famous songs by adding verses using names of folks in the audience. It's a sing-along, laugh-along heart-warming Christmas time!
Songs and Stories of Halloween
Matthew takes listeners on a spooky, scary and fascinating trip through Halloween with songs and stories about ghosts (real, unreal, famous and infamous), haunted houses (some in your neighborhood!) witches, werewolves and vampires. Plus fascinating stories on the history of Halloween and its many symbols and customs (jack-o-lanterns, trick-or-treat, etc.). Matthew sings and plays guitar, banjo and mandolin in an informal campfire or story circle setting.
Songs and Stories for
Valentine's Day
Featuring the stories behind our Valentine's traditions (who was Valentine? Who was Cupid?) plus stories of Valentine customs throughout the ages, and the true story behind fampus couples (Romeo and Juliet, Frankie and Johnny, Elizabeth and Robert Browning) all mixed wityh great love songs and poems from the middle ages to the present. For the romantic in all of us!
Songs and Stories of
the Red, White and Blue
For any time of the year, but especially for around the patriotic holidays, this show features America's greatest patriotic songs (The Star Spangled Banner, America the Beautiful, You're a Grand Old Flag, Yankee Doodle, This Land is Your Land, et. al.) and tells the fascinating and inspiring stories behind their composition and of the people who wrote them. All with a backdrop of the flags from each of the periods in which they were written.
Songs and Stories of
Summer
Featuring lots of great summer songs from the last 100 years, plus humorous stories of summertime in the good ol' USA. A great relaxing sing-a-long time!
and two shows just for kids
Let's Sing Some Books!
and
Songs and Stories About Bugs
Schedule for 2008
(as of 5- 12--08)
(Watch for updates in the coming weeks)
Matthew Dodd
Presents
Songs and Stories of
the Civil War
April 19--Gettysburg (Pa) KOA
May 3-- Carroll County, Md, Farm Museum (3 pm)
May 9-- re-enactment, Montoursville Pa
May 17-- Gettysburg Campground
May 18-- Elmcroft of Shippensburg, Pa
May 30 -- PennyPacker Mills, Schwencksville Pa (!! am)
June 16-- Gettysburg KOA
July 1-- retirement center
July 4-- Gettysburg KOA
July 12-- Nat. Civil War Museum, Harrisburg Pa (day)
Oct 19-- retirement center
Songs and Stories of
Old Railroad Days
April 12-- Readin RR Museum, Hanover, Pa (10 am)
May 31-- Dutch Wonderland, Lancaster, Pa
June 1-- Dutch Wonderland
June 8-- Hagerstown (Md) Roundhouse Museum
June 22-- Creekside Cultural Center, Lenhartsville, Pa
June 28-- Fredericksburg (Va) Area Museum
Aug 16-- Loose Caboose camp resort, Kinzers, Pa
Aug. 26-- retirement center
Sept 3-- retirement center
October 12-- Pumkin Fest, Enola. Pa
Sept 19-- Concert in Park, Manahawkin NJ (tentative)
Nov 8-- Train Day, Ashland VA (tentative)
Nov 20-- Historic Society of Somerset Hills,
Basking Ridge, NJ
Songs and Stories of
Old Canal Days
Jan 10-- Country Meadows West Shore, Mechanicsburg, Pa
March 14-- Kutztown Folk Music Society
July 20-- Berks Co. Heritage Society Step Back in Time Festival, Reading, PA
Oct 5--, Williamsport (Md) Canal Days
Songs and Stories of
the Old West
April 10-- (Part One) Country Meqadows West Shore
Mechanicsburg, Pa (6:45 pm)
May 8-- (Part two) Country Meadows West Shore
July 30-- private party
Songs and Stories of
Old Sailing Days
May 4-- Stone Harbor (NJ) Boat and Seafood Festival
May 14-- retirement center
May 20-- retirement center
July 10-- Country Meadows, Mechanicsburg, Pa (6:45 pm)
July 13-- Holly Shores Camp Resort, Cape May, NJ
Sept 13-- Cape May (NJ) Historical Society
Songs and Stories of
the American Hobo
Nov 10-- Train Day, Ashland Va (tentative)
Songs and Stories for
St. Patrick's Day
March 6, 8, 12,15,16--retirement centers
March 8-- private party
March 11- Atglen (Pa) Library
March 13-- Country Meadows West Shore (6:45)
March 17-- York Springs (Pa) Historic Society
March 18-- HACC of Gettysburg, Pa (8;30 and 10 am)
Songs and Stories of
Halloween
Oct 24-- Gettysburg KOA
Oct 26-- Harrisburg (Pa) Country Club
Oct 28-- retirement center
Oct 30-- retirement center
Songs and Stories of Christmas
Dec 6-- Harrisburg (PA) Country Club
Nov 28, 29, 30, 25, Dec 6, 7, 13,14, 21,22 - Hotel Hershey, Hershey, Pa
Songs and Stories for Valentine's Day
Feb. 9-- Atglen (Pa) LIbrary (11 am)
Feb. 10, 13, 14, 15- retirement center
Songs and Stories of
the Red, White and Blue
May 13-- HACC of Gettysburg
May 27-- retirement center
June 12-- Country Meadows West Shore,
Mechanicsburg Pa (6:45 pm)
June 13-- retirement center
June 18-- retirement center
June 29-- retirement center
July 6-- Fort Whaley Camp Resort, Whaleyville, Md
Songs and Stories of Summer
Aug 3-- Pennypacker Mills, Schwenksville, Pa
Aug14-- Country Meadows, Mechanicsburg Pa (6:45)
Songs and Stories About Bugs
June 6-- Atglen (Pa) Library, 2 pm
June 24-- Mount Carmel (Pa) LIbrary (10:30 am)
June 25-- Tremont (Pa) Library (1 pm)
uly 2-- Simpson Library,
Mechanicsburg, Pa (10:30 am)
July 8-- Lebanon (Pa) LIbrary (11 am)
July 17-- Bethel-Tulpehcken Liobrary
Bethel, Pa (11 am)
Jluy 24-- Kaltreider-Benfer Library, Red Lion, Pa (6:30pm)
Songs and Stories of Old Canal Days
Songs and Stories of Halloween
Songs and Stories of Christmas
Songs and Stopries About Bugs
Testimonials for the Shows:
"Your program was wonderful, and we thoroughly enjoyed having you as part of our schedule of activities. Your program truly gave visitors a chance to experience history from a unique perspective."
--Coordinator, Canal Place, Cumberland, MD
"Sir, you are a musician, a historian and an entertainer,"
--a Confederate Re-Enactor
"I have not seen that much enthusiasm and toe-tapping here in quite a while! Everyone is still talking about the show and how much they enjoyed it!"
--Activities Director, Retirement Center
"This is the best show we've ever had here!"
-- resident at a retrirement center
(said numerous times at various sites)
"You really brought back the memories!"
--a retired Railroader
"Your show was superb! Everyone loved it. And the horses loved it too!"
--Director, horse rescue ranch
"You really have a passion for it."
--audience member
"You are to be commended for your knowledge of the canal era."
--canal historian and boat-model builder
"I wanted someone to tell stories like Mark Twain and sing songs too. You were perfect!"
--historian's wife after his 50th birthday party
"I just want to say, you sir, are an inspiration and a revelation for many. It's easy to learn the songs, but it
takes dedication to learn OF the songs. I am glad there are still people dedicated to not forgetting history, and keeping it very much alive."
--"Johnny Reb", re-encactor
"You are a national treasure."
-- member of the Surratt Society
Songs and Stories for Valentine's Day
Songs and Stories of the Red, White and Blue
Here are some of the places
Matthew Dodd
has performed one or more of his
Songs and Stories shows:
Gettysburg Tourist Bureau Civil War lecture Series
C&O Canal Days, Cumberland, Md
C&O Canal National Park (various sites)
Pennypacker Mills,Schwenksville,PA
Gettysburg (Pa) KOA
Gettysburg Campground
Harper's Ferry (WVA) KOA
Antietam/Hagerstown (MD) KOA,
Phipps Conservatory, Pittsburgh PA
Wilmington and Western Railroad
West Chester Railroad
Milton Historical Society
Allentown Historical Society
Civil War Re-enactments
junior-high and elementary schools
Hbrg Area Com. College Gettysburg Campus
Hbrg Area Com. College, Lebanon Campus
Lebanon Valley, Pa, College
Johnstown Vacation Bureau Picnic
Middletown/Hummelstown RR
various retirement centers
YMCA camps
Catassaqua (Pa ) Historical Society
Thornbury Historical Society
Walnutport (Pa) Canal Festival
Landis Valley Museum
Rockwood (Pa) Rivers and Rails Festival
Carroll County (MD) Farm Musum
Hotel Hershey, Hershey PA
Fell's Point Maritime Museum, Baltimore Md
Maryland Historical Society, Baltimore, Md.
Brunswick (Md.) Rail and Canal Museum
Berks Co. Heritage Society, Reading, Pa
Atlantic Co. (N..J.) Historical Society
Hotel Hershey, Pa
Surratt Society, Clinton MD
Sea Witch Festival, Rehobeth Beach DE
Sailing Festival, Stone Harbor NJ
Allegheny Portage RR National Hist. Site
Fredericksburg (VA) Museum
scout camps
libraries
Orwigsburg, Pa, Historical Society
East Pennsboro, Pa, Historical Society
Iron Heritage Festival, Danville, Pa
Havre deGrace, Md, Maritime Museum
Union Canal Days, Lebanon, Pa
Ship Borttom, NJ, Concerts by the Bay
Harrisburg Country Club
Tamaqua Pa Train Station
Train Days, Ashland Va
Foret Belvoir Yacht Club, Wash. D.C.
Schuylkill Canal Asso.
Ocoquan, Va., Historic Society
Spring Grove, Pa., Historical society
You can see a short video of the show
Songs and Stories of Old Railroad Days
by going to youtube.com
In "search", type in "Songs and Stories of Old Railroad Days" and click search. The video is in two parts-- part one is "Songs and Stories of Old Railroad Days" and part two is "More Songs and Stories of Old Railroad Days"
For more information and bookings,
call Matthew at (717)766-0139
or e-mail Doddmatt@aol.com
.Matthew is also part of the rock and roll band
Men and Machine
For more information, visit their website:
menandmachine.com
