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 ... the American Revolution Entertaining and educational musical shows for all ages |
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. Songs and Stories of the American Revolution Dressed in Colonial garb, before a set of a Colonial tavern, Matthew takes audiences back in time to the days of the American Colonial settlement and the American Revolution. Using rousing period songsdand stories that put the songs into the context of the time, Matthew brings to life the exciting Days of 1776. Matthew sings and plays guitar, banjo and mandolin |
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 "That was extraordinary! I hope they have you every year!" -- a teacher after a school show "We love you!" -- middle school students after a performance |
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 |
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 ... one of the Colonists who helped make us a nation in the American Revolution 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 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 three shows just for kids Let's Sing Some Books! and Songs and Stories About Bugs Songs and stories About the Zoo |
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) |
For more information and bookings, call Matthew at (717) 766-0139 or e-mail Doddmatt@aol.com |
For more information and bookings, call Matthew at (717)766-0139 or e-mail Doddmatt@aol.com |
Songs and Stories of Old Canal Days |
Songs and Stories of the Civil War |
Songs and Stories of Old Railroad Days |
Songs and Stories of the Old West |
Songs and Stories for St. Patrick's Day |
Songs and Stories of Christmas |
Songs and Stories of Halloween |
Songs and Stories of Old Sailing Days |
.Matthew is also part of the rock and roll band Men and Machine For more information, visit their website: menandmachine.com |
Songs and Stories of the American Hobo |
Songs and Stories for Valentine's Day |
Songs and Stories of the Red, White and Blue |
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" |
Songs and Stories About Bugs |
Songs and Stories of the American Revolution |
Schedule for 2009 (as of 6- 5--09) (Watch for updates in the coming weeks) Matthew Dodd Presents Songs and Stories of the Civil War April 18 (2 pm)-- Granite Hill Camp Resort, Gettysburg, Pa April 18 (7:30 pm)--Gettysburg (Pa) KOA May 2-- Carroll County, Md, Farm Museum (3 pm) May 7-- retirement center May 16-- Gettysburg Campground May 19-- HACC of Gettysburg May 29 -- PennyPacker Mills, Schwencksville Pa (!! am) June 6-- National Civil war Museum, Harrisburg, Pa (noon) June 20-- National Civil War Museum, Harrisburg, Pa (day) July 1-- retirement center July 3-- Gettysburg KOA July 9- retirement center July 19-- Berks Co. Heritage Center, Reading, Pa Aug 29-- national Civil War Museum (noon) Songs and Stories of Old Railroad Days Jan 23-- Old McConnelsburg (Pa) Theater Jan 29--retirement center March 9-- Bernville Area (Pa) Library (1 pm) April 2--Lower Providence Library (7 pm) Eagleville, Pa May 9--Reading RR Museum, Hamburg Pa (day) June 7--Hagerstown (Md) Roundhouse Museum Aug 28-- retirement center Oct 10-- Nationa Toy Train Museum, Strasburg, Pa (10-4) October 11-- Pumkin Fest, Enola. Pa Nov 7-- Train Day, Ashland VA (tentative) Songs and Stories of Old Canal Days Jan 8-- Country Meadows West Shore, Mechanicsburg, Pa March 7-- C&O Canal Asso., Williamsport, Md Aug 23--, Williamsport (Md) Canal Days Oct 4-- Berks Co, Heritage Center, reading Pa Nov 10-- retirement center Songs and Stories of the Old West April 9-- (Part One) Country Meqadows West Shore Mechanicsburg, Pa (6:45 pm) April 10-- retirement center May 14-- (Part two) Country Meadows West Shore June 5-- Pa Dutch Campground, Manheim, Pa June 22-- retirement center July 7-- Manheim (Pa) Public Library (2:30 pm) Aug 27-- essex House, Lemoyne, Pa Sept 22- Claremont, Carlisle, Pa Songs and Stories of Old Sailing Days March 24-- retirement center May 3-- Stone Harbor (NJ) Boat and Seafood Festival May 13-- retirement center July 26-- Fort Whaley Canmp Resort, Ocean City, Md Aug 31-- Holly Shores Camp Resort, Cape May, NJ Sept 10--Country Meadows, Mechanicsburg, pa Songs and Stories of the American Hobo March 4-- Iris Club, , Lancaster, Pa March 26-- retirement center June 16-- pike co. Historical Society, Shohola, Pa Aug 19-- retirement center Aug 26-- camp Eder, Fairfiled, Pa Nov 14-- Train Day, Ashland Va (tentative) Songs and Stories of the American Revolution Feb 16-- retirement center April 24-- Morristown (NJ) Natiuonal Historic Park June 11-- Country Meadows, Mechanisburg, Pa June 28--Town Museum, Williamsport, Md July 30--Essex House, Lemoyne, Pa Songs and Stories for St. Patrick's Day March 12,13, 16,17--retirement centers Songs and Stories of Halloween Oct 8--Coiuntry Meadows, Mechanicsburg, Pa Octr 22-- retirement center Oct 23-- Gettysburg KOA Oct 30-- Gettysburg KOA Oct 31-- retirement center Songs and Stories of Christmas Nov 27, 28, 29-- Hotel Hershey (Pa) Dec 3-- Essex House, Lemoyne., Pa Dec 5,6,12,13, 19, 20-- Hotel Hershey Songs and Stories for Valentine's Day Feb.12, 14, - retirement center Songs and Stories of the Red, White and Blue May 23-- Morris Meadows Camp Resort, Freeland Md May 35-- retirement center June 11-- retirement center July 2-- retirement center Oct 7-- Iris Club, Lancaster, Pa Nov 9-- senior center, Schuylkill Haven, a Songs and Stories of Summer June 21-- retirement center July 12-- Pennypacker Mills, Schwenksville, Pa Aug 4-- retirement center Aug 13-- retirement center |
Photo courtesy of Pennypacker Mils, Schwencksville, Pa |
