Abraham Lincoln in Song
The life of Abraham Lincoln spanned a period of great change and growth in the state of Illinois. From his days as a flat-boater, through his time at New Salem, his years as a circuit lawyer and on up through his presidency, Lincoln’s life is a microcosm of the development of Illinois during that period. Award-winning folksinger Chris Vallillo uses historic narratives, contemporary folk music, and period folk songs Lincoln may well have known and sung, to bring Illinois’ favorite son and his times to life.
Chris Vallillo has spent over 30 years collecting, learning, and performing the roots music of the rural Midwest. He has conducted two major folklore collection projects, one of which now resides in the Library of Congress folklore collection in Washington, DC. Chris has performed at hundreds of schools, libraries, and festivals, as well as on television and radio. From 1990 through 1997, Chris hosted and co-produced an award winning, nationally syndicated performance radio program, Rural Route 3.
