Stephen Foster and the Rise of American Music
From his first hit, “Oh Susannah” in 1848, through his death in 1864, Stephen Foster created music that touched millions, and lives on to this very day. In his lifetime, his songs were known and sung around the world and played a large part in the creation of an emerging popular American culture. Looking back, they also reflect the complex, tortuous relationship between black and white cultures of the young nation. Award-winning folksinger and songwriter Chris Vallillo presents the music of Stephan Foster and explores the impact of this legendary American icon and his music on American culture.
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.
