Live Music Making History Live – for Schools
I create and perform programs that use music to inspire enthusiasm for and a desire to explore history. The shows consist of carefully researched original songs, traditional songs, stories and narratives and a slide show. Each program has a theme- currently the themes are “The Roots of American Popular Music”, “History and Legends” and “The Railroad in Song” with further themes being developed. The shows are constantly evolving. For more details on the programs, see below.
Exploring history promotes an appreciation of diversity and culture by helping us understand each other and ourselves. Celebrating history brings individuals together as a community, giving them a sense of identity from shared stories and experiences. History as a source of entertainment promotes critical thinking and an awareness and understanding of contemporary issues. For schools, looking at history through songs also provides the opportunity, in the case of traditional songs like “John Henry”, to consider the persepctives of the songs and their interpretations- providing an example of examining sources and a basic introduction to historiography.
The Railroad in Song
I am now offering “The Railroad in Song” for school assemblies and social studies classrooms. “The Railroad in Song” looks at the railroad in American history with songs about trains, railroad workers, the building of the railroad, train wrecks, heroes and hobos, and songs where the train appears as a symbol- often a symbol for freedom, or representing a passage through life. Some of the topics include the Transcontinental Railroad, the stories of Casey Jones and John Henry, the 1903 Ol’ 97 trainwreck, the contribution of Irish and Chinese laborers in the building of the railroad, the Great Migration and more. The show consists of songs, history, and an accompanying slideshow presentation.
For scheduling information and rates, please email me at [email protected]
The Railroad in Song: Full Program
Chapter 1: Introduction – the first railroads in the U.S., the first railroad songs
Chapter 2: The Transcontinental Railroad, Irish and Chinese laborers. Songs: Riley the Bum and Gum Shan Railway
Chapter 3: The story of John Henry, convict laborers, the Great Railroad Strike. Song: John Henry
Chapter 4: The story of Casey Jones. Song: The Ballad of Casey Jones
Chapter 5: Event songs and the Ol 97. Song: Wreck of the Ol 97
Chapter 6: Hobos. Song: Wabash Cannonball
Chapter 7: The Midnight Special
Chapter 8: The Great Migration, Railroad Porters and Civil Rights. Song: Northbound Train
Chapter 9: Railroad heroes and Jimmie Rodgers-“the singing brakeman”. Song: Ride with Jimmie Rodgers
The Railroad in Song: Sample version in video
1: Introduction – the first railroads in the U.S., the first railroad songs, Song: Waitin for a Train
2: The Transcontinental Railroad, Irish and Chinese laborers. Songs: Riley the Bum and Gum Shan Railway
3: The story of John Henry, Song: John Henry
4: The story of Casey Jones. Song: The Ballad of Casey Jones
5: The Great Migration, Railroad Porters and Civil Rights. Song: Northbound Train
“The Railroad in Song” debuted in 2023. Topics covered in the program include famed engineer Casey Jones, the contribution of Chinese workers building the Transcontinental Railroad, the railroad and immigrants, the history of “The Wreck of the Ol’ 97”, and more.
An overlooked and underappreciated chapter in U.S. history is the contribution of Chinese laborers in building the western portion of the Transcontinental Railroad. Unable to maintain a sufficient workforce, the Central Pacific Railroad, which had been awarded the contract for constructing the the western portion of the Transcontinental began recruiting Chinese workers in 1865. And by 1867 they made up the majority of the Central Pacific’s workforce. The Chinese workers were tasked with drilling and blasting tunnels through the Sierra Nevada mountains and the Nevada desert. They endured harsh and dangerous conditions, severe weather, and abuse while being paid less than the white workers on the same line. After the completion of the railroad in Promontory, UT, in 1869, the Chinese immigrants continued to be subjected to prejudice and discrimination, most famously from the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882.
In Guangdong Province, where most of the Chinese laborers were recruited, California- and the Western U.S. generally- was called “Gold Mountain” after the gold discovery of 1849. In Cantonese, the word for “gold mountain” was gum shan.
Musician, songwriter, and history enthusiast Jon Waterman has been performing his original songs along with blues, rock and country standards throughout his life. His music is influenced by characters and stories from history, the roots of the music he loves, and the diversity of the human experience. Waterman has presented his programs “A Journey through the Roots of American Popular Music” and “Cro-Magnon Blues: History and Legends through Song” in venues around the country, both in person and virtually. He has an MA in Popular Music History from Prescott College, an MA in Psychology from Kaplan University, and a BA in History from Northern Arizona University.
“A Journey Through the Roots of American Popular Music by Jon Waterman is a unique performance experience combining
music history, storytelling, and original songs inspired by his research. Waterman successfully transforms fascinating tales from
history into an evening-length performance that feels personal, contemporary, and politically relevant. A must see for anyone
interested in American history or American music!”– Sarah Slifer Swift, Director, MAGMA Gloucester