Although the American heritage is influenced by many cultures from around the world, American folk and popular music are built primarily upon the influences of African and British Isles peoples’ music. Using some of our best-loved folk songs as a stepping off point, Mark’s engaging stories trace these songs through decades of American history, and shows how the songs changed with the social issues of the day. Through banjo and guitar, this program offers a slice of Americana, featuring songs, oral histories, demonstrations and the music of folk artists like Lead Belly and Woody Guthrie.

Mark Dvorak is a folk singer’s folk singer who follows unerring in the footsteps of Woody Guthrie, Lead Belly, Big Bill Broonzy and Art Thieme. With an extensive repertoire, the result of decades of ongoing research into American folk arts, he is an educator and musician whose performances are steeped in American cultural history.

Recorded Saturday, September 20, 2008 at Villa Park Public Library.