Historically Based Songs of the Snake and Salmon River Regions

Gary Eller will demonstrate older songs of the Snake and Salmon River regions and their historical underpinnings, as well as newer songs that he and others have written. Songs of this type provide a valuable alternative to written text in preserving, interpreting and communicating fascinating pieces of Idaho's cultural legacy. Through these folk songs he will share anecdotes about interesting Idaho individuals, places and events. Eller will also discuss his efforts to collect and write these songs. He will report on his scholarly research efforts to collect songs, the current state of knowledge, and the approach he is taking to unearth additional songs of this type. Through the presentation and resulting discussion, it is hoped that additional songs of this type will be uncovered.