530 Sixth Avenue East
Kalispell, Montana 59901
406-755-2236
tallsongs@yahoo.com
Publications
William Rossiter
Bill Rossiter spent ten years as an actor and club and coffeehouse entertainer during the 1960s and early 1970s, and then taught literature and folklore for 25 years and chaired the Humanities Division at Kalispell’s Flathead Valley Community College before retiring in 1999. In 2015 he received the Governor’s Award for Service to the Humanities in Montana.
Since about 1980 he has traveled throughout the Northwest, presenting songs and stories from various eras of American history, as well as teaching Elderhostels and short courses for teachers on the use of folklore in the classroom. Rossiter has a large repertoire of “roots music,” and has performed for western and heritage museums, arts and cultural centers, town festivals, and library series. He has performed and written music for theater and public television. He recently traveled throughout Idaho and Montana with the Smithsonian Institution’s traveling exhibits, “Barn Again!,” Key Ingredients” and “New Harmonies.”
Rossiter makes use of his background in folklore and literature to adapt and create presentations for specific groups and themes, and often writes a song for the sponsoring group or occasion.
Because Rossiter is from Montana, it is necessary for hosting groups to share in Bill’s travel costs. IHC will pay travel expenses from the stateline to the hosting site. Please discuss this additional expense with Bill before applying. (Out of Idaho mileage expense will be paid directly to Bill Rossiter by the host).
Presentations
All the News That’s Fit to Sing: Scandals, Sensations and Slanders in Song
Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
For Lincoln and Liberty Too: Songs from a House Divided
Going Out West to See the Elephant: How the West was Sung!
Magic Carpet Made of Steel: Railroad Songs and Lies
No Irish Need Apply
Once Upon A Tune: Musical Tales of Two Continents and Four Centuries
Songs for Your Supper
Who Shall Sing of the Valiant Woman
Load Sixteen Tons, and What Do You Get. . .? Working Men and Women “Sing It Like It Is”
Presentation Needs
None