The 19th century was an exciting time for The United States. The most powerful military power in the world had been defeated by this up-start nation twice, and it was apparent the country was here to stay. Americans had plenty of optimism, plenty of land with plenty of resources needed for a prospering economy, and if you were not a slave, you had had freedoms no citizen of any previous society had ever experienced. The 1800's saw the music business grow and prosper as the American experience was documented in song. Songwriters captured the excitement of living in this young republic. They wrote about all aspects of everyday living: love, work, faith, death, family, politics, leaving home, dreaming of home, coming home, humor, and the experience of being a slave in mostly free country. Many of these 19th century songs are still loved and sung by adults and children in America today. This is a recording I have wanted to make for a ...