Jesse James & Stephen Foster in Worthington!

We had a wonderful concert at the Nobles County Arts Center in Worthington last night.  In our post-concert discussion, we had some questions which I promised to follow up on today.  So here goes!

Q- Where is Camptown?  (as in Stephen Foster's song, Camptown Races)?

A - It's in Pennsylvania, near Athens and Towanda, where Foster lived as a young man.

Q- After the Jesse James' failed attempt to rob the Northfield bank, how long was it before he was murdered by one of his own gang members?

A- Jesse James escaped capture in Northfield in 1876.  Six years later, on April 3, 1882, he was shot in the back in his own home in St. Joseph, Missouri, where he had taken on the name of Thomas Howard.
 The governor of Missouri had promised Robert Ford and his brother a $10,000 reward for the murder of Jesse James, and after the murder they turned themselves in, but instead of the reward they were found guilty of first degree murder and sentenced to death by hanging.  The governor then gave them a full pardon, but only a fraction of the reward money.

Q - What happened to Jesse's older brother, Frank?

A - Five months after Jesse was murdered, Frank surrendered to the governor of Missouri, with the understanding that he would not be extradited to Northfield.  He said he was tired of the bandit life, and
tired of being hunted.   He was tried for two murder / robberies in Missouri, and was acquitted.  He worked at many jobs, including as a shoe salesman, until he died at age 72, in 1915.

Spoons in Pine River

Curtis plays the buffalo horn spoons.

Loretta sings "Uncle John is Sick Abed."

These photos were take at the Warehouse Community Center in Pine River.  

The concert was hosted by the Pine River Library, on September 21, 2010.

Southwest Minnesota, here we come

The show is almost on the road!   Just a few days now till we head out on the trail.  Here's Curtis loading the wagon  (well, the mini van).   Friday night, Oct 22 at Nobles County Art Center in Worthington, Saturday night, Oct 23 at the Princess Theater in St. James, and Sunday afternoon, Oct 24 at the Little Theatre in New London.   Join us for Minnesota Heritage in Song!   Please check our website for all the details.    www.curtisandloretta.com/touring.html

Photos from Crosslake Library

Here's photos from the concert at Crosslake Library on Sept 17.

Photos from Park Rapids Library Concert

Here's photos from Park Rapids Library, on September 22. The mural made a lovely backdrop!!

Southwest Minnesota tour

The next round of the concerts will be in southwestern Minnesota.
Friday, October 22, 7:30 pm, at Nobles County Arts Center in Worthington
Saturday, October 23, 7:00 pm, at Princess Theater in St. James
Sunday, October 24, 2:00 pm, at New London Little Theatre in New London

We're really looking forward to all three of these concerts! Please check our website for all the details.
www.curtisandloretta.com/touring.html