American Popular Music and Military Veterans

In his new program, “Popular Music and Veterans”, Jon Waterman supplements his well-received "Roots of American Popular Music" program with an exploration through songs of some of the experiences and sacrifices of veterans throughout American history. The program consists of songs, history, and an accompanying slideshow pertaining to some of the experiences of veterans of World War I, World War II, the Civil War and other conflicts alongside the history of popular music in America. This program is performed by Jon and Li Waterman as a duo.

About Jon and Li Waterman
Musician and songwriter Jon Waterman has been performing his original songs along with blues, rock and country standards throughout his life. His music is influenced by intriguing characters and stories from history, the roots of the music he loves, and the diversity of the human experience. His song “Sultana” which tells the story of the Civil War steamboat disaster was selected to be featured at the Sultana museum in Marion, AR. Waterman has presented his programs “A Journey Through the Roots of American Popular Music” and “Cro-Magnon Blues: History and Legends Through Song” in venues around the country, both in person and virtually. He has an M.A. in Popular Music History from Prescott College. Li is a classically trained guitarist and singer who formerly fronted the Rhode Island band Alien Tesh. She is also an artist and graduate of Museum School in Boston.    

This program is funded in part by a grant from the Sturbridge cultural council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.