Arts

Show recreates the life and work of ‘The Old Country Fiddler,” Charles Ross Taggart

BELLOWS FALLS — Adam Boyce of West Windsor is set to portray famed Vermont fiddler Charles Ross Taggart through the Vermont Humanities Council at 7 p.m., Monday, May 13, at the Masonic Temple Club in Bellows Falls.

This program is also sponsored by the Rockingham Free Public Library, with support from the Friends of the Rockingham Library.

Born in Washington, D.C. in 1871, Taggart grew up in Topsham, and lived in Newbury for many years.

He was a musical humorist, and, starting in 1895, performed in lyceum and Chautauqua circuits across North America for more than 40 years, including the famous Red Path Chautauqua bureau of Chicago.

Taggart made at least 40 recordings with the Victor, Edison, and Columbia companies, and appeared in a 1923 Phono-Film “talkie” four years before Al Jolson starred in “The Jazz Singer.”

Boyce, a living-history presenter, portrays Taggart reflecting on his long career circa 1936, interspersing live fiddling and humorous sketches.

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