Topic starter
11/04/2008 4:40 pm
Hello, fellow river folks!
I am able to announce today that I've received a grant from the University of Saint Thomas in Saint Paul to pursue a research project entitled "A Comprehensive Technical, Historical, and Stylistic Analysis of the Steam Calliope on the Inland Waterways of the United States." The University has awarded me $4000 to conduct this research, which will involve interviews, archival digging, and travel plans to visit all remaining instruments. The end goal of this project will be to produce a paper and multimedia presentation, which will be the first of its kind: a summative reference on a musical instrument that is an overlooked part of the culturally significant American musical tradition.
I'm sure I'll be calling upon the many talents and stories of the steamboatin' community here on the dot-org boards and beyond. Receiving the grant would not have been possible without a bunch of people already: Travis, Doc, Dave Morecraft, Dad, and many others.
Stay tuned for more info, and a preemptive THANK YOU to all the assistance from everyone that I've come to appreciate to no end. We all really are a river family - what a terrific support network! I've never known better hospitality or more generous, kindhearted people.
11/04/2008 5:03 pm
Congrats, Jon!! But the work has just started :-)!
Carmen
11/04/2008 5:36 pm
Congrats, Jon...Travel plans....? you lucky dog.... 🙂 And I like the sound of a "multimedia presentation"....hope it eventually becomes offered to the public.
11/04/2008 7:07 pm
I'd like to add my congratulations to you. There you go making us proud again! I can't wait to see the end product. Sounds like another "River Rambling" program added to the series, doesn't it Keith?
11/04/2008 9:03 pm
Congradulations Jon!
I look forward to helping in any way I can and of course I cant wait to see the finished product!
Best wishes on what I know (based on your stupendous effort on the "Save the DELTA QUEEN" video) will be a great achievement!
~Travis~
12/04/2008 2:46 am
Wonderful news, Jonathan! They certainly knew how to pick the right person for the job - you do honor to any project you take on. Best wishes,
Pat
12/04/2008 4:20 am
Jon, that is truly wonderful! Congratulations on your grant.
Now, did anyone just think, wow, what a great S&D presentation that would make?
12/04/2008 8:50 pm
Frank,
I hope Jon is reading this...because this is the exact type of S&D Presentation I would move earth and water to attend!
Do you think I take this being a calliope fan a little too far? He, he, he!
~Travis~
Topic starter
12/04/2008 8:53 pm
Thank you all for your kind, supportive comments! And yes, I sincerely hope that I will be able to discuss my findings and give my multimedia presentation at S&D, MRB, the Howard Museum, and anyone else interested. It wouldn't be very generous of myself to not share the results!
12/04/2008 9:32 pm
'CONGRATS' ON THE CALLIOPE GRANT!
Hi, Jon and steamboating colleagues:
Congratulations on the grant! The hardest...but most rewarding...part is the in-depth research involved. One 'discovery' leads to another...and another...and another. You certainly came to the right place for information on the topic from all of the veteran musicians and experts in a list too long to enumerate here. You bet your program would be appropriate for an S&D meeting along with MRB etc., etc. There are some ancient newspaper references to early calliopes here in the Cincinnati area awaiting you to pluck them.
*If I find any sources of interest I'll forward to you privately. Don't forget other related steamboat sites on the Internet in which to put out an appeal.
Cheers,
R. Dale Flick